Criteria for SmartGames

Below is the check list I personally use to decide whether a concept is worth developing into a single-player game for SmartGames. Other people may, of course, have different criteria.

Essential requirements:

1) Multiple challenges: The game must offer at least 48 - 60 challenges, ranging from easy to difficult.

> So, no “brainteasers” with only a handful of possibilities or a single solution.

2) The game needs either an engaging theme or visually attractive elements—ideally something iconic. Does it make you want to pick it up the first time you see it?

> So, no puzzles that result in a flat or unexciting appearance due to functional constraints, no matter how strong the challenges are.

3) The target audience is the average customer who enjoys puzzling:

• Affordability: Strike a good balance between price and quality.

• Playtime: At least 3–4 hours of play if all challenges are attempted sequentially (more is better).

• Accessibility: Doesn’t look too difficult or too complex. The game’s appearance shouldn’t intimidate novices, while still looking interesting for puzzle wizards.

• Simple Rules 1-2-3: Easy-to-learn game rules.

> So no niche products that are only interesting for 1% of the population, because they work or look too complex.

4) Players should be able to use their skills and strategies to solve challenges more effectively than by brute-force trial and error.

> Challenges should include “hidden information” or hints that reward logical thinking.

Bonus points (desirable, but not strictly required):

5) Variation between the challenges is king! Is there much variation possible between different challenges and levels, apart from the difficulty?

• Will the game offer different types of problems (packing problem, connection game, match game, sequential movement puzzle, logic game) in one game?

• Do you sometimes need to shift your solution strategy in order to progress to the next level?

• Do challenges and/or solutions look visually different between levels? Do challenges have personality, so that all challenges don't feel like more of the same?

• For preschool SmartGames: does the game offer other play modes apart from the puzzle? Can it also be used for open-ended play (role playing, story telling, imaginary play, etc)?

6) Self-Explanatory: The game’s objective should be evident upon looking at it. If there’s a theme or story, ensure it aligns with the game rules.

7) Challenges should be straightforward to set up AND/OR solutions should be easy to check.

> Often it's one of both at the expense of the other. For example, in IQ-games, easy challenges take more time to set up than to solve. For harder challenges, it's the other way around. Sequential movement puzzles often require a lot of setup, but the solution is obvious (you reached your goal). In logic games, there is often no setup (which is very easy, of course), but you have to check each part of the solution afterwards, because the fact that everything fits doesn't mean that it's solved correctly.

8) Distinctiveness: The game should stand out from others that look or function similarly.

> "Distinctive" is for me more important than "original". If it's original, but it looks similar to existing products, nobody will know that it is original. If it's original, but it doesn't work equally well or better than something existing, then "original" is not a quality but only shallow and superficial.

9) User-Friendly Pieces: The game pieces should be fun to manipulate. Handling the game should not be frustrating.

10) Does the game mechanism help you to avoid making mistakes?

• During setup?

• When you solve it?

• Can you easily undo steps without making errors or without the need to start from scratch (this is only relevant for sequential movement puzzles)?

11) The game mechanics should be transparent for players to anticipate outcomes once they understand the rules. Otherwise, solving feels like luck or mere patience.

12) Does the game deliver satisfying “aha!” moments when solving? Can it still surprise after 20+ challenges? Does it offer a rewarding feedback loop?

13) Is the game self-contained? The game should store neatly, with an easy way to check that all pieces are included.