Designer Diary: TEDOKU

by Sandro Blasich

The journey of creating TEDOKU is quite fascinating. The concept emerged after Sandro Blasich completed a game for the SPIEL Essen pitch. Upon reviewing the SPIEL Essen preview list, he encountered a game that bore an uncanny resemblance to his own, featuring Tetris elements. Disheartened, he initially decided against pitching his game. However, his love for both Sudoku and Tetris sparked an innovative idea: to combine these two elements into a single game. This revelation occurred during a rare moment of solitude, humorously noted as when he locked himself in the bathroom.

What began as a personal project transformed into a prototype that felt almost like a finished product from the outset. The design process flowed effortlessly, making it easy to create. During a game night at his home, a curious friend spotted an unnamed box on the shelf and inquired about it. Intrigued, they played a few rounds, and the friend’s enthusiastic feedback convinced Sandro to consider pitching the game at SPIEL Essen.

After securing meetings at Essen, Sandro was thrilled to sign his first contract. The excitement of potentially releasing a published game was overwhelming, though it would take several years before TEDOKU finally hit the market. Interestingly, another game of his, Choconnect, was published first.

Key Features of TEDOKU

  • Game Type: Roll, flip, and write game
  • Gameplay Mechanics:
    • Fit polyomino shapes into a Sudoku-style grid
    • Draw based on the result of a die roll
    • Card flips dictate drawing limitations
    • Shapes can be rotated or mirrored when drawing
    • Skip turns if there isn’t enough space to draw
  • Game Length: 20 rounds (20 cards drawn)
  • Scoring: Points awarded for completed sectors, columns, and rows
  • Replayability: 27 cards in the deck, with 7 randomly removed for each game
  • Player Count: 6 pencils included, allowing for any number of players
  • Solo Play: Designed for individual gameplay
  • Portability: Compact size ideal for travel
  • Depth: Offers meaningful choices for players

Ultimately, TEDOKU stands out as a small yet substantial game, combining engaging mechanics with a cozy feel. The development process by Ares Games, led by Roberto Di Meglio, has been commendable. Additionally, the stunning illustrations and graphic design by Matteo Ceresa, inspired by Japanese art, add a unique aesthetic appeal to the game.

For fans of puzzle and strategy games, TEDOKU promises to deliver an enriching experience, whether played solo or with friends. Its innovative blend of familiar elements ensures that it will appeal to a wide audience, making it a worthy addition to any board game collection.

Via BoardGameGeek Blog