The Value is in the Journey, not the Destination

[Dissident]

I'm new to the Isis (received mine for christmas) and was lucky enough to open it after a 26 hour insomnia session. Now that I've progressed to where one might actually win prizes, I'm becoming a bit put off by the people also seeking prizes. A lot of people (not all) are acting like they MUST win a prize or the whole Isis adventure is worthless. They are completely missing the point; the Isis is an intellectual journey. The riddles are for your enjoyment, and are part of a path towards cerebral enlightenment. If you are only interested in monetary gain, go get a job.

The whole situation can be summed up with a quote I heard about the famous mathmatician Euclid......

A young pupil of Euclid's asked what he would gain by taking the time to learn Geometry. In response Euclid called a slave over and said "Give this man a coin, since he obviously must make gains by what he learns."

Hopefully we can all try to enjoy more of what we have, and spend less time coveting that which we desire.

True wealth is measured with the mind, not the purse.

[BLueSS]

Thanks for your opinion.

[ChadH]

Actually, I think a lot of the people are in it for the challenge rather than the monetary gain.

I personally would love to win a gold coin - whilst the prize money would be nice, I would earn that money 20 times over with the amount of time I've wasted on working out passwords. For me, it's all about the challenge, and the ability to say 'I did it'!

[NoHeat]

I agree however I can tell you when trying to solve my riddle it quickly became that the answer was all I cared about,. I got to the point where I didnt care about the prize I had to know what the answwer was. Few days after I started my riddle it was solved and I wasn't even mad just asked Puzz for an explanation and he gave it to me and when I saw how the answer was reached I was like thats amazing. So while many may start for the money or prize like myself they may soon find themselves becoming more concerned about the answer then the money. On the flip side I learned a lot about the marines and wine that I never knew before I started my riddle.

[Dissident]

I agree with the two of you completely, and that is the idea I'm trying to get across; ENJOY IT!! I just noticed a couple posts where people were saying they were giving up, not going to continue with Isis II, blah blah, whine whine, cry cry..... Ultimately, some people won't be happy no matter what you do. It will either be too hard, which inhibits their ability to win... or it will be too easy, which will inhibit their ability to win by increasing the ratio of challengers to potential prizes. I'm hoping to give a little perspective and help redefine a few notions of success.

I better get off my soapbox before someone notices.....

[BLueSS]

I just noticed a couple posts where people were saying they were giving up, not going to continue with Isis II, blah blah, whine whine, cry cry.....

Most of those from what I saw were people from the US complaining about the false advertising by The Sharper Image, and getting something different from what they were told they were buying for $200. I'm in the same group with them, I think TSI has done a shitty job regarding the Isis, however after seeing what it really is, I still like it and can overlook TSI's horrible mistakes for now...

[Anthony247365]

American<---- not complaining about the fact that i cant win a prize, only the fact that 200 bucks lasted me an hour lol.

I think a 10,000 piece jigsaw puzzle with pieces that dont lock are more challenging and they cost like 11.99, but dont look nearly as cool and when you open an isis it gives your a great sense of acomplishment, cause after all u did solve the "hardest" puzzle out there

[Santeh]

I just noticed a couple posts where people were saying they were giving up, not going to continue with Isis II, blah blah, whine whine, cry cry.....

Most of those from what I saw were people from the US complaining about the false advertising by The Sharper Image, and getting something different from what they were told they were buying for $200. I'm in the same group with them, I think TSI has done a shitty job regarding the Isis, however after seeing what it really is, I still like it and can overlook TSI's horrible mistakes for now...

Hello!

Forgive me, yet what exactly did TSI do that you may have felt was not good? Have they changed their product description to help correct any confusion? While the Isis is not listed in their printed catalogue, it is on TSI's website. And, after having read this, I did not see anything overtly wrong saved maybe taking issue with the point that some do not feel this to be "the most difficult puzzle ever." Yet, in TSI defense, they do have a "?" after the phrase...

Just curious...

[ChadH]

One part of the description is complete and utter rubbish. I won't say what as I don't want to give anything away - I'll leave it to those affilliated with SW. However, I'm glad I didn't try to open mine using their description!

[Santeh]

One part of the description is complete and utter rubbish. I won't say what as I don't want to give anything away - I'll leave it to those affilliated with SW. However, I'm glad I didn't try to open mine using their description!

Hmmm. This is very curious to me. Yet, since I do not own an Isis I cannot say for sure. Yet from what I have read about the Isis from both TSI and other sources (such as here) I do not immediately see the discrepancy you mention. Do you feel the difference you note in function makes the Isis not worth its $200 price? Again, though, the allure of the adventure does weigh...

[BLueSS]

Forgive me, yet what exactly did TSI do that you may have felt was not good?

Three of the points on their webpage are highly inaccurate and can land them into legal trouble for false advertising. TSI Isis Link

Without giving too much away, points 2, 4, and 5 are the ones.
5 is about the prizes you can win afterward. And since the physical pyramids aren't in the US yet (just virtual ones worth $500, instead of $1,000) they are advertising a prize that hasn't existed to this day, since the Isis came out in the US.

In addition, the workers have been giving customers in the stores false information regarding how the reward system works (the "more information" tab on their product page actually gets it right though). You can say it's because they're ignorant, but they're still ignorant. The Isis didn't come out last week; they've had time to have their employees get their act together, but they haven't.

