Puzzle Writing Resources: Difference between revisions
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This is a list of resources specific to writing hunt puzzles and running hunts. '''[[ |
This is a list of resources specific to writing hunt puzzles and running hunts. '''[[Community Resources]]''' gives a list of community resources, while '''[[Puzzle Solving Resources]]''' gives resources tailored for solving puzzles; many of these resources are helpful when constructing puzzles as well. (for instance, if you want to find words that fit a certain pattern when filling out a grid) |
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=Wisdom and Guidance= |
=Wisdom and Guidance= |
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===Puzzle Event Hosting Wisdom=== |
===Puzzle Event Hosting Wisdom=== |
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* [https://github.com/fortenforge/suggestions-for-running-a-puzzlehunt Suggestions for Running a Puzzlehunt] |
* [https://github.com/fortenforge/suggestions-for-running-a-puzzlehunt Suggestions for Running a Puzzlehunt] by Rahul Sridhar |
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* [http://www.baphl.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page&oldid=77 BAPHL wiki] |
* [http://www.baphl.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page&oldid=77 BAPHL wiki] |
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* [http://www.bayareanightgame.org/index.php/How_to_Host_a_BANG How to Host a BANG] |
* [http://www.bayareanightgame.org/index.php/How_to_Host_a_BANG How to Host a BANG] |
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* [https://www.alexirpan.com/2020/03/16/puzzlehunt-tech.html A Puzzlehunt Tech Checklist] |
* [https://www.alexirpan.com/2020/03/16/puzzlehunt-tech.html A Puzzlehunt Tech Checklist] |
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* [https://www.snout.org/game/ Game Control Summit] (videos from a now-defunct mini-con) |
* [https://www.snout.org/game/ Game Control Summit] (videos from a now-defunct mini-con) |
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* [https://iam.lumia.gay/puzzles/2024/01/18/mystery_hunt_timeline.html mystery hunt timeline] by Lumia Neyo, a timeline of things involved in running [[MIT Mystery Hunt|Mystery Hunt]] generally. |
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===Puzzle Writing Wisdom=== |
===Puzzle Writing Wisdom=== |
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* [http://www.bayareanightgame.org/index.php/How_to_Write_a_BANG_Puzzle How to Write a BANG Puzzle] |
* [http://www.bayareanightgame.org/index.php/How_to_Write_a_BANG_Puzzle How to Write a BANG Puzzle] |
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* [[Foggy Brume|Foggy Brume's]] Blogs on Puzzle Construction - [https://foggyb.livejournal.com/42978.html Part 1] [https://foggyb.livejournal.com/43107.html Part 2] [https://foggyb.livejournal.com/43360.html Part 3] |
* [[Foggy Brume|Foggy Brume's]] Blogs on Puzzle Construction - [https://foggyb.livejournal.com/42978.html Part 1] [https://foggyb.livejournal.com/43107.html Part 2] [https://foggyb.livejournal.com/43360.html Part 3] |
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* [[P.I.HUNT_9#Epilogue|RT3 Hunt Epilogue]] by Jack Lance |
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* [http://thatguywiththepuzzles.com/escaperoomdesign.htm Brett Kuehner's list of escape room design links] includes lots of general puzzle wisdom |
* [http://thatguywiththepuzzles.com/escaperoomdesign.htm Brett Kuehner's list of escape room design links] includes lots of general puzzle wisdom |
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* '''[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e3DKb4Tu1tga6_g0WXw4fc4mHtRa2r0HCwc2cIkxiEc/edit How to Hint]''', a hinting guide by Scott Handelman |
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* 30 Puzzle Design Lessons by Elyot Grant - [https://youtu.be/oCHciE9CYfA Part 1] [https://youtu.be/iUi2vMZajco Part 2] [https://youtu.be/zsbfkMuaUxs Part 3] |
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=Software and Websites= |
=Software and Websites= |
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For smaller hunts, a spreadsheet may be sufficient for tracking progress. |
For smaller hunts, a spreadsheet may be sufficient for tracking progress. |
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* [https://github.com/mysteryhunt/puzzle-editing Puzzletron], hunt organization software used by [[MIT Mystery Hunt]] writing teams from 2011 to 2020. |
* [https://github.com/mysteryhunt/puzzle-editing Puzzletron], hunt organization software used by [[MIT Mystery Hunt]] writing teams from 2011 to 2020. |
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* [https://github.com/galacticpuzzlehunt/puzzlord Puzzlord], an updated version of Puzzletron, written by [[Galactic Trendsetters]] for [[MIT Mystery Hunt 2021]] and [[Galactic Puzzle Hunt|Galactic Puzzle Hunts]]. |
* [https://github.com/galacticpuzzlehunt/puzzlord Puzzlord], an updated version of Puzzletron, written by [[✈✈✈ Galactic Trendsetters ✈✈✈]] for [[MIT Mystery Hunt 2021]] and [[Galactic Puzzle Hunt|Galactic Puzzle Hunts]]. |
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* [https://github.com/Palindrome-Puzzles/puzzup Puzzup], a fork of Puzzlord, used by [[Palindrome]] for [[MIT Mystery Hunt 2022]] |
* [https://github.com/Palindrome-Puzzles/puzzup Puzzup], a fork of Puzzlord, used by [[Palindrome]] for [[MIT Mystery Hunt 2022]]. It [https://github.com/teammatehunt/puzzup was forked] by [[teammate]] for [[MIT Mystery Hunt 2023]]. |
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===Hunt Website Servers=== |
===Hunt Website Servers=== |
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* [https://github.com/zyzsdy/ccxc-backend CCXC Engine] |
* [https://github.com/zyzsdy/ccxc-backend CCXC Engine] |
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* [https://node.vero.site/ephesus/ Ephesus by betaveros] ([[Ephesus|Wiki link]]), a simple way to host your hunt online (without learning a full framework) |
* [https://node.vero.site/ephesus/ Ephesus by betaveros] ([[Ephesus|Wiki link]]), a simple way to host your hunt online (without learning a full framework) |
