Progress Bar Radio: What's The Point Of A Level Only 1% Can Beat?

The Witness has a level that only 1% of players will be able to beat. What's the point of that? Is Jonathan Blow calling out YouTube and walkthrough users?

[isarai]

That's like asking what the point is in having all this unexplored land and ocean mass on earth, might as well get rid if it right?

It's about the mystery, the sense of adventure, and the whole "what's beyond this door, corner or obstacle" that drives you forward to discover more. I'm seriously shocked at just how many people don't have and/or understand this basic human instinct to explore and discover

[sirkibble2]

That's also like making a part of the world so inaccessible only 1% of the world will see it. So it still raises the question of "What's the point?"

Might as well experience it vicariously through someone else, right?

We like exploring and discovering. But we also to actually discover. We like to see what we're adventuring towards. If I have a 99% chance of NOT seeing the fruit of my labor, I'll likely not waste my time.

[BitbyDeath]

I'm intrigued to know what lies at the bottom of some of our oceans which is currently inaccessible to humans.

[UkrainianWarrior]

Bitby - what? They have special submersibles for that.

[isarai]

There are massive amounts of land that humans have NEVER set foot on, and if you could see what you were adventuring towards, well then it really isn't adventuring then is it?

[jb227]

Exactly....what's the point? A true challenge. What's the point of the lottery? Pretty sure less than 1% of players will ever hit the jackpot, but people keep trying anyway. How reliable is 1% anyway? Who's to say that a lot of people don't work very hard at being in that 1% which may expand it? Seems like that's a theoretical number anyway.

[SpinalRemains138]

Separate the men from the boys.

[VerminSC]

I read somewhere that only a very small % of people beat the souls games on newgame + ...It's just there for people who want the extra challenge. If anything, its something good, not bad.

[TheColbertinator]

For those who seek the challenge from the day like those who took the skill to defeat Battletoads,Ninja Gaiden II and Chakan

[MysticStrummer]

There are parts of many games that not everyone will see.

[Bathyj]

Whats the point having a Gold medal for the 100m dash at the Olympics when only one guy can win it? Oh yeah, that IS the point.

Questions like this is what happens to society when everyone gets a trophy at school sports days.

[jb227]

Perfect response, shut it down, we are all finished here.

[eyeDEVOUR]

Exactly... I goes right along with "no child left behind"... "Lets dumbdown the curriculum so every child succeeds"... Our government is trying to dumb us down and they are succeeding. We are so stupid that we spend hour's online in make believe wars as soldiers for our favorite corporation's... We're in real trouble!!!

[arbitor365]

that just makes me want to play it more. That is what you call a gaming accomplishment.

Thats why I like the new statistics that go along with trophies now, that tell you what percent of other people got it. If a trophy was only acquired by 1% of other people, then it actually sort of means something.

[Eidolon]

There's some ridiculous trophies, though.

[feraldrgn]

It's not going to matter much once someone figures it out & uploads the solution.

[eyeDEVOUR]

The author obviously comes from the new generation of kids that have been pampered and rewarded just for participation. The generation of the "entitled".

The first thing i thought when i read "only 1% percent can beat" i immediately wanted this game more..lol
Maybe im a dying breed. :(

Ok... So listening to the beginning of his podcast he complains about the reason for putting a puzzle in the game that is extremely hard is stupid because it may not be accessible to everyone because most people dont beat games...lol wtf? He even says that he doesn't even finish most games he plays..so why care then? With that logic how about lets not put an ending in the game because most people will quit before they get there...

Omfg..lol this is some of the worst reasoning ive ever heard. He damn sure doesn't need any followers!!!

[sirkibble2]

I can completely agree with you but I'm not talking about an entire game that you would beat because of persistence, I'm talking a puzzle that you can't beat because we're, perhaps, not smart enough. That's different.

[eyeDEVOUR]

Its not different at all. Even if it was different its still not a valid argument. If you go to college for a bachelor's degree in (lets say journalism) and you attended all the classes and paid for all of your tuition. Do you think you are guaranteed and deserve a degree? Hell no you don't. You don't get that degree(achievement/trophy) for simply being along for the ride...lol

The whole point of trophies and achievements in modern gaming is to show other people the extra work youve put in..bragging rights!!!

