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Puzzle Game Design
Kurt Bieg, Simple Machine
http://www.simplemachine.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/TilePuzzle.zip
Kurt @
SimpleMachine.co
Classic puzzle game, you say?
Some examples:
Triple Town
Candy CrushSaga
Crosswords
Tetris Angry Birds
Mahjongg
To What End?
Everyone want success
Everyone wants zen
Everyone wants mastery
Everyone wants fun
Everyone wants brains
Time Learning Morse Code
4 Elements of Classic Puzzle
Game1. Single Step Mechanic
2. Compound Agency
3. Presented Randomness
4. State of Order
1. Single Step Mechanic
Do one single thing and only one single thing
The Rubix Cube
The player may only rotate one row or column.
1. Single Step Mechanic
The physical design prevents the player
from making more than one move at a time.
2. Compound Agency
Sequential repetition of the single step mechanic
creates EXCITEMENT.
Sudoku
Writing a number in an empty space so long as it’s not a duplicate in a row, column, or box.
1. Single Step Mechanic
The first answers are simple.
More answers require more problem solving.
2. Compound Agency
3. Constrained Randomness
A set of objects in randomness.
Bejeweled
1. Single Step Mechanic
Swap any 2 adjacent gems to create 3 in a row.
2. Compound Agency
Make as many matches as possible.
3. Constrained Randomness
Randomly repopulated gems.
4. State of Order
A final state the player is attempting to reach
ZEN
Solitaire
1. Single Step Mechanic
Place a card on a pile if it is the opposite color and 1 less.
2. Compound Agency
Putting cards on increases difficulty for additional plays.
3. Constrained Randomness
The deck is shuffled each time the player restarts.
3. State of Order
All cards sorted into 4 piles by suit and value.
Bonus: Frequency
How often something occurs
A 2x2 grid of GO is not a game. A 19x19 grid of GO is one of the hardest games you’ll find.
Match 3•Number of gem types
•Number of moves in a given turn
•Total time
•Time per move
•Grid size
•Empty spaces
•Direction of swap
•Distance of swap
•Combinable gems
If there’s one thing you think is unchangeable, change it.
Pro Tip
