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Show HN: I built a word game. My mom thinks it's great. What do you think?

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Re: Show HN: I built a word game. My mom thinks it's great. What do you think?

#181

Post by asutekku »

jen729w wrote: post #162
benrutter wrote: post #105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I love cryptic crossword, but there's so many "inside rules" that make them hard to approach for newcomers. It doesn't help that there really aren't a lot of good easy cryptics.

Yeah but that's like saying that there are so many "openings" in chess, it makes it hard for newcomers. That's the game! The 'inside rules' for a cryptic are what makes it cryptic . Without them you just have a word puzzle.

The thing with chess, even if you don't know the rules, you can still play and (potentially) lose the game. If you don't know some random american trivia, you're stuck forever.

Re: Show HN: I built a word game. My mom thinks it's great. What do you think?

#182

Post by coldtrait »

wordglyph wrote: post #109
Y444 wrote: post #71

Product manager ex. game designer with a number of puzzle/word game in operation here. - Having a timer (urgency) is usually not a very good idea for thinky games. If you insist on having a timer consider making it count upwards. - Additionally as other commenters mentioned is the game is a time trial it needs an explicit “Start” button. Also stop the timer when user is not playing e.g. reading the rules. - There’s n…

[flagged]

Thanks , just found a new fun word game!

Re: Show HN: I built a word game. My mom thinks it's great. What do you think?

#183

Post by Y444 »

4887d30omd8 wrote: post #149
Y444 wrote: post #71

Product manager ex. game designer with a number of puzzle/word game in operation here. - Having a timer (urgency) is usually not a very good idea for thinky games. If you insist on having a timer consider making it count upwards. - Additionally as other commenters mentioned is the game is a time trial it needs an explicit “Start” button. Also stop the timer when user is not playing e.g. reading the rules. - There’s n…

This is good feedback. Is there a single resource you would recommend for someone somewhat interested in game design?

If you want a general overview try finding a book called “Fundamentals of Fame Design” by Ernest Adams. It is a sensible intro, after that - just dive into thematic communities and do your own things.

I know nothing about formal game design education sorry.

Re: Show HN: I built a word game. My mom thinks it's great. What do you think?

#185

Post by esperent »

godelski wrote: post #142

First off, I love the game. Your mom isn't just placating you. It is fun. Second, I think given all this advice a real clear example can be seen by looking at NYT's Wordle[0]. Instructions are the first thing you see and cover the puzzle. You then click start. Importantly, the instructions have an example. While the puzzle is extremely intuitive, an example can eliminate almost any ambiguity (intuitive for most peopl…

> Personally, I like the timer.

Personally, I hate the timer. It makes me feel stressed. I guessed the first word then decided to stop playing because of the timer.

It's clear while some people appreciate it, many people won't play the game if it has a timer. So, make it optional.

Re: Show HN: I built a word game. My mom thinks it's great. What do you think?

#186

Post by ugh123 »

Y444 wrote: post #71

Product manager ex. game designer with a number of puzzle/word game in operation here. - Having a timer (urgency) is usually not a very good idea for thinky games. If you insist on having a timer consider making it count upwards. - Additionally as other commenters mentioned is the game is a time trial it needs an explicit “Start” button. Also stop the timer when user is not playing e.g. reading the rules. - There’s n…

>There’s no point of having a “Play again” option for a Wordle style daily game, the thinking part is already done, so any replay is just an exercise in dexterity.

What if i'm handing it to a friend/spouse to play to beat my time?

>Consider having some sort of overarching thing in your puzzle, so it’s not just five words on a specific topic to guess, but something more, like a hidden word across all five etc. This makes a delightful discovery moment and sometimes might work as a clue.

That just sounds like your idea for a different type of game. I like his current idea for this game.

Re: Show HN: I built a word game. My mom thinks it's great. What do you think?

#187

Post by genezeta »

While the game is ok, there's unfortunately a problem on Firefox on Android.

I know, who cares, only three people in the planet use Firefox on Android. But if you want to know anyway...

The problem is the sizes are not adjusted correctly and so the fixed header/upper part overlaps the scrambled word list, almost completely hiding the first word. You can, through some tricky scrolling, manage to see it and then solve it. But it's tricky. And ugly.

Re: Show HN: I built a word game. My mom thinks it's great. What do you think?

#188

Post by MrJohz »

genezeta wrote: post #187

While the game is ok, there's unfortunately a problem on Firefox on Android. I know, who cares, only three people in the planet use Firefox on Android. But if you want to know anyway... The problem is the sizes are not adjusted correctly and so the fixed header/upper part overlaps the scrambled word list, almost completely hiding the first word. You can, through some tricky scrolling, manage to see it and then solve…

Fwiw, I am one of the other two people with Firefox on Android and am not having this issue, so it might be a question of screen size rather than browser?
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