Most human's aren't mentally capable of getting a degree in quantum physics so do we just take that study outta schools? NO... You cant win everything man but you can do work toward a rational goal based on the abilities you do possess. Thats just how the real world works!!!

[sirkibble2]

Again, I agree. We're on the same page there. I got my Bachelor's. I worked for that. Not much has been handed to me and being married, I'm sure as hell not handed anything. So I'm right with you.

I don't mind that this puzzle is in there at all. Like I said in the podcast, I'll take the challenge. And I understand all this is for bragging rights even though I do think 99% wouldn't care.

What I'm getting at, and I this where I don't think I explained it well, is 1% is a very low number. People who want to finish all of the puzzles, who want the challenge - and to use your Quantum Physics example - are being forced to do "quantum physics." So the completionists may not even be able to finish.

I'm not saying make the puzzle easier or take it out. I'm saying for Jonathan Blow, what is the point of doing that? That's the question I'm asking. I also mention the point for gamers and such for the sake of time and conversation but the former is my main question.

[eyeDEVOUR]

Still doesn't matter bro. There will ALWAYS be a 1% at anything in life. Why does he need to base his game on what a completionist "wants" ? Let the completionists cry if they want, once again "you cant win or be the best simply because you WANT it"... And he isnt forcibly making you be a "quantum physicists or anything else"... He is simply putting a creation on the market for those who are interested in playing it. Neither is he forcing you to solve the puzzle to complete the game.

And we both know damn well that most ppl dont have enough integrity to admit defeat so they will YouTube that shit anyways. You yourself admit that you dont think walkthroughs are cheating. And certain types of walkthroughs are ok for hints, but for a puzzle game it certainly is cheating.

Furthermore he said 1 puzzle outta over 600+ will have that difficulty. It stands to reason the there will be puzzles that the top 5%-50% will only complete as well. So nobody is being left out.

I would urge you to reconsider other sides of the argument as it is the only way to learn something new. Complainings about the difficulty before you've even tried it is throwing in the towel and selling yourself short...

Look at the other comments and the disagrees your are getting here and just consider that you may be wrong.

Everybody is certainly entitled to there own opinion. But every opinion isnt worth being considered a valid argument.

Since you keep moving the goal post back for your argument ill take the liberty of answering your question for Mr Blow as i dont think he would mind me doing so.. The answer is simply because its for the challenge...bragging rights!!! Thats why he put it in the game. The way you create a good puzzle is to create it on a set logic that always applies and then have the puzzle be only solvable under those precepts/concepts. Thats the point of a puzzle man...

[sirkibble2]

I've already considered the other side of the "argument." I already agree with it. I'm presenting different perspectives.

Is it possible Jonathan Blow created the level for his own ego? I think it's very possible.

Is it possible he announced it to encourage players to the challenge? Absolutely.

We both agree it's definitely about bragging rights but you believe that's the only reason. So I'm having a hard time understanding how I'm the one who's not considering other sides of the "argument."

Which it's not even an argument. It's a perspective. An opinion. It's speculation. Not all opinions are arguments meant to prove right or wrong. And I haven't been arguing against you. I've agreed with everything you've said! I can't argue against what I agree with. I just think there's more to it than just "bragging rights" especially since Jonathan Blow decided to make note of it.

What I will say you changed my mind about is your take on hints. From that perspective, you're on point. I agree. It is cheating. I'll be sure to reverse that perspective on-air Monday.

[Spotie]

Who cares? If you can't figure it out, how is that anybody's problem but your own?

You're making a big deal out of your inability to do something, but that's the same for anything at a high level. Only 1% of people can be a chess master, or win an Olympic medal, or the Nobel Prize.

There's no need to have a point beyond the end result of being in that elite class.

[mogwaii]

If I buy a game I want it to be fun AS WELL as challenging, I dont want to go in knowing that I will never see a part of the game because the guy that made it is a pretentious cock, mr BLOW indeed. I wont be buying his ridiculously delayed wank. Jog on.

[eyeDEVOUR]

Do you platinum every game??? I doubt you do. Until then you really have no right to criticize that at all. But you do have a right to opt out of playing it. Its clearly just an extra puzzle, you dont need to solve it to finish the game so....