Puzzles, puzzles, puzzles
Chris Hlas, [email protected]
UW-Eau Claire
Arithmagons
Arithmagons
Arithmagons
Arithmagons
A puzzle is a fun problem.
— Jesse Schell, game designer
MOST
+MOST
TOKYO
Cryptarithms
A puzzle is fun, it has a right answer.
— Scott Kim, puzzle designer
Kakooma
A puzzle is an activity where one side will
have all the advantages (the puzzle
creator), but the disadvantaged side (the
solver) is expected to win.
— Mike Selinker, game/puzzle designer
Kakuro
Puzzles are rule-based systems, like
games, but the goal is to find a solution,
not to beat an opponent. Unlike games,
puzzles have little replay value.
— Scott Kim, puzzle designer
Why puzzles
Self-determination theory
• Autonomy
• Mastery
• Relatedness/Purpose
Why puzzles
Self-determination theory
• Autonomy - multiple paths
• Mastery - self-correcting
• Purpose - structured goals
4*4 + 4/4
(4! + 4! + 4!)/4
Next?
Four 4’s
Shikaku
Calcu-doku
Magic squares
Sudoku
Crafting
Missing information
Missing information
Cuisenaire rods
Puzzle Craft
Final thoughts
Self-correcting + Structured goals
= Meta-puzzles
Other
• Refraction http://play.centerforgamescience.org/refraction/
• Motion Math (iOS)
http://motionmathgames.com/
• Dragon Box
http://www.dragonboxapp.com/
• Path Pix (PC, mobile)
http://kpixgames.com/PathPix/index.htm
• Project Euler
http://www.projecteuler.net