Case Study: Like Reality, But Better

What is the basic idea for the app?

In just five weeks from when the iPad was announced to when it was launched, Amy and David Jones designed and built Sudoku Real Edition. The concept: take a game people play in real life and digitize it. Then, add features which enhance the experience.

How did we make it? 

First, the puzzles were generated in Ruby. We created a Ruby script and then, to get enough games at different levels of difficulty, generated over 5,000 puzzles. The application (to actually make the game run) is written in Objective-C on the iOS platform. The Sudoku Real Edition website is built with Refinery CMS.

What makes it special?

Our goal was to make the experience as “real” as possible, as if you bought a Sudoku book and sat down at a table to play. By taking this approach we create an experience people already know how to use.

We incorporated photos of a bedside cabinet, a binder, etc so all the major graphical elements feel realistic. Even the sound and animations are modeled on a real book. Instead of a pause screen, for example, Sudoku Real Edition implements a bookmark that slides into place.

What makes it better?

Records keep track of your progress and compute your best and average time for completing the puzzles at each difficulty level. For those who like to know right away, you can be told if the number you entered is correct or not. 

Version 2

And now, version 2 has multi-player abilities in two modes, twice as many boards as V1, and it’s a universal application (iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch). There’s even support for Apple’s gaming social network, Game Center. Check out the trailer video and see for yourself or download from the App store.

"All in all, it looks like a beautiful game and a worthy member of the new iPad App Store community." -- The Unofficial Apple Weblog

"Well iPad sudoku fans, your dreams have come true today in the form of Sudoku Real Edition."
-- Appadvice