# Sleigh Route Command - Multi-Station Navigation Puzzle

## Overview

Three-station magnetic puzzle game where players plot Santa's optimal delivery routes by placing magnetic tokens on world map panels. Each station features a different difficulty level and regional focus. Players receive clue cards and use geographic logic to determine the correct route - when they place tokens on all the right cities, the "Workshop Beacon" lights up!

**Theme:** Command Santa's sleigh route - navigate the globe efficiently on Christmas Eve

**Type:** Logic puzzle / Route optimization / Electromagnetic circuit completion

**Duration:** 3-8 minutes per station (varies by difficulty)

**Players:** 1-4 per station (collaborative, can work together or take turns)

**Age Range:** Station 1 (ages 5-8), Station 2 (ages 9-16), Station 3 (ages 17+)

**Staff Required:** None (self-guided with clear instructions on clue cards)

---

## Concept

Three separate wall-mounted map panels, each showing a different region (North America, Eurasia, or World). Players receive a color-coded clue card that describes a delivery route challenge. Using geographic reasoning and the constraints provided, they must identify which cities Santa should visit and place magnetic sleigh tokens on those locations.

**The Innovation:** Brett's anti-cheat design using reed switches wired in SERIES. The Workshop Beacon ONLY lights when ALL correct cities have tokens placed AND no incorrect cities are marked. This prevents "scanning" with a compass - you must solve the logic puzzle and commit to your answer.

**The Goal:** Read the clue card, study the map, identify the correct cities, place your tokens, and activate the Workshop Beacon!

---

## The Three Stations

### Station 1 - Easy (GREEN) - North America
- **Map Focus:** North America (Canada, USA, Mexico, Caribbean)
- **Panel Size:** 36" × 24" (wall-mounted, landscape)
- **Total Cities:** 15 cities marked
- **Correct Route:** 4 cities (Mexico City → Miami → Denver → Vancouver)
- **Tokens Provided:** 4 tokens
- **Puzzle Type:** Sequential geographic clues
- **Target Age:** 5-8 years old
- **Duration:** 3-5 minutes

**Cities on Map:**
Mexico City, Miami, Denver, Vancouver (route) + Havana, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, Montreal, New York, Atlanta, Seattle (red herrings)

**Clue Card Summary:**
Sequential clues guide players from Santa arriving from Central America, northeast to coastal city, west to Rocky Mountains, north into Canada.

---

### Station 2 - Medium (BLUE) - Eurasia
- **Map Focus:** Europe, Asia, and Africa
- **Panel Size:** 36" × 24" (wall-mounted, landscape)
- **Total Cities:** 21 cities marked
- **Correct Route:** 6 cities (Tokyo → Delhi → Athens → Istanbul → Paris → Lagos)
- **Tokens Provided:** 6 tokens
- **Puzzle Type:** Landmark-based clues with reference cards
- **Target Age:** 9-16 years old
- **Duration:** 5-7 minutes
- **Supplemental Materials:** Landmark reference cards (21 cities with photos)

**Cities on Map:**
Tokyo, Delhi, Athens, Istanbul, Paris, Lagos (route) + Oslo, Stockholm, Moscow, Amsterdam, Vienna, Barcelona, Rome, Casablanca, Cairo, Dubai, Mumbai, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Beijing (red herrings)

**Clue Card Summary:**
Clues reference famous landmarks (Imperial Palace, Red Fort, Parthenon, Bosphorus, Eiffel Tower, Lekki Conservation Centre). Players cross-reference with landmark photo cards.

---

### Station 3 - Hard (RED) - World
- **Map Focus:** Global (all continents)
- **Panel Size:** 36" × 48" (wall-mounted, portrait)
- **Total Cities:** 23 cities marked globally
- **Correct Route:** 8 cities (Dayton → Caracas → Berlin → Nairobi → Tehran → Seoul → Bangkok → Sydney)
- **Tokens Provided:** 8 tokens
- **Puzzle Type:** Geography-based clues with reference cards
- **Target Age:** 17+ (adults/teens)
- **Duration:** 7-12 minutes
- **Supplemental Materials:** Geographic reference cards (23 cities with photos and geo-tags)

**Cities on Map:**
Dayton, Caracas, Berlin, Nairobi, Tehran, Seoul, Bangkok, Sydney (route) + New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City, London, Rome, Madrid, Cairo, Cape Town, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires (red herrings)

**Clue Card Summary:**
Geography-based clues using broad geographic terms (delta, peninsula, mountain valley, major river). Players cross-reference clues with city reference cards containing geo-tags and descriptions. Clues reference features like "four rivers meet," "Die Mauer," "Great Rift Valley," "island continent."

