What is the puzzle generator?
The puzzle generator is what the name says, a powerful engine that can be used to generate challenging new puzzles on demand. There is no limit to the number of puzzles that can be generated, so you can just go on playing.
The puzzle generator is built into the app and can be unlocked as an in-app purchase.
The puzzle generator is built into the app and can be unlocked as an in-app purchase.
Is it possible to choose what kind of puzzles are generated?
Absolutely. The puzzle generator has its own page of settings. Here are some of the ways that the generator can be tuned:
- Four different play modes are supported. Choose the play mode that best suits your level of skill, from beginner to expert puzzler (details below).
- Choose which puzzle sizes are generated, ranging from 4x4 to 9x9.
- Choose whether clues may be hidden or not.
- Choose whether easier or harder puzzles should be generated.
Can I try before I buy?
Yes. A free preview of the puzzle generator is available, which makes it possible to explore the play modes and play some example puzzles. To launch the preview, select Puzzle Generator from the main menu and tap the button Free preview.
Does the puzzle generator support family sharing?
Yes. Once a family member has purchased the puzzle generator, other family members can share the same purchase and unlock the puzzle generator too. This is done by navigating to the puzzle generator and tapping Restore purchases.
What are the different modes of play?
An overview of the play modes is shown in the following table, the different modes are described in more detail below.
| Mode | Puzzle sizes | Difficulty range | Max. complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keep it simple | 4x4 - 7x7 | ★ | |
| Normal | 5x5 - 8x8 | ★ | |
| Advanced | 5x5 - 9x9 | ★ ★ | |
| Expert | 5x5 - 9x9 | ★ ★ ★ |
Keep It Simple
Keep It Simple generates puzzles that range in difficulty from EASY to MEDIUM, ideal for beginners. Instead of large puzzles, this mode has 4x4 puzzles!
Normal
Normal mode generates puzzles that range in difficulty from EASY to DIFFICULT. Puzzles can range in size from 5x5 to 8x8. The puzzles in the Challenge Trail and in the Crafty, Sneaky and Tricky puzzle packs were generated using Normal mode.
Advanced
In Advanced mode, new puzzles range in difficulty from QUITE EASY to VERY DIFFICULT. Some puzzles have more logical complexity than in Normal mode, so they require more skill to be solved. 9x9 puzzles are also supported.
Expert
In Expert mode, new puzzles range in difficulty from MEDIUM to VERY DIFFICULT. 9x9 puzzles are also supported. This mode generates the hardest puzzles of all, even the 5x5 puzzles can be very difficult!
The mode of play can be selected in the puzzle generator settings and it can be changed at any time.
The mode of play can be selected in the puzzle generator settings and it can be changed at any time.
How difficult will the puzzles be when the weight is set to "harder puzzles", or one of the other difficulty categories?
The actual difficulty will depend on the play mode (see above). For example, when Expert is selected as play mode, the puzzles can range in difficulty from Medium to Very Difficult. This means, the difficulty categories will usually apply as follows:
The generator always makes a best effort to generate a puzzle that has the target difficulty, but it doesn't try forever. Sometimes, a puzzle with the next level of difficulty will be delivered instead.
- Easier puzzles: Medium
- Middle difficulty: Difficult
- Harder puzzles: Very Difficult
The generator always makes a best effort to generate a puzzle that has the target difficulty, but it doesn't try forever. Sometimes, a puzzle with the next level of difficulty will be delivered instead.
How should the difficulty weights be set in order to give a random mix of difficulties?
Just give equal weight to each of the difficulty categories.
How does the leaderboard work?
The puzzle generator has a recurring leaderboard that resets every 24 hours. This lets players challenge each other on a daily basis.
The great thing about the Puzzle Generator leaderboard is that you don't need to be an expert to be at the top, you just need to solve a lot of puzzles! It sometimes gets quite competitive, with the keener players leapfrogging each other and setting new targets to beat.
The great thing about the Puzzle Generator leaderboard is that you don't need to be an expert to be at the top, you just need to solve a lot of puzzles! It sometimes gets quite competitive, with the keener players leapfrogging each other and setting new targets to beat.
Does the puzzle generator get its puzzles from a pool of pre-generated puzzles?
No. The built-in puzzle generator generates completely new puzzles on demand. The puzzles are not saved either, so once a puzzle has been played it is discarded... then another new one is generated.
The preview of the puzzle generator is different. Here, the puzzles are selected from a pool of pre-generated puzzles. The link "more about the preview" explains the details.
The preview of the puzzle generator is different. Here, the puzzles are selected from a pool of pre-generated puzzles. The link "more about the preview" explains the details.
How does the full version of the puzzle generator differ from the preview?
There are a couple of key differences:
- In the full version, you have an endless supply of new puzzles in all play modes. This means you can just go on playing and there is never any shortage of puzzles.
- The full version generates its puzzles on demand using the built-in puzzle generator, none of the puzzles are pre-generated.
Does the puzzle generator generate puzzles as good as those in the preview?
Of course - the puzzles in the preview were generated using the same puzzle generator! In fact, all of the puzzles in the Sumaddle app were generated using the Sumaddle puzzle generator.
How long does it take to generate a puzzle?
The puzzle generator is fast. For all puzzle sizes up to and including 7x7, it takes no more than a few seconds to generate a new puzzle. Usually, it takes less than a second.
8x8 puzzles can take a little longer to generate, although even these puzzles are usually generated in less than 5 seconds. 9x9 puzzles take the longest, sometimes taking up to half a minute.
8x8 puzzles can take a little longer to generate, although even these puzzles are usually generated in less than 5 seconds. 9x9 puzzles take the longest, sometimes taking up to half a minute.
Does the built-in help work for the puzzles generated by the puzzle generator?
Yes. The help is always determined dynamically according to the state of a puzzle, it is not pre-programmed. It works for the puzzles generated on demand by the puzzle generator just as it does for the other puzzles in the app, explanations included.
I am not seeing any 4x4 or 9x9 puzzles. What do I need to do?
You just need to modify the generator settings:
- for 4x4 puzzles, select the play mode Keep It Simple and set a generator weight for 4x4 puzzles;
- for 9x9 puzzles, select one of the play modes Advanced or Expert and set a generator weight for 9x9 puzzles.
Why is it not possible to select the skill level when a 4x4 puzzle is generated on demand?
Due to their small size, 4x4 puzzles do not have the same diversity as larger puzzles and most 4x4 puzzles are Easy. For this reason, it is not possible to support a choice of skill levels for 4x4 puzzles.
When a 4x4 puzzle is generated on demand, the generator uses the skill level for the play mode that is currently active. A minimum level of difficulty is not enforced, so most 4x4 puzzles will turn out to be Easy. However, when running in Expert mode, the puzzles may occasionally be harder.
When a 4x4 puzzle is generated on demand, the generator uses the skill level for the play mode that is currently active. A minimum level of difficulty is not enforced, so most 4x4 puzzles will turn out to be Easy. However, when running in Expert mode, the puzzles may occasionally be harder.