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Puzzle Hunts draw us in — they challenge our minds, spark curiosity, and reward persistence with the thrill of discovery – and sometimes a TREASURE!
The Vault 2: Treasure & Faries is set for release around the Thanksgiving Holiday! (Join the VAULT community for updates: Vault Discord, Vault Facebook page – or the MW Discord.)
The Vault (1) was a huge success and so creators are once again coming together to offer another collection of puzzle hunts for YOU to enjoy! In The Vault 2 are treasures valued at over $500 to win – with 36 chances. More importantly the books (both Vault 1 and Vault 2) provide an introduction into the puzzle and treasure hunting hobby!
In this first of THE VAULT 2’s Six Questions Series, I ask Nicolas Ganter his inspiration, creative process, and the secrets behind crafting The Collective Noun – which is one of the puzzles inside THE VAULT 2!
Six Questions with Nicolas Ganter:
- Q1) What first sparked your interest in puzzles or treasure hunts?
When I was a kid, I was into crosswords, ISPY books, and about any game I could get my hands on. It moved on to Sudoku. Eventually, I stumbled upon the armchair hunts, and I became hooked.
- Q2) What advice would you give someone who is first getting into the hobby of puzzle hunts?
You are probably not going to be right about the first theory you come up with, but don’t let it deter you from continuing. I have been wrong a lot lol. Im still going!
- Q3) What do you enjoy most in the treasure hunting hobby?
The best thing that I enjoy is figuring out what the world has to offer. If you enjoy researching like I do, you discover all sorts of new foods, activities, and travel destinations.
- Q4) When you start designing a new puzzle, where do you begin—story, solution, or structure? How do you balance making a puzzle challenging yet fair?
When I start to create a puzzle, I start with my solution. The story comes organically after I accumulate the facts. I balance it by making it appear to be something its not, but leaving enough detail to steer the puzzler in the right direction.
- Q5) Please share a quick peek into your particular puzzle in THE VAULT 2! How would you describe it?
Its very similar in style to “The Ramble”, my puzzle from the first book. You read a fictional detailed story, decipher the hidden facts, and give me the solution through a weekly email submission.
- Q6) What do you hope solvers take away from your puzzle beyond just the answer? Do you have other puzzles or a social channel to follow?
I hope that they will enjoy it, and the solution makes sense to the community. Always good to learn something new as well. Great takeaway from the puzzles. My “The Ramble” puzzle in the first book remains unsolved, with a $200 cash prize still waiting to be scooped up.
VAULT 1 – Available on Amazon
