Show HN: Infini3x3 – a simple tile moving game

[erwingo]

Hi HN!

I've had this simple game idea in mind for many years and started developing it multiple times but never finished it. After seeing the "Finish your projects" article, which was posted here recently, I decided to give it another try and finish it this time. So here it is, feedback appreciated! :)

Thanks,

Erwin

PS: I considered adding a tutorial but let's see if you can figure it out on your own ;) if not, here's how it works:

- connected blocks of 2 or more tiles (same color) can be moved via drag-and-drop to the gameboard's border, where they disappear

- while dragging a block, all other tiles remain static and function as obstructions so you can only move some blocks and only in some directions

- after removing a block, the board is refilled

[lourot]

Thanks! I don't understand the game still with the explanations :D This is probably me, but just in case this is useful, here is what/why I don't understand:

1. there seems to be only one thing I can do each time: take the biggest chunk and move it to a border, so I just keep doing that like a robot. I don't see where I have any kinds of choice or challenge?

2. it doesn't seem to make a difference to which border I move the big chunk (right, top, left, bottom)

3. sometimes after I have moved the chunk, the board changes only a bit, and sometimes it seems to get totally replaced by a new board. I don't understand why

[erwingo]

Thanks for trying it out! Hopefully these explanations help you, if not, please let me know.

1. Depending on the board constellation, there can be multiple different chunks which can be moved. For example, first row all black, second all white, third all black. The game ends when you remove a block where all tiles are the same color. So in this example, removing the white row would get you closer to that state.

2. Yes, when there are multiple directions towards which you can remove a chunk, it doesn't matter which one you choose.

3. In general, only the removed tiles are refilled. However, when this leads to a board with no possible move, e.g., like a chessboard pattern, the whole board gets replaced immediately.

[gorenb]

This is too much of a game of luck for me... sometimes I can't do it at all and I have to give up and sometimes I (like now) finish the game in four moves.

[erwingo]

Thanks for your comment! Yes, I totally agree regarding the "game of luck" part :D

[gorenb]

Still, it's incredibly addictive, and I feel the need for the source code of this.

[erwingo]

Maybe I'll release that some time in future but currently there are no concrete plans for that ;)

[mattbgates]

For me, a timer just starts, but no response to any key presses or mouse clicks. A refresh of the page does randomize the patterns but that's about it.

[erwingo]

Thanks for giving it a try and commenting! Please try dragging a block of 2 or more connected tiles (same color) to the border of the gameboard. While dragging a block, all other tiles are static/obstructions so you can't move blocks in all directions. edit: I've also added some instructions to the main post :)

[erwingo]

I've added a short video recording as a tutorial, linked on the main page. Hope that helps!