Phase II settings confusion

[Zincous]

At the beginning of phase II, "Phase II Settings" where I get the
option of picking "2-letter word minimum" etc.

What is the point of picking 2,3, or 4 letter word minimum? Is there a
difference in points if I pick 4 letter word minimum vs. 2 letter word
minimum? Because it doesn't say that in the "help" if it does.

If I'm not rewarded for picking higher word minimums, then why have
the option? I know if I make 5 or longer letter words I get rewarded
but not by changing the minimum?

Is it just for challenging myself into seeing if I can do 4 letter
words?

I'm not completely understanding this feature if I'm not rewarded
extra points.

[Derrek Leute]

Indeed! We need to evaluate the entire scoring system. Ideally, we
would like something that balances with easy levels. There is no
reward for picking the longer minimum word length.

This game is designed to be played by everyone. Do you have any ideas
for creating an equalized scoring system? I'd love to be able to keep
one "normalized" list of scores for all difficulties.

--Derrek

[Zincous]

Well just add points for using 4 minimum, less points for choosing 3
letter minimum, and low points for using the 2 word minimum.

At the end on "phase II score" have a category above "bomus" that says
"minimum word length:" and put the extra points in for the challenge.
So like an extra 25 for a 4 letter minimum, 15 for a 3 letter minimum,
and 5 for 2 letter minimum.

It won't unbalance the score, it will just increase the maximum score
total by 25. Which harms no one, and is equal to everyone to their
choice of choosing how difficult they want to go. So it's a
progressive score system. Works for all difficulties. And would reward
the player for choosing a harder task. Maybe even have the minimum
letter option go higher up to like and option for 5 or 6 letter
minimums, so even the advanced players can get higher scores. So if
you ever get a worldwide score board, people can have a reason to
choose the most difficult task. And another reason for it not being
super easy to reach the maximum amount of points possible.

[Derrek Leute]

I like this. I also want to explore a more exponential scoring system.
So the people who can do really well at advanced levels get much
higher scores.

What do you think about the score being 5 points * number of letter
position. So the first letter is worth 5, the second worth 10, the
third worth 15.

Then maybe higher minimum lengths could have 6 points *number of
letter position... then 7... etc.

--Derrek

[Zincous]

That exponential scoring system would work, both by rewarding longer
words and a reason for choosing a higher minimum word length.

Doing this would greatly increase the scores people start outputting.
So you need to do this "now or never". Can't implement this in an
update because then it would essentially wipe out everyone's scores,
which with the new scoring system could have been huge too. Thus, the
complaining.

Have you thought about assigning letters different point values? Sorta
like scrabble. So more difficult letters used like "V" and "Q" are
worth more, especially if you use them AND get the 25 point bonus,
because that is way harder doing that.

So maybe instead of "the score being 5 points * number of letter

position. So the first letter is worth 5, the second worth 10, the

third worth 15." It would be 5 * the total of the added up points of
the word you spelled.

Also, instead of it being 5 * / 6 * / 7 * etc... Have it be 2 * / 3
* / 4 * etc... respectively with the "minimum letters" picked. So if I
choose a 4 letter minimum, it will be a 4X multiplier.

[Derrek Leute]

I think there were potential infringement issues with assigning points
to letters. It was certainly suggested. It also means the random word
selection may not give you many high point letters.

I think letter use for points encourages the type of competition we
want. It's partly luck, but more skill. If Z and Q were worth more, it
would be lucky to have them. And while I'm okay with some luck of the
draw, I'm not sure I want scores to be based on who can use a Z or Q
when they get them.

I'd love to hear more opinions on this.

--Derrek