Contrary Popular Design: Using the 4 Elements of Every Classic Puzzle
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Contrary Popular Design Kurt Bieg, Simple Machine Monday, January 6, 14
description
Here I describe the 4 elements of I've discovered in almost every classic puzzle game, from Crosswords to Solitaire, and how to use them to create new innovative gaming experiences.
Transcript of Contrary Popular Design: Using the 4 Elements of Every Classic Puzzle
Contrary Popular Design
Kurt Bieg, Simple Machine
Monday, January 6, 14
kurt@
simplemachine.co
Monday, January 6, 14
Circadia 4 ThronesEven Up Tomb Breaker
Monday, January 6, 14
http://bit.ly/4ThronesKS
bit.ly/4ThronesKS
Monday, January 6, 14
Popular = Classic Puzzles
Contrary = Inverse
Design = Design
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4 Elements of Every Classic Puzzle Game
1. Single Step Mechanic
2. Compound Agency
3. Presented Randomness
4. State of Order
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Some examples:
Triple Town
Candy CrushSaga
Crosswords
Tetris Angry Birds
Mahjongg
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1. Single Step Mechanic
Do one single thing and only one single thing
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The Rubix Cube
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The player may only rotate one row or column.
1. Single Step Mechanic
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2. Compound Agency
Sequential repetition of the single step mechanic creates EXCITEMENT.
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Sudoku
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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
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The first answers are simple.
Later answers require a
multitude of crosschecking.
2. Compound Agency
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3. Presented Randomness
A set of objects presented in constrained randomness.
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Bejeweled
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1. Single Step Mechanic
Swap any 2 neighbors up,
down, left, or right to create 3 in a
row.
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2. Compound Agency
Making timed multiple matches
increases the score multiplier.
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3. Presented Randomness
Randomly repopulated tiles,
presented for player choice.
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4. State of Order
A final state the player is attempting to reach
ZEN
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Solitaire
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1. Single Step Mechanic
Place a card on a pile if it is the
opposite color and 1 less
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2. Compound Agency
Putting cards on later can mean ruining the end
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3. Presented Randomness
The deck is shuffled each time the player restarts
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3. State of Order
All cards sorted into 4 piles by suit
and value
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Contrary Popular Design
applied to
Solitaire
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4 Thrones
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Find Solitaire Differentiators• Designed specifically for mobile.
• Easy to use (single handed).
• Inspiring aesthetic.
• Super easy to pick up and play.
• An original variant.
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Think Contrarian-ly
• What if there weren’t any suits?
• What if there are no face cards?
• What if the goal is to disorganize the cards?
• What if cards are two sided, like a coin?
• What if you can’t use certain cards?
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Invert Solitaire Elements
• Remove opposite suit rule, allow any higher card on a pile.
• Give face cards unique suit requirements
• Condense game to 4 piles.
• Placing all 52 cards onto 4 piles.
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Read more at simplemachine.co
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Thank You!
kurt@
simplemachine.co
Monday, January 6, 14
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