92=99/2

Welcome to lv92

The magic of the number 92: A journey starting from ‘gaming worlds’

Welcome to my new digital home, which was created to mix experiences from the world of gaming and current IT with my jobs in QS, metrology, IT & administration and then to share them with you again as appetizers. Fusion blogging. Or for the lazy ones among you: Stay a while and listen. ⁇

This blog serves as a platform to share with you the insights that have emerged from my many years of work in areas such as advertising/media/DTP, project management, gaming, quality assurance and IT – oh, and of course as a showroom for some wild crafts. The domain name ‘level92.fun“ is more than just an address; It embodies a central philosophy, which is illuminated in detail by me in this first contribution.

At the heart of this post is a seemingly paradoxical phrase that enjoys cult status in certain circles of the gaming community:

‘92 is half of 99’

This statement may seem mathematically nonsensical, but it holds a deeper meaning, which is fed by the mechanics of video games and has surprising parallels to the challenges and efficiency principles in the IT world.

This blog will cover a variety of topics, from personal experiences and practical IT craft projects to detailed thought blog entries about developing meaningful and efficient solutions. The common thread that runs through all content is the concept of how to effectively secure essential functionality, comparable to reaching level 92, without getting lost in an endless pursuit of absolute perfection that often devours disproportionate time and resources afterwards.

Level 1

Runescape: Where the 92 became a legend

The phrase ‘92 is half of 99’ has its origins and most notoriety in the world of online role-playing game Runescape. There, the progression system is based on an exponential experience point curve that creates a unique dynamic. The formula for the experience points needed for the next level is XP tnl = 75 x 2 ^ (Level / 7). (thx Reddit) Simply put: The experience required for ascension doubles approximately every seven levels. As a result, Level 92 actually represents about half of the total experience points required to reach the maximum level 99 in a skill. This specific mechanics has made the number 92 a significant milestone in the Runescape community.

Runescape XP progression:
The ‘92 is half of 99’ phenomenon

Yes, ...but! This is what is often discussed: While level 92 represents half of the total experience points, it is often not half of the time required to level 99. This difference is due to the fact that as the level increases, players gain access to more efficient training methods and higher-level content, which can significantly accelerate XP wins in the later stages. This observation makes it clear that a pure numerical metric, such as the required experience points, can be misleading if not considered in the context of evolving efficiency and available strategies.

In many areas, not just gaming, the factors that affect effort can change significantly over the course of a project or development.

The statement ‘92 is half of 99’ has become an integral part of Runescape culture beyond mere game mechanics. It has become a meme and widely recognized idiom within the community, often cited on platforms such as Reddit and TikTok, and even found on merchandise articles. This shows how specific game mechanics Beyond the gameplay and can be deeply embedded in the player culture and common identity. The ability of game design to create such enduring cultural reference points is remarkable and underlines the relevance of the ‘Level 92’ concept to an audience familiar with gaming.

Level2

Diablo 1996: My first conscious encounter with Expo-Exp

The encounter with the exponential experience point curve in Blizzard's Diablo from 1996 and later Diablo II, as well as the LoD expansion, was a formative experience for many players (including myself). Although the game mechanics behind it were already known from titles such as Ultima or Everquest, Diablo was for many the first confrontation with such a brutal progression system. Granted, in Everquest only up to 60 without too steep a climb, in the first version of Diablo only up to 50 and in most Ultimas before UO even only up to level 8.

The leveling system (especially in Diablo II) that adopted and reinforced many of the principles of the original game is notorious for its extremely sharply decreasing yields at higher levels. Experience point deductions are applied when monsters are significantly above or below the character's level, making efficient grinning a complex task. The final levels, especially 97, 98 and 99, require disproportionate amounts of experience points. Anecdotal reports from the community show that the XP required for 98-99 alone could correspond to the entire path of 1-97 or 1-98. Let me put it this way: Chaos Sanctuary and virtually every brick from Baals Butze is then known at some point by first name.

FunFact: Before the introduction of the ‘Terror Zones’ with patch 2.5 in Resurrected, there were not many useful options for expinding. Online it looked like this:

The general mood in the community regarding the level 99 grind is often described as ‘nervous’ and less jokingly ‘painful’, making it a monumental achievement due to the sheer effort and time it takes.

Although the phrase ‘92 is half of 99’ comes primarily from Runescape, it also appeals to Diablo communities. (thx Reddit) However, the guys calculate slightly differently and are more likely to come out at 91.x.
This underscores a universal experience of exponential progress in games: The feeling of a disproportionately long last grind, where yields drastically decrease, is a common denominator across a wide variety of RPGs, regardless of the exact numerical ‘half-time’.