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** [https://www.puzzlehuntmy.us/ Myus] ([[Myus|Wiki link]]), a public fork of Ephesus to do the same thing. |
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* [https://github.com/galacticpuzzlehunt/gph-site gph-site], used by [[Galactic Puzzle Hunt]] |
* [https://github.com/galacticpuzzlehunt/gph-site gph-site], used by [[Galactic Puzzle Hunt]] |
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* [https://gitlab.com/hunter2.app/hunter2 hunter2] |
* [https://gitlab.com/hunter2.app/hunter2 hunter2] |
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* [https://github.com/itsmingjie/infinity Infinity ∞], used by [[InteGIRLS]] |
* [https://github.com/itsmingjie/infinity Infinity ∞], used by [[InteGIRLS]] |
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* [https://github.com/dlareau/puzzlehunt_server puzzlehunt_server], used by [[Puzzlehunt CMU]] |
* [https://github.com/dlareau/puzzlehunt_server puzzlehunt_server], used by [[Puzzlehunt CMU]] |
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* [https://github.com/teammatehunt/tph-site tph-site], used by [[Teammate Hunt]] |
* [https://github.com/teammatehunt/tph-site tph-site], used by [[Teammate Hunt]] |
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* [https://github.com/RasmusAntons/wizard wizard], a tool created by [[weeklies.enigmatics.org]] for creating Discord-based unlock structures |
* [https://github.com/RasmusAntons/wizard wizard], a tool created by [[weeklies.enigmatics.org]] for creating Discord-based unlock structures |
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==== Spoilr ==== |
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* [https://github.com/mysteryhunt/spoilr Spoilr], written for [[MIT Mystery Hunt 2014]] by [[Alice Shrugged]] and passed down the years. |
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:* [https://github.com/Palindrome-Puzzles/2022-hunt/tree/main/spoilr Version of spoilr] used for [[MIT Mystery Hunt 2022]] by [[Palindrome]] |
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:* [https://github.com/teammatehunt/spoilr-teammate Fork of spoilr] used by [[teammate]] for [[MIT Mystery Hunt 2023]] |
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=== Grid Logic Editors/Players === |
=== Grid Logic Editors/Players === |
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* [https://viresh-ratnakar.github.io/exet.html Exet] (free, browser-based) |
* [https://viresh-ratnakar.github.io/exet.html Exet] (free, browser-based) |
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* [https://www.keiranking.com/apps/phil/ Phil] (free, browser-based) |
* [https://www.keiranking.com/apps/phil/ Phil] (free, browser-based) |
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* [https://www.quinapalus.com/qxw.html Qxw] (free, |
* [https://www.quinapalus.com/qxw.html Qxw] (free, Linux/Windows) |
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=== Word lists === |
=== Word lists === |
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{{See also|Comparison of word lists}} |
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These word list resources may be helpful for constructing word puzzles (such as crosswords), as well as defining what words are legal for interactive puzzles and games. |
These word list resources may be helpful for constructing word puzzles (such as crosswords), as well as defining what words are legal for interactive puzzles and games. |
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* [http://wiki.puzzlers.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=solving:wordlists:about:start&s=wordlist National Puzzlers' League Wordlists] lists many, mostly unscored word lists |
* [http://wiki.puzzlers.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=solving:wordlists:about:start&s=wordlist National Puzzlers' League Wordlists] lists many, mostly unscored word lists |
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* [https://www.reddit.com/r/crossword/comments/nqsuku/all_the_downloadable_word_lists_ive_been_able_to/ An r/crossword post by Rex Parker] lists many crossword-oriented downloadable scored word lists |
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/crossword/comments/nqsuku/all_the_downloadable_word_lists_ive_been_able_to/ An r/crossword post by Rex Parker] lists many crossword-oriented downloadable scored word lists |
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* [https://wordnet.princeton.edu/ WordNet] is a venerable word list with semantic connections between words |
* [https://wordnet.princeton.edu/ WordNet] is a venerable word list with semantic connections between words |
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* [https://www.spreadthewordlist.com/ Spread the Word(list)] - Freely available wordlist updated quarterly |
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* [http://wordlist.aspell.net/ SCOWL and friends] - Various wordlists usable for word games |
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* [http://archive.aspell.net/] - Contains some additional wordlists |
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===Other Puzzle Construction Tools=== |
===Other Puzzle Construction Tools=== |
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Latest revision as of 16:40, 12 April 2024
| Resources |
|---|
This is a list of resources specific to writing hunt puzzles and running hunts. Community Resources gives a list of community resources, while Puzzle Solving Resources gives resources tailored for solving puzzles; many of these resources are helpful when constructing puzzles as well. (for instance, if you want to find words that fit a certain pattern when filling out a grid)
Wisdom and Guidance[edit | edit source]
Puzzle Event Hosting Wisdom[edit | edit source]
- Suggestions for Running a Puzzlehunt by Rahul Sridhar
- BAPHL wiki
- How to Host a BANG
- A Puzzlehunt Tech Checklist
- Game Control Summit (videos from a now-defunct mini-con)
- mystery hunt timeline by Lumia Neyo, a timeline of things involved in running Mystery Hunt generally.
