ZZizzle 5.4.0

ZZ is an engaging and thoughtfully designed crossword game that emphasizes user success, enjoyment, and active participation. Its structure guides players through solutions in a way that balances challenge with approachability, positioning the most difficult answers towards the end of each puzzle, by which time players have typically entered many of the supporting letters.

The game provides three distinct clues for each solution:

• Visual Clue, which appears automatically alongside the solution letters
• First Verbal Clue, available upon tapping the number "1"
• Second Verbal Clue, accessible by tapping the number "2"

Scoring is based on the clues viewed prior to correctly entering a solution:

• Time taken does not influence point accumulation
• The Visual Clue yields the highest points achievement
• The first Verbal Clue grants approximately half the points of the Visual Clue
• The second Verbal Clue offers roughly half the points of the first Verbal Clue
• Points are awarded immediately upon solution entry and are never subtracted
• Revealing clues after solving does not impact current scores
• Engaging with all clues enhances puzzle-solving skills over time

The game includes a "Disclose" feature activated by tapping the "?," which reveals solutions incrementally, one letter at a time. This feature is intended as a helpful aid rather than for scoring purposes:

• "?" appears when tapping "2"
• Tap "?"" to disclose one letter at a time without earning points for these letters
• Disclosed solutions contribute to overall solution counts but do not affect scoring
• This feature is useful for assistance when needed and does not penalize players

The Colored Grid Screen (CGS) visually tracks progress with color-coded background indicators for each entered solution:

• Blue for solutions entered after only viewing the Visual Clue
• Red following viewing of the First Verbal Clue
• Pink when both Verbal Clues have been viewed before entry
• Green signifies solutions disclosed via the Disclose feature

Additionally, the CGS includes a scoreboard comprising three columns:

• Clues – color-coded according to clue type encountered during solving
• Solutions – number of solutions entered per category
• Score – total points accumulated for solutions within each category

The scoreboard displays cumulative totals at the bottom, with maximum achievable solutions and points shown beneath.

The game features a timer that provides 30 seconds to complete each Clue Solution Combination (CSC). While it does not affect scoring, it offers pacing control:

• If time expires, the next CSC appears automatically
• Tapping the Back Arrow extends the timer or initiates a new CSC with a fresh 30-second window

The Active Grid Screen (AGS) appears shortly after the CGS and offers additional navigational options:

• Tapping on any Solution Space navigates within primary (blue) or secondary (orange) regions; toggling between them is possible via specific icons or taps on corresponding cells
• Solutions can only be entered on the CSC screens; solutions cannot be input directly within the AGS unless returning to the main CSC view by tapping the blue icon at its bottom—focused on primary solutions.

ZZ aims to serve an international audience by encouraging contributions such as puzzle grids, visual clues, and verbal clues—particularly those relevant to specific countries or continents. These contributions enhance the experience for all players and foster a diverse selection of challenges.

Submissions can be sent to: [email protected].