---

## Physical Setup (Per Station)

### The Map Panel
- **Material:** Plywood or acrylic substrate with printed map graphic
- **Map Style:** Colorful illustrated map, clear city markers
- **City Markers:** Small circles or icons at each city position
- **Visual Design:** Christmas-themed - dotted flight paths, North Pole markers
- **Mounting:** Wall-mounted at comfortable height (center at ~4.5 feet)

### Reed Switches (Behind Panel)
- **Type:** Normally-open reed switches
- **Placement:** One switch per CORRECT-route city only (not every city on map)
- **Mounting:** Secured behind panel, aligned with correct city positions
- **Wiring:** ALL switches wired in SERIES (Brett's anti-cheat design)

### Magnetic Tokens
- **Design:** Mini sleighs, gift boxes, or reindeer-shaped markers
- **Size:** 1" diameter (easy to handle, precise placement)
- **Magnet:** Neodymium disc magnet embedded in housing
- **Strength:** Strong enough to trigger reed switch from 1/4" distance
- **Storage:** Magnetic strip or small basket at base of panel

### Workshop Beacon (Success Indicator)
- **Type:** High-brightness LED in decorative housing
- **Position:** Mounted on or near panel (highly visible)
- **Function:** Lights up ONLY when complete correct pattern is detected
- **Design:** "Workshop Beacon" theme - glowing orb, Christmas light, or star

### Clue Cards
- **Size:** 5" × 7" laminated cards
- **Color Coding:** GREEN (Station 1), BLUE (Station 2), RED (Station 3)
- **Content:** Mission description, route constraints, token counts, hints
- **Distribution:** Cards available at each station (or handed out by staff)

---

## Gameplay Mechanics

### How To Play

1. **Approach station** and take a clue card (color-matched to station)
2. **Read the mission** - understand the route requirements and constraints
3. **Study the map** - identify which cities might fit the requirements
4. **Use logic and geography** - eliminate cities that don't fit constraints
5. **Place magnetic tokens** on your chosen cities
6. **Check the Workshop Beacon** - if it lights up, you solved it!
7. **If beacon doesn't light** - review constraints and adjust token placement
8. **Success!** When beacon lights, you've completed the training

### The Circuit Logic (Brett's Innovation)

**Series Wiring Explained:**
- Reed switches at correct-city positions are wired in SERIES (like old Christmas lights)
- When a magnet is near, reed switch CLOSES (completes that part of circuit)
- ALL correct switches must be closed simultaneously for current to flow
- Current flows through all switches → Workshop Beacon LED lights up
- If ANY correct switch is missing a magnet, circuit is incomplete (beacon off)
- Placing tokens on WRONG cities does nothing (those positions don't have switches)

**Why This Prevents Cheating:**
- Can't use a compass to "scan" and find which positions have switches
- No partial feedback - it's all-or-nothing (binary success indicator)
- Must solve the logic puzzle and commit to complete answer
- Elegant hardware solution, no Arduino needed for basic operation

**Circuit Diagram (Per Station):**
```
[+5V Power] → Reed Switch A → Reed Switch B → Reed Switch C → ...
→ Reed Switch N → LED (with resistor) → [Ground]
```

**Example (Station 1 - Easy):**
```
[+5V] → Reed@Vancouver → Reed@Seattle → Reed@San Francisco
      → Reed@Los Angeles → LED → 220Ω → [GND]
```

Only when ALL four switches close (magnets at all four cities) does the beacon light.

