Design notes, puzzle research, and things I learned while building a medieval treasure-chest game.
July 10, 2025 · 10 min read
Does practicing match-3 games actually make you think better? I reviewed more than 80 cognitive psychology studies on spatial training to separate real effects from marketing claims. Near transfer is solid; far transfer is still an open question. Basically, what the science says about these games is more nuanced than most press notes suggest.
June 25, 2025 · 7 min read
Medieval treasure chests are visually distinctive and universally recognizable. I explain why straight symbols and ornate locks work better than colored gems for a rotation-based match mechanic, and how Gestalt grouping principles shaped the visual design.
June 10, 2025 · 8 min read
A flat puzzle is a bounded problem. Add depth and the solution space explodes. I compare how 2D and 3D puzzle mechanics differ in cognitive load, spatial reasoning demands, and what makes each format satisfying in its own way.