Have you seen puzzle competition prizes lately? While technically, speed puzzling and puzzle competitions are hobbies, I’m starting to wonder why the bigger crowds of players aren’t offered better puzzle competition prizes.
Let me be the first to tell you that I think it’s awesome someone can assemble a jigsaw puzzle in such a quick fashion. And personally, I’ve won nothing….but I’ve had fun when I’ve played. That being said, a tiny prize for such a big accomplishment doesn’t seem right to me. There is no doubt the business of holding a puzzle competitions has become a money maker. So why don’t puzzle events offer better prizes?
It’s time Puzzle Competition Prizes Get Bigger
If you ask me, it’s time puzzle competition prizes get bigger and better. There are more players than ever before in the puzzle world. If the prizes aren’t better, they will not attract new players in the future. It’s a limiting cycle that everyone needs to consider in this big world of puzzle competitions.
There is no way I’d minimize the idea of how much work goes into puzzle competitions, but I also know the more people play, the less overhead there is for the businesses (and individuals) who put together events and try to offer an exclusivity in a community (which is objectionable as well.) Meaning the players pay more while the events make more money. And the prizes? Well, so far the prizes have stayed the same.
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Why are Puzzle Competition Prizes so Small?
The relatively small prizes in puzzle competitions, despite the high level of accomplishment required, can be attributed to several factors. I’m thinking it’s important to see what the puzzle events are up against and how this has drastically changed with the new interest. Plus consider just how much speed puzzling participants are practicing and working their fingers for their best times.
1. Niche Market
Limited Audience Sometimes. Puzzle competitions cater to a niche audience compared to mainstream sports or entertainment. It used to be the smaller fan base translates to less revenue from sponsorships, advertising, and media rights. However, as we have seen, there are thousands of people playing now, which compared to even last year, so this huge jump so why are the profits going into the pockets of the events? And those people who support puzzle events show up every time. It’s a lose transaction for easy money for events.
2. Sponsorship and Funding
Fewer Sponsors: Since the audience is specific, there are fewer sponsors willing to invest money. Sponsors are more likely to give puzzles to the same events. This unfortunate circumstance is so obvious and becoming a casualty of the puzzle community as it grows bigger and bigger without the response to the cycle of prizes.
Budget Constraints: Organizers of puzzle competitions often operate with limited budgets, which affects the size of the prizes they can offer. This also is a concern, but if there is an admission fee and it’s run by a professional (business or solo proprietor), the prize pool should be the first order of business, not the last. If the event is part of a local community and organized differently, the prize should be according to whatever budget they may have. Also, most nonprofit events are for the good of the community, so it’s understandable.
3. Cultural Perception
Perceived Value. Never has an athlete gone to the NFL Super Bowl thinking that showing up is enough. They walk out with rings, endorsements and other reasonable expectations. Both the winners and losers. Granted puzzle competitions may not be perceived by the general public as requiring the same level of physical prowess or entertainment value, which could affect the overall investment and prize pool, but there has never, ever been a hint of the value you put into the puzzle play versus what you get out of the game. It’s a shame people consider Chess before they take a peek at puzzle competitions.
4. Event Revenue
Ticket Sales and Participation Fees. Revenue from ticket sales and participation fees tends to be forgotten when it comes to the events. From admission fees to exhibitors, there is money there that could be part of the prize pool.
5. Too Many Non-Monetary Rewards
Prestige and Recognition is almost all puzzlers get. Many participants value the prestige and recognition from winning highly-regarded puzzle competitions more than the monetary prize. Which is nice if you are #26 on the local ranking board. For the winners in the top 10, they worked super hard and deserve more than a pat on the back and their name on a piece of paper.
Don’t Forget the Puzzle Competition Prizes
As you can see, I am passionate about the idea that puzzle competition prizes should be bigger and better than they are today. Anyone with business savvy can see puzzle competitions are making big bucks off the backs of puzzle enthusiasts. And yet, they offer tiny prizes – like $10 or $25 gift cards or white t-shirts with their logo for the winners. Going a step further the puzzle companies who get all the publicity every time their puzzles are played definitely are making out nicely as well.
Honestly, how are we to encourage new puzzle competition players if we can’t have prizes that properly represent the amazing accomplishment of completing a puzzle in such a quick time? The size of a puzzle competition prize must be bigger. And puzzle players need to start demanding it immediately.