---

## Difficulty Progression

### Station 1 - Easy (GREEN)
**Puzzle Type:** Geographic route with clear visual logic
- Follow coastline from north to south
- Cities clearly labeled with names
- Obvious geographic progression
- Hint provided on clue card

**Skills Required:**
- Basic map reading
- Following directions
- Pattern recognition

---

### Station 2 - Medium (BLUE)
**Puzzle Type:** Optimization challenge with constraints
- Must find "shortest" or "most efficient" route
- Multiple cities to consider and eliminate
- Northern hemisphere constraint
- Requires spatial reasoning

**Skills Required:**
- Geographic reasoning
- Distance estimation
- Constraint satisfaction
- Strategic thinking

---

### Station 3 - Hard (RED)
**Puzzle Type:** Geography-based clues with reference materials
- Clues reference rivers, seas, peninsulas, deltas
- Players cross-reference clues with geographic reference cards
- Requires geographic knowledge and deduction
- No city overlap with Medium station

**Skills Required:**
- Geographic knowledge
- Multi-constraint problem solving
- Geographic awareness
- Systematic elimination

---

## Technical Requirements

### Materials Per Station

**Station 1 (Easy):**
- 1× 2' × 3' panel (plywood/acrylic) - $15
- 4× Reed switches (normally-open) - $0.40
- 1× High-brightness LED + 220Ω resistor - $0.60
- 7× Neodymium magnets (1/2" disc) - $7
- 7× 3D printed token housings - $5
- Wire, solder, heat shrink - $5
- 1× 5V power supply or battery pack - $8
- 1× Beacon housing - $10
- Printed map graphic - $20
- **Total: ~$71**

**Station 2 (Medium):**
- 1× 2.5' × 3.5' panel - $20
- 6× Reed switches - $0.60
- 1× LED + resistor - $0.60
- 10× Magnets - $10
- 10× Token housings - $7
- Wire, solder, etc - $5
- Power supply - $8
- Beacon housing - $10
- Printed map - $25
- **Total: ~$86**

**Station 3 (Hard):**
- 1× 3' × 4' panel - $25
- 8× Reed switches - $0.80
- 1× LED + resistor - $0.60
- 13× Magnets - $13
- 13× Token housings - $10
- Wire, solder, etc - $8
- Power supply - $8
- Beacon housing - $10
- Printed map - $30
- **Total: ~$105**

**All Three Stations + Shared Materials: ~$297**

### Electronics Specifications

**Reed Switches:**
- Type: Normally-open SPST reed switches
- Activation: 10-20 gauss (easily triggered by neodymium magnets)
- Cost: ~$0.10 each
- Durability: Millions of cycles

**Magnets:**
- Type: Neodymium disc magnets
- Size: 1/2" diameter × 1/8" thick (N52 grade)
- Strength: ~3-4 lbs pull force
- Cost: ~$1 each

**Power:**
- 5V DC power supply (wall adapter)
- Alternative: 3× AA battery pack (4.5V, works fine)
- Current draw: ~20mA when LED lit (very low)

**LED:**
- High-brightness red or white LED
- Forward voltage: ~2V
- Current limiting: 220Ω resistor
- Lifespan: 50,000+ hours

---

## Build Instructions

### Phase 1: Design & Fabrication (Per Station)
1. Design map graphic in Illustrator/Photoshop (region-specific)
2. Mark city positions clearly on map design
3. Print map on vinyl or photo paper (high quality)
4. Cut panel to size
5. Mount printed map to panel (laminate or adhesive vinyl)
6. Drill small holes at CORRECT-city positions (for reed switch wiring)

### Phase 2: Electronics Installation
1. Position reed switches on back of panel, aligned with correct cities
2. Secure switches with hot glue or epoxy
3. Wire all switches in series (follow circuit diagram)
4. Install Workshop Beacon LED on front/side of panel
5. Add 220Ω resistor in series with LED
6. Connect 5V power supply
7. **Test:** Place magnets on correct cities → beacon should light
8. **Test:** Place magnets on wrong cities → beacon should NOT light

### Phase 3: Token Creation
1. 3D print token housings (sleigh/gift designs)
2. Press-fit neodymium magnets into housings
3. Test magnet strength (must trigger switch from 1/4" away)
4. Paint/decorate tokens (optional)

