17/02/2023
I've been prompted to think about the challenge set by our wyfio.com gameboard after reading about the infamous 'Level Nu' in Notpron (“the hardest riddle on the internet”) and the supposed solution being accessible via 'remote viewing' (“The alleged paranormal ability to perceive a remote or hidden subject without support of the senses”). Whilst I will admit to finding this hilarious - and will possibly resort to it as a riposte to any 'this puzzle is too hard' claims – it is kind of a ridiculous and difficult one to defend.
Unlike most online riddle type games, wyfio isn't entirely linear. You can move around the gameboard and try to solve another puzzle if you get stuck. And having a visible solve rate, should serve as a useful proxy for the relative difficulty of the puzzle you're attempting – particularly as the player base grows to overcome the 'small numbers problem' that the solve rate is currently prone to.
So how challenging is wyfio? Well, on the face of it so far, you might think it's pretty difficult. At the time of writing, the leaderboard is led with 17 solves (of a possible 33) and 6 solves would place you inside of the top 10.
Of the puzzles that have been solved, 'million dollar graveyard' is probably the most difficult and definitely my favourite having particularly enjoyed designing it. And whilst I think there are some genuinely fiendish puzzles on the gameboard - for those that like that sort of thing – I would also hope that there's a lot more solvable content within reach for most players.
*Now where did I put my ganzfeld goggles?*