Decision Space Defines Difficulty Not Map Size
At first glance, it’s natural to assume that bigger maps are harder. More space.More possibilities.More complexity. But in Crowns & […]
Game Design
Game Design
Why Build Count — Not Board Size — Determines Difficulty
When people first look at a puzzle, they often assume one thing: Bigger board = harder puzzle. It seems intuitive.
Behind the Game
Why “Crowns & Towns” Was the Right Name
(A follow up to The Story Behind the Name “Crowns & Towns” article.) Before Crowns & Towns became the final
Behind the Game
The Story Behind the Name “Crowns & Towns”
Before it was Crowns & Towns, it had many names. Some focused on building.Others leaned into kingdoms.Some emphasized strategy. But
Strategy & Mechanics
Less Is More: A Strategy Shift
One of the hardest lessons in Crowns & Towns is this: Building more doesn’t mean scoring more. In fact, it
Game Design
The Puzzle Teaches Itself
A good puzzle explains itself. A great puzzle doesn’t need to. When designing Crowns & Towns, the goal wasn’t to
Game Design
When Scoring Becomes a Process, Not a Formula
One of the biggest challenges in puzzle design is explaining scoring without overwhelming the player. At some point, every system
Game Design
The Power of Non-Scoring Structures
A key rule in Crowns & Towns is subtle, easy to miss, and incredibly important: Structures can provide support even
Strategy & Mechanics
2 Points Per Build: The Sweet Spot
As you play Crowns & Towns, you may begin to notice a pattern. The best solutions tend to land around
Game Design
The Hidden Math: The 2-to-1 System
At first glance, Crowns & Towns feels simple. Draw shapes. Build structures. Add up points. But beneath that simplicity is