The extreme difficulty and rarity of reaching Level 99 in Diablo was a conscious design decision by Blizzard. Level 99 is positioned as the ultimate performance that feels unattainable for casual players – even for the vast majority of players at a distance, giving prestige to those who make it.

This implicitly resulted in most players finding their ‘degree’ at a lower, more accessible level in the high 80s or, at most, low 90s, where the core content of the game can be fully enjoyed. without the grueling grind. This reflects the IT concept of delivering a ‘sufficiently good’ product or feature that meets primary user needs rather than endlessly striving for perfection.

Oh yes, the topic of perfection: WTB 250 ED GF, 2 YEARS

Level 3

From pixel to project: The 92 in the IT world

Efficiency is not magic. The Pareto principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, is a fundamental guiding principle in project management. It says that about 80% the results or outcomes of only 20% Efforts or causes result. This principle is not a strict mathematical law, but an empirical observation that has proven to be extremely effective in many areas. Especially in software development, the 80/20 rule In a variety of ways:

Features and user activity: Typically, 80% the value or user activity of an application from only 20% generated their functions. This means that concentrating development efforts on these core functionalities has the greatest impact on user satisfaction and the value of the product.

Bugs and quality assurance: It appears that 80% the software failures, crashes or system failures often from a critical 20% the code or recurring problems. Prioritising the identification and remediation of these ‘few but crucial’ errors can lead to significant improvements in stability and user experience.

Productivity and effort: 80% the performance of a team or the success of a project can often be reduced to 20% key efforts, tasks, or even individuals. This underlines the importance of identifying and focusing on high leverage activities.

Project value: A significant proportion of 80% the total value of a project can often be compared with the initial 20% All the effort is achieved.

The Extensive applicability The 80/20 principle in various areas, including outside IT – from functions to errors to performance and effort – makes it clear that effective project management is less about doing more and more about doing the right things. It highlights the critical importance of strategic prioritization and an uncompromising focus on high impact areas to maximize results with limited resources. This is not just a question of efficiency, but of optimizing for value.

The ‘Level 92’ philosophy embodies the spirit of the 80/20 rule. It means consciously applying the Pareto principle by strategically identifying and prioritising the ‘few but crucial’ tasks or functions that will deliver the majority of the desired value and functionality.

This approach advocates smart resource allocation and avoids the trap of over-engineering or endless polishing for marginal gains, maximizing efficiency and impact. Applying this observation to problem solving and risk minimization, especially in error identification and performance optimization, enables IT teams to proactively mitigate the biggest risks.

Focus on the 20% Causes of 80% which are responsible for problems leads to targeted solutions that prevent major system failures and improve overall reliability, enabling a transition from reactive troubleshooting to strategic preventive measures.

Level 4

The 90-90 rule: The Mistakes of the Last Percent

Closely related to the Pareto principle, but with a humorous but often painfully true note, is the ‘90-90 rule“ in computer programming and software development. It states: “The first 90 percent of the code accounts for 90 percent of the development time. The remaining 10 percent of the code accounts for the other 90 percent of the development time.”. This adds up to ironic 180% and alludes to the notorious tendency of software projects to significantly exceed their schedules.

This rule vividly illustrates the frequent challenge of project delays, which are often associated with ‘90 per cent finished syndrome’. This syndrome describes the overly optimistic assessment of the remaining effort once a project is considered to be 90.% Completely perceived. In practice, this seemingly small ‘remaining 10%“ often unforeseen complexities, integration problems and the tedious work of finishing, which take up a disproportionate amount of time and resources. The rule attributed to Tom Cargill by Bell Labs and popularised by Jon Bentley in his column ‘Programming Pearls’ (Collection as book) sheds light on a fundamental psychological tendency in human estimation. There is a tendency to underestimate the time and work involved in the ‘unpredictable complexities’ of the final stages, often due to optimism or a lack of detailed understanding of marginal cases and challenges. This explains why projects are often overdrawn, not necessarily due to incompetence, but due to inherent cognitive biases in prognosis.

The ‘Level 92’ philosophy provides an effective counter-strategy to the 90-90 rule. She advocates a pragmatic decision-making point where a project is considered ‘good enough’ for its intended purpose by delivering significant value without getting caught up in the endless, costly hunt for absolute perfection. This approach helps to:other 90 percent“ to avoid development time by focusing on core functionality and accepting a high level of completion rather than after an elusive 100% to strive for that which yields only diminishing yields.

