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Show HN: A web version of Pips game (NYT domino game)

pipsgamer.com

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Show HN: A web version of Pips game (NYT domino game)

#1

Post by kieojk »

Hi everyone,

I’m an indie developer learning Next.js and a big fan of the NYT game Pips. Inspired by it, I built https://pipsgamer.com — a responsive web version of Pips with smooth gameplay on both desktop and mobile.

What makes this project different from NYT’s version is that you can play it infinitely under three difficulty levels: Easy / Medium / Hard.

This is the first time I’ve built a game. Along the way I ran into many difficulties: implementing the game logic, configuring the UI, matching layouts for small and large screens, etc. I spent many lonely nights and sometimes even doubted whether I could complete the whole project. After 24 days of persistent effort, the project is finally finished.

No signup required — just go and play. If you try it out I’d really appreciate your feedback: what you like, what bugs you see, what could be improved.

Thanks!

Show HN: A web version of Pips game (NYT domino game)
pipsgamer.com

Re: Show HN: A web version of Pips game (NYT domino game)

#5

Post by Fraterkes »

I know I'm preaching to the choir here but I'm really surprised by how bad the UX is in many of the NYT games. Manipulating the dominoes in Pips just feels awkward and buggy.

And I know making games is difficult, but 1. games are a really significant portion of their subscription income, 2. there's obviously a lot of talent working at the Times (looking at their data vis stuff for example) 3. these games are (deliberately) simple, so why not iterate a bit more on making the few moving parts feel good?

Like, I think there's competent developers working at the Times. And building a pleasant, robust version of these simple games for one of the most prestigious employers in the world seems like it would be a really interesting and stimulating job. So I'd expect better results.

Also: I think this looks great and that your version is actually a bit nicer to use. Well done!

Re: Show HN: A web version of Pips game (NYT domino game)

#6

Post by draw_down »

Fraterkes wrote: post #5

I know I'm preaching to the choir here but I'm really surprised by how bad the UX is in many of the NYT games. Manipulating the dominoes in Pips just feels awkward and buggy. And I know making games is difficult, but 1. games are a really significant portion of their subscription income, 2. there's obviously a lot of talent working at the Times (looking at their data vis stuff for example) 3. these games are (deliber…

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Re: Show HN: A web version of Pips game (NYT domino game)

#8

Post by mh- »

aqme28 wrote: post #7

One UX feature I wish existed on the NYT game that you should add here is that I wish I could organize my dominoes. E.g. I wish I could put all the pieces with a zero into part of my playing area.

I've about thought this too.

I'd be happy with a "highlight dominoes" picker. Ticking zero would highlight the dominoes with zero, then you could also tick four, and you'd be left with only pieces that satisfy both.

Ideally it highlights matches in the tray and on the playing field.

Re: Show HN: A web version of Pips game (NYT domino game)

#9

Post by mh- »

Fraterkes wrote: post #5

I know I'm preaching to the choir here but I'm really surprised by how bad the UX is in many of the NYT games. Manipulating the dominoes in Pips just feels awkward and buggy. And I know making games is difficult, but 1. games are a really significant portion of their subscription income, 2. there's obviously a lot of talent working at the Times (looking at their data vis stuff for example) 3. these games are (deliber…

They are all webviews (except the crossword) now, so they're limited to what they can figure out in JS/CSS. That said, it could definitely be better even within those constraints.

Spelling Bee UX got noticeably worse when they switched it. Little things, like if you switch in and out of the app (say, using the official hints page), it ignores your first tap now.

Re: Show HN: A web version of Pips game (NYT domino game)

#10

Post by cnity »

mh- wrote: post #9
Fraterkes wrote: post #5

I know I'm preaching to the choir here but I'm really surprised by how bad the UX is in many of the NYT games. Manipulating the dominoes in Pips just feels awkward and buggy. And I know making games is difficult, but 1. games are a really significant portion of their subscription income, 2. there's obviously a lot of talent working at the Times (looking at their data vis stuff for example) 3. these games are (deliber…

They are all webviews (except the crossword) now, so they're limited to what they can figure out in JS/CSS. That said, it could definitely be better even within those constraints. Spelling Bee UX got noticeably worse when they switched it. Little things, like if you switch in and out of the app (say, using the official hints page), it ignores your first tap now.

Jumping on this thread to also highlight my main NY Times Games gripe: the Wordle keyboard will double register the same letter if you tap a neighbouring letter straight after. It's like the tap target area grows briefly after tapping a letter.

Example, I'll type "HYPER" and end up with "HHPEE".

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