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what's next?
https://www.calcudoku.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=755
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Author:  pnm  [ Tue Nov 24, 2015 10:52 pm ]
Post subject:  what's next?

For the next new thing I'm thinking of doing one of these two:

- a 2 player version of Calcudoku (for example, as proposed by clm in this post: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=358&p=3404#p3404)

- a "monthly magazine", which in reality would be a "cheap edition" book (as cheaply as Amazon Createspace will allow, say $4.95 for a small format 100 page book)
with a large variety of puzzles appearing every month (with maybe 10 puzzles for points)

Any other ideas, preferences [confused] [confused] [confused]

Author:  nailhouse  [ Sun Nov 29, 2015 9:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: what's next?

Some things i have thought of
A tutorial puzzle, of a difficult type with the possibilty to buy hints.
- each time you buy a hint, you receive less points for the solution
- preferentially, the hint should be based on what you have filled in already, e.g.
-- error checking on the partial solution
-- indicating a cell that can be solved on that point
-- indicating what rule can be used there
-- or revealing a chosen cell
I expect that most difficult puzzles can only be solved in one specific order

Other ideas
Maybe it is possible to device puzzles using with for example 5, 4, 3, 2,1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/5.
Or maybe 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16.

It was suggested already by someone in the past : 3D calcudoku. It seems difficult to me to device a practical viewer for this.

I hope that these thoughts are helpful...

Author:  pnm  [ Mon Nov 30, 2015 9:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: what's next?

nailhouse wrote:
I hope that these thoughts are helpful...

yes, many thanks [lol]

Author:  sjs34  [ Tue Dec 08, 2015 10:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: what's next?

Sorry to be negative but I don't like most of these ideas. I wouldn't do 2 player calcudoku. I might subscribe to a monthly magazine but with major ambivalence and I don't really think that it is needed. I don't like the buying hints idea.

The division/fractions idea is interesting although I have a hard time imagining how it would work. Same for the 3D idea plus I'd be bad at it if it is doable.

I do like interesting new types of puzzles. 15x15 and no-ops were very welcome additions. I liked the large cell puzzles that showed up once in the bonus puzzles and in one of the end of the year puzzles. Kozibrada had some very elegant user created puzzles. I imagine there are other clever ideas but they don't jump to mind.

Author:  pnm  [ Wed Dec 09, 2015 2:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: what's next?

sjs34 wrote:
I might subscribe to a monthly magazine but with major ambivalence and I don't really think that it is needed

None of this is needed [lol]

The monthly "magazine" (really a book) is the easiest and will probably happen.

The goal is to make it as cheap as possible, probably priced at $3.99 for 100 pages (so royalty close to zero [scared] )

Author:  sjs34  [ Wed Dec 09, 2015 3:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: what's next?

Snarky [lol]

Author:  pnm  [ Thu Dec 17, 2015 10:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: what's next?

Alright, I figured the first one should be published early, in time for the holidays:

http://www.amazon.com/Calcudoku-January ... 1519630123



Image

[lol]

The same size (width x height) as the other puzzle books, and priced
as low as possible ($3.99 / 3.49 euro / 2.99 pounds)

Author:  frederick  [ Thu Dec 17, 2015 10:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: what's next?

Just to clarify:
Does this mean $48.00 US per year for approximately 1200 points per year?

Author:  pnm  [ Thu Dec 17, 2015 10:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: what's next?

frederick wrote:
Just to clarify:
Does this mean $48.00 US per year for approximately 1200 points per year?

Well if you want to put it that way...

There are 30 difficult puzzles at 8 points each = 240 points x 12 = 2880.

Obviously this being a physical item I can't make it much cheaper

(my royalties on the UK version, for example, are 1 (one) penny for each book sold)

Edit: could also remove the points rewards if people feel they have to buy the book for the points?

Author:  frederick  [ Fri Dec 18, 2015 3:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: what's next?

I am sure that all users of your site appreciate the effort you make . You have created a wonderful puzzle domain and I, for one, enjoy every minute I spend here. Well almost every minute.

I am sure you have other objectives in mind with the launch of your magazine and I will support you. I hope I can receive the forthcoming issues electronically saving you publishing money and all of us paper. As I am approaching the completion of book puzzles in a very measured way it will take some time before I can submit the magazine puzzles which award points but that is neither here nor there. As I suspect for many I only do the puzzles which award points for my effort, this is both given the time I have to complete them but also in doing the daily puzzles plus the book puzzles I take enough pleasure.

IAnd …. Have a great festive season.

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