To address the pitfalls of the 90-90 rule, the concepts of a clear Definition of Done (DoD) and a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) become key strategic tools. By explicitly defining what is considered ‘finished’ in a ‘Level 92’ (e.g. 80% Functionality, core functions completed), teams can avoid the endless cycle of refinement. This is consistent with agile methods that prioritize iterative delivery of value over a single, perfect, and often delayed end product.

level92.fun: More than just a blog – a philosophy

The concepts from the world of gaming and information technology merge into a powerful philosophy of pragmatic efficiency in the ‘Level 92’ approach. It's about intelligently recognizing the point of declining yields, whether in the exponential XP grind of a game or in the final, costly fine-tuning of an IT project. The core message is to focus on providing core functionality and significant impact and consciously make the decision to deliver value without engaging in the endless, resource-intensive hunt for absolute 100.%Tired of completion.

Many of my IT craft projects often find their natural completion and satisfaction at ‘Level 92’, as the last 20 per cent of the project, which is the ultimate finishing touch, usually takes up 80 per cent of the project time. However, the 80 percent initially achieved is often enough to secure the basic functionality.

This philosophy promotes a fundamental change of mentality from the relentless pursuit of perfection to a strategic focus on optimal value creation. This means consciously understanding ‘good enough’ as a strong competitive advantage, especially in dynamic fields such as IT, where time to market and iterative improvements often exceed absolute perfection. It's about 80% of the value for 20% to deliver the effort and then move on to the next valuable project.

Level 5

The level of trust in measurement technology

The invisible precision: Measuring technology, quality assurance and statistical certainty. In the world of digital measurement technology, where precision and reliability are crucial, the quality assurance of measurements is of paramount importance. Similar to gaming, where every pixel and every calculation counts, the results must also be reliable in technical projects. This is where measurement technology comes into play, which ensures the reliability of data through standardized procedures and statistical analyses.

A basic tool in metrology is the method 1 for assessing the measuring medium capability (MSA procedure 1). This method is used to evaluate the suitability of a measuring device for a specific measurement task by focusing on repeatability. It examines how close individual measured values are to each other when the same specimen with the same characteristic, by the same operator and with the same measuring medium is measured under identical conditions.

An important prerequisite for this method is that the measuring means has a sufficient resolution, typically not more than 5% the tolerance of the characteristic to be measured in order to ensure safe and legible readings. Method 1 is a short-term assessment and is often used as part of routine audits or interim tests to assess the measurement stability under the most real conditions possible.

The reliability of measurements is expressed by the measurement uncertainty, which is often associated with Levels of confidence quantified. Many measurements, especially in quality assurance, follow a normal distribution (also called Gaussian distribution), which is graphically represented as a bell curve. Within this normal distribution, certain percentages of the data points lie within defined standard deviations (sigma, σ) from the mean:

68,27% Level of confidence (±1σ): About 68% the measured values are within a standard deviation from the mean value. This can already be used for quality assurance. From e.g. 10 test specimens are therefore 7 ‘good enough’ or dimensionally stable.

95,45% Level of confidence (±2σ): This level means that approximately 95.45% the measured values are within two standard deviations from the mean value. This is a commonly used confidence level, including in opinion polls where it indicates the ‘error margin’.

99,73% Level of confidence (±3σ): An even higher level of trust, where 99.73% the measured values are within three standard deviations from the mean value. This ‘three-sigma rule’ is often regarded as almost absolute certainty in the empirical sciences. In practice, therefore, although often ‘nice to have’, please do not aim at all costs.

These statistical certainties form the basis for advanced quality management methods. They make it possible to quantify the reliability and consistency of a process or measurement.
The ‘Level 92’ philosophy is further confirmed here: It is about achieving a high, statistically significant level of quality and reliability that is ‘good enough’ for the intended purpose without getting lost in an unattainable pursuit of absolute perfection.

Level 6

Excursus: Lean six sigma

Streamline processes, eliminate waste - that's what Lean and Six Sigma stand for. After shedding light on the pitfalls of the 90-90 rule and having already covered Sigma rules in metrology, we turn to a methodology that aims to systematically combat inefficiencies: Lean six sigma. This combined methodology combines the principles of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma to optimize processes, eliminate waste and improve quality.

Lean focuses on the elimination of waste ("Muda“) and maximising customer benefits. It's about doing more with less by identifying and removing activities that don't add value. The eight types of waste are often combined with the acronym ‘DOWNTIME’:

Defects: Products that are unusable or require rework.
Over-production: Products that are manufactured in excess or too early.
Waiting: Delay in process steps, on material or permits.
Non-Used Talent: Waste of human potential and abilities.
Transportation: Unnecessary movement of materials, products + people.
Inventory: Do not process surplus products and materials.
Motion: Unnecessary or inefficient movements of employees + material.
Extra-processing: More work than necessary to complete a task.

