3 rounds of Xplore, 2 days each...

[CharlieFortsConscience]

The new explore adventure - it's close to the insane pressure of the last CASP. 410 is active, as is the Lymph puzzle… Throwing in 3 rounds of Xploration with such short endpoints needs a much more folder-friendly way?

[Tony Origami]

I like short duration puzzles and it is good to have a mix of different durations. I don't think we need to feel any pressure.

[CharlieFortsConscience]

First 2 rounds of Xplore have been fun; it's close to the notion of 'Hands only puzzles'… The CASP pressure refers to summer last year, when there were 4 or 5 live puzzles at any one moment, with short deadlines. I'm merely trying to add to the feedback voice, that this implementation of the new exploration puzzle, needs a tweak or three, to get it right.

[Tony Origami]

Fair enough. I wasn't there for CASP but I can imagine that 4 or 5 puzzles would increase the pressure quite a bit.

[beta_helix]

I am very happy to get feedback on this as we have been wondering about the Foldit puzzle load recently.

Since CASP ended we have decreased the number of active puzzles but we have also worried that maybe there weren't enough puzzles and you might get bored.

For example, if all that is up is a Beginner Puzzle and a Quest to the Native then some players might not be down with that.

I think this week is a good example of too many difficult puzzles at the same time (the Beginner Puzzle is an Intermediate one, since it's not trivial for new players) 1 advanced freestyle and the Exploration Puzzles that were obviously difficult.

We would like to know, in general though, how many puzzles are ideal at the same time?

I'm thinking:

1 month-long Beginner puzzle (that non-beginner Foldit players will only need to play for a few days over the course of that month; these used to be only for <150 but veterans asked to have access to it in order to help new players)

1 advanced puzzle (freestyle, exploration, or difficult design puzzle)

1 normal puzzle (straightforward design puzzle, refinement puzzle, easily threadable alignment puzzle, Quest to the Native)

could all be able to be up at the same time as long as the deadlines don't overlap, right?

Or is that too much?
Do you all prefer to have no more than 2 puzzles up at a time (which includes the month-long Beginner Puzzle)
How many puzzles are too few puzzles?

Thanks for the help, please ask your teammates to post their preferences as well!

[Seagat2011]

My preferences:

1 - 1 month-long overlapping Beginner puzzle

2 overlapping 9-day advanced puzzles (freestyle, exploration, or difficult design puzzle)

2 overlapping 4-day normal puzzles (straightforward design puzzle, refinement puzzle, easily threadable alignment puzzle, Quest to the Native)

..at least 4 puzzles ongoing during any week, to minimize attrition, and no more than 5, none of which repeat during a 2-month period (e.g. have Exploration Round 4, in June) all which end no closer than 2 days from each other, and no back-to-back puzzles of similar alignments and skill level (e.g. Exploratory Round 1 ending on the same day Exploratory Round 2 begins).

[Origami314]

I like to have a choice so when I get bored or stuck with one, I can go to another. I'd say two puzzles at any one time. If one of those puzzles is guided then three is nice to have.

[marie_s]

My preferences
1 puzzle with some creative work (freestyle, exploration, difficult design puzzle) or new shape like beta docking puzzle. It can last 1 week or a little more, it will be great if they end at an hour of maximum audience (on sunday at 21:00 for european and USA ?) and occasionally at a better time for NZ and australians.
2 puzzles with alignement, usual design, step of exploration. They can last a few days and no more than a week and overlapp on each other. For me, have a choice is better, i can always skip a puzzle if I dont have the time.
For time to time: an all-hands puzzle
no QTTN for me.

[Rav3n_pl]

Best for me:

• 3-4 (best if different types) puzzles at same time,
• at least week for each,
• at last 2 days split between puzzle ends (not day by day).
  Love small and fast (<100), hate big ones (>200) :P

[auntdeen]

If all that is up is a Beginner puzzle & a QTTN, I get a lot of real life work done (and even housework). Almost moved over to EteRNA during one such few day period.

If Beginner puzzles are truly meant for beginners, I'm perplexed at why the veterans who have "asked to have access to it in order to help new players" have their scores counted for global rankings. I really don't think that it can boost a new player's confidence when they have a next to impossible time hitting top twenty, which is always crowded with veterans. Perhaps anyone with over 150 global points should be able to play but not rank. Those of us who are over 150 can then choose to stay away from it if they don't like QTTN (and many of us don't).

For the rest - it can get boring when there is only one puzzle open (other than a Beginner). I would be great to have at least 3 at any given time - I like Seagat2011's suggestion very much.

And also agree with Marie that weekend endings & a diversity of ending times is desirable.