When was the last time a word in your favorite word game completely threw you for a loop? Perhaps it was something as perplexing as “quixotic” or “ephemeral”, but maybe it was simply a “gnat” that turned out to be more intricate than it appeared. You know what, here’s a little secret. As a puzzle designer, I can tell you that each number, or rather every word is carefully selected not by mere chance. It forms part of a carefully fashioned plan intended to keep you glued, entertained, and importantly challenged.
In truth, finding the “right” word and defining it ‘constructing’ takes both creativity and systematic approach. Like preparing a party playlist, it is important to strike a balance between surprise, familiarity, and the amount of difficulty present or rather available to ensure everyone is kept on their toes. Let’s see the steps that we as developers take from here on.
Step 1: The Word Bank Foundation
Without a solid word bank, no word game can thrive, and that meticulously arranged word bank features as the backbone of the game. Think of it as a compilation of all words players can come across, and the quality matters. We focus on a combination of the below:
- Dictionaries: The first and most important component is Merriam-Webster and Oxford dictionary which can serve as a source. Of course, they don’t provide the entire dictionary for free, and additional groundwork has to be put in.
- Player Skill Levels: To accentuate the skill level, players will be bracketed according to three segments of expertise. Beginners will to be met with Apple and Dog while intermediates will be exposed to zymurgy and midge.
- Cultural Relevance: The modern era is far more fast-paced. During this timeframe, language adaptation is pivotal. Words that are relevant to the public like “fomo” or “selfie” need to exist to make it appealing to the audience.
Though our focus is refining it in the first place, we work on the entire word bank itslef and take care of keeping the game simple and not overwhelming for the player. Words that are overly controversial are flagged to remove which goes beyond where we need.
Step 2: Maintaining Balance
For selecting words, the balance principle reigns supreme. With monotonous word selection, players do not find any challenge and lose interest. On the other side of the spectrum, using overly difficult words would lead to players getting frustrated. What’s key here is finding the soft spot.
1. Word Frequency
Players receiving the best word list requires complexity rather than an abundance of simple words, which requires the use of lower frequency words like equinox. This approach enables the creation of word selection using scarce, medium, and common synonyms to maintain a challenge while achieving goals.
2. Contextual Themes
Many games revolve around thematic wording. A “sandal” level can focus on words such as “ocean” and “surfboard.” Those with higher rating strive toward leveling up and compete while those lower in the rank require ample guessing, striking a perfect balance for theme leveling fairness.
3. Word Length Variation
In order to keep up the rhythm, both short and long words must be used in conjunction. The goal here is strategically blending words filled with letters and those natural within conversation. Short words fuel confidence and the longer ones provide that satisfying “aha” moment.
Step 3: Testing, Testing, and More Testing
Even with the best word lists, they remain untested and thus theoretical. Here is where the magic happens:
1. Play Testing
Each word bank goes through intense playtesting which includes:
- Internal Testing: Our staff plays the game multiple times, taking note of any words that do not fit.
- Focus Group Testing: We bring in players from different skill levels and allow them to test the game to offer feedback.
2. Data Analysis
Every player action provides us with data, such as how long it takes for them to guess a word, what words get skipped most often, and more. This information helps us change word options, and difficulty levels, or remove inefficient words.
3. AI Assistance
Newer word games utilize AI to mimic players and test competing behavior. They are able to thoroughly test our word banks, looking for gaps in our research like frequently used words that lead to player abandonment.
Part 4: Bringing in Quirk
Words, at their essence, are more than collections of letters; they convey powerful messages. All these words need to be weaved into the game’s personality and tone. A whimsical game would likely feature words like “boing” or “fizz,” while a more cerebral offering may rely on “syllogism” or “paradox.”
This is also the chance to add some flair to the game. There is no better way to put a smile on a player’s face than adding a quirky or unexpected word that feels like an inside joke with the game.
Part 5: Preparing for Translation
This is how the game would need to adapt if it went global. These are the steps involved with different languages and cultures:
- Translate and Validate: Not every word translates well. One word that is used in English might not have a straightforward counterpart in another language.
- Culturally Sensitive Words: As a rule of thumb, we avoid using words that may be deemed rude or have strange meanings in new parts of the world.
- Regional Differences: Take “favor” in American English which becomes “favour” in British English.
Part 6: Understanding Feelings
Beyond the scope of logic, word games delve deep into emotions. We strive towards
- Nostalgia: Familiar words trigger comforting feelings.
- Discovery: The challenge of defining a new word adds to a player’s sense of achievement.
- Triumph: The satisfaction of solving an intricate puzzle feels like a release of dopamine.
We add what we like to call “eureka words,” which are challenging but delightful to deduce. Players especially appreciate sharing these eureka moments with peers, which helps build social hype for the game.
Step 7: Freshness Is Key
To maintain interest from players, we do the following things passed launching the game:
- Change Word List Rotations: Add new words based on seasons, holidays or special events. For example, “spooky” and “ghoul” during Halloween.
- Add New Curation Themes: New time-limited challenges or bonus rounds revolving around a specific word or set of words.
- Adapt Based on Users: If a word sticks out as a source of frustration or feels off, it’s important to take action quickly. User input is incredibly useful for making those decisions.
Why obsess over the nitty-gritty?
From the outside looking in, it might seem excessive to dedicate resources to every single word, but the reality is, making a word the player guessing game enjoyable relies on balance. Seamless immersion where the user achieves the intended goal and enjoys every moment along the way. Each and every word plays a pivotal role in achieving that state.
Break immersion, get kicked out of the flow a poorly chosen word will remove an otherwise mesmerizing state. Use the right words at ideal times, and players find themselves head over heels for the experience.
Conclusion: Are you Prepared to Play?
The next time you encounter a complex word puzzle, keep in mind that every possible solution has been meticulously crafted for you. As a developer, I can tell you that countless hours of my creative checks, thought processes, and testing have gone into my assuring that the word game challenges as well as delights you at the same time.
Now, if you are willing to test out your newfound knowledge and insights through a word game crafted with diligence and skill, I would suggest trying out Puzzle Jam today! We understand that people have different preferences when it comes to casual and hardcore puzzle enthusiasts which is why we have a treasure trove of words for you to unravel. Can’t wait to meet you at the leaderboard