Six Sigma, on the other hand, is a data-driven approach aimed at reducing process variations and minimizing errors, with the aim of achieving near-perfect performance of No more than 3.4 errors per million Possibilities to reach. This is equivalent to Six-Sigma, or 6σ. A Six Sigma process with 3.4 ppm has Thus, an accuracy of 99,99966 %, which means that 99,99966 % The products or services are error-free It uses statistical methods to identify and eliminate the causes of defects.

Offer together Lean six sigma a powerful, unified framework to improve efficiency, reduce waste and minimise errors. The core principles include:

Customer focus: Maximum value delivery according to customer needs and requirements.
Value stream analysis: Identify all process steps to identify value creation and waste.
Waste disposal: Remove non-value-adding steps to improve flow.
Team communication: Clearly communicate new standards and practices and provide training.
Culture of Change: Promote a data-driven culture that welcomes continuous improvement and flexibility.

In software development, Lean Six Sigma can improve quality by reducing defects and process variations. It increases efficiency by eliminating waste and streamlining workflows.

The central methodology is the DMAIC cycle:

Define: Clearly outline the problem, customer needs and project goals.
Measure: Collect data to quantify the current state of the process and identify deviations.
Analyze (analyze): Analyze the collected data to uncover the root causes of inefficiencies or defects. Improve: Develop and implement solutions to address the identified issues.
Control: Establish mechanisms to monitor and maintain the improvements achieved in the long term.

Lean Six Sigma as a package is closely linked to the Pareto principle (80/20 rule) as it helps identify the ‘few but crucial’ causes that cause most of the problems.
By concentrating on these 20% The causes can be found in teams of 80.% solve the problems and thus achieve the greatest benefit with the least effort.

However, the ‘Level 92’ philosophy does not find strong allies in Six Sigma alone. Lean, on the other hand, is our friend: By eliminating waste and reducing variation, one can achieve a ‘good enough’ product or solution more efficiently without getting lost in the ‘other 90 percent’ of the 90-90 rule. It is about designing processes to deliver core value while making the most of resources, which fits perfectly with the idea of completing projects as successful at ‘Level 92’.

Level 7

TL:DR

At level92.fun, readers can expect a diverse mix of content. This includes practical IT craft projects that draw on extensive experience in various areas, like to think outside the box, as well as discussions and guidance aimed at helping readers find meaningful and efficient solutions to their own challenges. This blog is meant to be a resource for those who want to achieve results without massive overhead.

A call to action: Reflect your own ‘Level 92’ and find your sweet spot

This section concludes with a direct invitation to my readers to think about their own projects, hobbies or even everyday tasks. It is encouraged to identify areas where there may be excessive investment to generate minimal additional returns and to consider how a ‘Level 92’ approach could lead to more efficient, satisfying and sustainable results.

So let's ask ourselves: What will be your way to level 92?

The journey through the colourful worlds of gaming and the ‘there are three new mistakes after every fix’ of information technology reveals a universal truth: The curves of effort are often exponential, and the final percentages of perfection demand a disproportionately high price. The timeless wisdom of the Pareto principle (80/20 rule) and the warning realization of the 90-90 rule are not mere phrases, but practical guidelines that prove their validity in many areas.

Applying the ‘Level 92’ philosophy offers a liberating perspective.

It encourages not to engage in the unattainable pursuit of 100%To lose perfection, but to focus on a smart, effective completion that prioritizes core values and efficient use of resources. Beyond project efficiency, adopting the ‘Level 92’ mindset can have a profound impact on personal well-being and prevent burnout. The relentless pursuit of the last, often marginal, percentage points of perfection, as vividly demonstrated by the ‘nervous’ grind at Level 99 in Diablo, can lead to exhaustion, frustration and demotivation. By making a conscious decision to stop at ‘Level 92’, we can promote sustainable productivity, retain its enthusiasm and draw greater satisfaction from our efforts, as ‘good enough’ is often indeed optimal for long-term engagement and happiness.

Okay, you really held out completely and arrived at the end. For this you have now also earned a beer (or a coffee / tea):

level92.fun tries to be a guide for all those who want to achieve their own level 92 achievements. It will be a collection of thoughts, projects and solutions focused on pragmatic implementation of the core elements and meaningful lessons from them, in order to make your and my projects equally fit for purpose instead of bending and breaking forever to optimize the last thousand.

In this sense: Cheers to you!