Puzzle Writing Wisdom[edit | edit source]
- How to write a fun puzzle, by Jay Lorch
- Introduction to Writing Good Puzzle Hunt Puzzles
- Puzzlecraft, a paid resource but contains tips on creating many specific genres of puzzles.
- How to Write a BANG Puzzle
- Foggy Brume's Blogs on Puzzle Construction - Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
- RT3 Hunt Epilogue by Jack Lance
- Brett Kuehner's list of escape room design links includes lots of general puzzle wisdom
- How to Hint, a hinting guide by Scott Handelman
- 30 Puzzle Design Lessons by Elyot Grant - Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Software and Websites[edit | edit source]
Standalone Answer Checker[edit | edit source]
Hunt Writing Workflow Managers[edit | edit source]
For smaller hunts, a spreadsheet may be sufficient for tracking progress.
- Puzzletron, hunt organization software used by MIT Mystery Hunt writing teams from 2011 to 2020.
- Puzzlord, an updated version of Puzzletron, written by ✈✈✈ Galactic Trendsetters ✈✈✈ for MIT Mystery Hunt 2021 and Galactic Puzzle Hunts.
- Puzzup, a fork of Puzzlord, used by Palindrome for MIT Mystery Hunt 2022. It was forked by teammate for MIT Mystery Hunt 2023.
Hunt Website Servers[edit | edit source]
- CCXC Engine
- Ephesus by betaveros (Wiki link), a simple way to host your hunt online (without learning a full framework)
- gph-site, used by Galactic Puzzle Hunt
- hunter2
- Infinity ∞, used by InteGIRLS
- puzzlehunt_server, used by Puzzlehunt CMU
- tph-site, used by Teammate Hunt
- wizard, a tool created by weeklies.enigmatics.org for creating Discord-based unlock structures
Spoilr[edit | edit source]
- Spoilr, written for MIT Mystery Hunt 2014 by Alice Shrugged and passed down the years.
- silenda Fork of spoilr, written for MIT Mystery Hunt 2021 by ✈✈✈ Galactic Trendsetters ✈✈✈.
- Version of spoilr used for MIT Mystery Hunt 2022 by Palindrome
- Fork of spoilr used by teammate for MIT Mystery Hunt 2023
Grid Logic Editors/Players[edit | edit source]
Crossword Construction Tools[edit | edit source]
- Crossword Compiler (paid, Windows only)
- CrossFire (paid, runs on Windows, Mac OS, or Linux)
- Amuse Labs Creator (free, browser-based)
- Crosserville (free, browser-based)
- Crosshare (free, browser-based)
- CrossHatch (free, browser-based)
- Exet (free, browser-based)
- Phil (free, browser-based)
- Qxw (free, Linux/Windows)
Word lists[edit | edit source]
These word list resources may be helpful for constructing word puzzles (such as crosswords), as well as defining what words are legal for interactive puzzles and games.
- National Puzzlers' League Wordlists lists many, mostly unscored word lists
- An r/crossword post by Rex Parker lists many crossword-oriented downloadable scored word lists
- WordNet is a venerable word list with semantic connections between words
- Spread the Word(list) - Freely available wordlist updated quarterly
- SCOWL and friends - Various wordlists usable for word games
- [1] - Contains some additional wordlists
Other Puzzle Construction Tools[edit | edit source]
- Puzzle JS, for setting interactive JS based puzzles in HTML.
- Extraction Finder, for checking whether a target answer can be extracted by indexing into a given list of strings