### Phase 4: Final Assembly
1. Mount panel on wall at appropriate height
2. Create token storage (magnetic strip or basket)
3. Mount beacon in visible location
4. Print and laminate clue cards (5" × 7", color-coded)
5. Add "Station 1/2/3" signage with difficulty indicator

### Phase 5: Testing & Validation
1. Test correct solution multiple times
2. Test various incorrect patterns (verify no false positives)
3. Durability test: 50+ placements and removals
4. Ask beta testers to solve puzzles (verify difficulty is appropriate)

**Build Time Per Station:** 4-6 hours
**Build Time All Three:** 12-18 hours

---

## Integration with Event

### Where It Lives
**Location:** Santa Tracking Room (Mission Control theme)
- Stations positioned at opposite ends and along walls
- Paired with Night Sky Navigator constellation puzzle (different mechanic)
- Drop-in optional activities

### Guest Flow
- Guests approach any available station
- Take clue card and read mission
- Work on puzzle (solo or with group)
- Multiple stations allow different difficulty levels simultaneously
- No time limit - guests self-determine when finished or want to skip

### Staffing
**Staff Required:** None for basic operation (self-guided)
**Optional:** Roaming staff can offer hints if guests are stuck >5 minutes
- Level 1 Hint: "Have you looked at the coastline?"
- Level 2 Hint: "Try cities along the Pacific Ocean"
- Level 3 Hint: "The route starts in Vancouver"

### Accessibility
- **Visual:** High contrast maps, clear city labels, bright LED feedback
- **Physical:** Magnetic tokens easy to grip and place, wall height accessible
- **Cognitive:** Three difficulty levels (easy for kids, hard for adults)
- **Collaborative:** Multiple people can work together naturally

---

## Why This Design Works

**Brett's Anti-Cheat Innovation:** Series wiring prevents scanning and creates pure logic puzzle

**Scalable Difficulty:** Three stations means families can split up by age/skill level

**No Reset Needed:** Each station is independent, multiple groups can play simultaneously

**Tactile & Engaging:** Physical token placement is more satisfying than button-pressing

**Educational:** Teaches geography, spatial reasoning, constraint satisfaction

**Durable:** Solid-state electronics, no moving parts, built for heavy use over 30 shows

**Budget-Friendly:** ~$300 total for all three stations (vs $1000+ for Arduino/sensor approaches)

**Christmas Thematic:** Plotting Santa's delivery route fits perfectly with Mission Control theme

---

## Files

### Technical Documentation
- `tech-build/shopping-list.md` - Consolidated parts list for all three stations
- `tech-build/build-guide.md` - Wiring diagrams, build steps, testing checklist
- `staff-operations-guide.html` - Quick reference for staff at stations

### Station 1 - Easy (North America)
- `easy/station-clue-card.html` - Clue card (5"×7", print-ready)
- `easy/map/easy-map.html` - Map with city labels (36"×24", print-ready)
- `easy/solution-guide.md` - Staff answer key and hints

### Station 2 - Medium (Eurasia)
- `medium/station-clue-card.html` - Clue card (5"×7", print-ready)
- `medium/map/medium-map.html` - Map with city labels (36"×24", print-ready)
- `medium/landmark-cards.html` - Reference cards with landmark photos (21 cities)
- `medium/solution-guide.md` - Staff answer key and hints

### Station 3 - Hard (World)
- `hard/station-clue-card.html` - Clue card (5"×7", print-ready)
- `hard/map/hard-map.html` - Map with city labels (36"×48", print-ready)
- `hard/geographic-reference-photos.html` - Reference cards with city photos and geo-tags (23 cities)
- `hard/solution-guide.md` - Staff answer key and hints

- `GAME-INFO.md` - This file

---

**Created:** November 23, 2025
**Updated:** December 3, 2025
**Status:** ✅ COMPLETE - All three stations designed, ready for build
**Credit:** Brett's series-wiring anti-cheat design + Tiffany's multi-station concept

**Design Notes:**
- Adapted from Brett's "Cartographer's Trial" constellation puzzle
- Changed from stars to world map cities (Night Sky Navigator already does constellations)
- Multi-station approach allows simultaneous play and difficulty variety
- Series wiring is elegant hardware solution requiring no Arduino programming
- Total cost ~$300 for all three stations vs $1000+ for sensor array approaches