January 2022

Su-3D-oku

In January 2022, during the Global Game Jam, I created a little puzzle game that combines the beloved classic Sudoku with a unique, challenging twist. The result is Su-3D-oku, a game that transforms the traditional 9x9 grid into a mind-bending 9x9x9 cube. This not only adds complexity but also opens up a new dimension (literally and figuratively) to the puzzle-solving experience.

Concept and gameplay

Su-3D-oku adheres to the fundamental rules of Sudoku: every row, column, and region must contain all digits from 1 to 9 exactly once. However, the game introduces an additional layer of complexity by extending these rules into the third dimension. Imagine a traditional Sudoku grid expanded into a cube where each slice, viewed from any angle, must also adhere to the classic rules. This means that a number placed on one layer affects the puzzle across all layers.

Players must visualize and manipulate the entire grid, considering how numbers align and interact through all dimensions. This added challenge makes Su-3D-oku not only a test of logic and pattern recognition but also of spatial awareness and memory.

Technical implementation

Su-3D-oku is built using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS, ensuring that it runs smoothly in modern web browsers without the need for additional software or plugins keeping load times quick and complexity low. The game leverages several innovative algorithms to generate and validate the 3D Sudoku puzzles.

• Puzzle Generation: The algorithm begins by filling the 9x9x9 grid with a complete, solved Sudoku puzzle. This ensures that the puzzle is solvable from the outset. To achieve this, the algorithm places numbers in such a way that all Sudoku rules are satisfied across all dimensions.
• Randomization: Once the initial solution is generated, the algorithm randomizes the rows, columns, layers, and regions. This shuffling process maintains the validity of the solution while creating a unique puzzle layout for each game.
• Puzzle Reduction: The algorithm then begins to empty cells at random, making sure to maintain at least one valid solution. This step involves using multiple lookup tables for each cell to check for the presence of duplicates or missing numbers. These tables track the placement of each number across rows, columns, layers, and regions, ensuring that the puzzle remains challenging yet solvable.
• Scalability: The algorithm is designed to handle even larger grids, such as 16x16x16, demonstrating its robustness and scalability. This opens up possibilities for future versions of Su-3D-oku that could cater to players seeking even more challenging puzzles.

User Experience

The user interface of Su-3D-oku is designed to be intuitive, despite the complexity of the game. Players can navigate through the different layers of the cube using simple controls, allowing them to focus on solving the puzzle rather than struggling with the interface. Visual aids such as hints are available to help players, when the wrong value is added to a cell it will light-up red to inform them of a conflict.

Feel free to try Su-3D-oku and experience the thrill of solving Sudoku in a whole new way. Happy puzzling!