Have they changed their product description to help correct any confusion?

Nope

And, after having read this, I did not see anything overtly wrong saved maybe taking issue with the point that some do not feel this to be "the most difficult puzzle ever." Yet, in TSI defense, they do have ( 12 )a "?" after the phrase...

That isn't the problem, but...

I do not own an Isis.

That is. If you get an Isis the problems will be clear.

One part of the description is complete and utter rubbish. I won't say what as I don't want to give anything away - I'll leave it to those affilliated with SW. However, I'm glad I didn't try to open mine using their description!

Yet from what I have read about the Isis from both TSI and other sources (such as here) I do not immediately see the discrepancy you mention. Do you feel the difference you note in function makes the Isis not worth its $200 price?

Paying $200 for something different than what you thought you were buying is always a problem. Yes, in some ways it's not worth the price as much for me if I were to go out and buy one today. I received mine as a gift, and am still happy with what SonicWarp is trying to do with the prize system in the US (as I mentioned in my first post about this).

Strictly as a puzzle, I don't think it's worth $200. With the other adventure part of it (when it finally comes to the US), it will be worth it. Right now with the virtual pyramid stuff, it's in the middle.

[Santeh]

Without giving too much away, points 2, 4, and 5 are the ones.
5 is about the prizes you can win afterward.

Even after re-reading the points on TSI's webpage I still do not see the problems for the write-ups seem to be consistent with what I have read from other places. But I shall see after I get my Isis puzzle. Very interesting, though...

And since the physical pyramids aren't in the US yet (just virtual ones worth $500, instead of $1,000) they are advertising a prize that hasn't existed to this day, since the Isis came out in the US.

I also was surprised when I read on this forum that there was no treasure hunt in the U.S. and, to be honest, that almost was a deal breaker for me as half of my interest in the Isis puzzle is the adventure. Specifically, I have a keen interest in having a chance to go on a quest of sorts with my wife as I thought this traveling adventure would give her and I something very fun to do together. And, quite, when I mentioned traveling around looking for a reward after deciphering clues she was excited about it! I suppose it was a good thing that I found out about the Isis Adventure in late 2007 instead of 2006 so that the treasure hunt can be real.

In addition, the workers have been giving customers in the stores false information regarding how the reward system works (the "more information" tab on their product page actually gets it right though). You can say it's because they're ignorant, but they're still ignorant. The Isis didn't come out last week; they've had time to have their employees get their act together, but they haven't.

I am more comfortable with the situation now as I have been fortunate to read about the Isis Adventure before going to a Sharper Image. Thus I have had little interaction with TSI employees regarding the puzzle. FWIW, one TSI sales person I spoke to on the phone was quick to deny selling a floor model (they were out of stock) as they knew that they were not supposed to sell opened, used puzzles. Although my question to the employee was not meant to be a test in any way, I was impressed with them.

I do not own an Isis.

That is. If you get an Isis the problems will be clear.

As I mentioned, very interesting...

One part of the description is complete and utter rubbish. I won't say what as I don't want to give anything away - I'll leave it to those affilliated with SW. However, I'm glad I didn't try to open mine using their description!

I will keep this in mind as I do not want to damage the Isis puzzle. Does SW have instructions on use that go beyond the one's in the box the Isis puzzle comes in?

Paying $200 for something different than what you thought you were buying is always a problem. Yes, in some ways it's not worth the price as much for me if I were to go out and buy one today. I received mine as a gift, and am still happy with what SonicWarp is trying to do with the prize system in the US (as I mentioned in my first post about this).

Strictly as a puzzle, I don't think it's worth $200. With the other adventure part of it (when it finally comes to the US), it will be worth it. Right now with the virtual pyramid stuff, it's in the middle.

I see. I am glad, then, that only half of my interest is in the puzzle part and the other half is in the physical treasure hunt that is coming to the U.S. in 2008.

For the puzzle part, I do not feel I am very good at games such as this so I am looking forward to the challenge. For the adventure half, as noted I think it would be wonderful fun to travel around with my wife and both see new places with her as well as have a bit of a quest to go on at the same time!

Thank you, though, for all of your time and insight! Knowing as much as I can about the Isis puzzle before I buy should be very helpful in the whole adventure!

Always...

[mja1962]

Does anybody have a problem with this statement on TSI's website? (I do):

Each band is etched with hieroglyphics; the challenge is to position those bands in the right combination to unlock the ISIS

Michael

[BLueSS]

Does anybody have a problem with this statement on TSI's website? (I do):

Each band is etched with hieroglyphics; the challenge is to position those bands in the right combination to unlock the ISIS

Michael

Yes, as I posted earlier:

Three of the points on their webpage are highly inaccurate and can land them into legal trouble for false advertising. TSI Isis Link

Without giving too much away, points 2, 4, and 5 are the ones.

[Santeh]

Does anybody have a problem with this statement on TSI's website? (I do):

Each band is etched with hieroglyphics; the challenge is to position those bands in the right combination to unlock the ISIS

Michael

Perhaps it is just an issue of definition for, perhaps, TSI was not considering the top and bottom pieces as bands? Beyond that all the placentas (bands) have hieroglyphics.

Just a thought...