I’m working on a block puzzle game. The objective is to cover the entire puzzle area with blocks of various sizes. So far I’ve got the basic structure up (it will only run in web browsers that support the Canvas HTML element, so Safari, Firefox, Google Chrome, and maybe Opera). Scoring for the game depends on what types of blocks are used (you’ll notice those little 1 by 1 squares are worth no points).
I’m looking for feedback on how to improve the puzzles.
https://davidwees.com/javascript/blockgame/
Some ideas I’ve had are:
- Restrict what playing pieces the players can use.
- Randomize the playing pieces to which the players have access.
- Allow more access to different kinds of shapes, such as triangles, pentiminoes, heximinoes, etc…
Update:
Here is some feedback I’ve received as well from other sources.
- Change the images that turn into the blocks into pictures of the blocks. @joshgiesbrecht
- Change from scoring blocks to a par system (like golf) where players get scored on the number of blocks used. @joshgiesbrecht
- Make the point that one gets a higher score from using larger pieces more obvious. @joshgiesbrecht
Max says:
I had fun with the game and set myself some personal goals like using as large blocks as possible, as many different as possible, making symmetry, etc. I’d be interested in ways to formalize those challenges a bit… whether it’s through unlocking bonuses, saving and labeling your answer, or something else. I also wondered, “I wonder if there is a maximum score for this puzzle? How can I get closer?” And also, “Could I figure out how the scoring works?”
June 7, 2012 — 2:22 pm
David Wees says:
Challenges are a good idea. I can also imagine putting this game on a login website (perhaps logging in would be optional, if you wanted to save your progress?) and then allowing players to keep track of which puzzles they have completed, and which ones they have not yet finished.
One thing I really like about this game (obviously biased here) is the many, many ways the game can be extended. I really like your ideas of symmetry, and maximal box sizes, etc…
June 7, 2012 — 2:32 pm
TeaKayB says:
How about different scoring systems? For example, one challenge could be to use as many different sizes of block as possible to maximise your score.
June 7, 2012 — 5:10 pm