I think I'm slowly getting the hang of these. But they require a solving technique different from the other puzzles.
Instead of CP-based techniques (domain reduction through constraint propagation, and "shaving" for the hardest puzzles), I'm using Local Search: make an initial guess based on "feel" and then repair it through local changes.
Works surprisingly well in many cases, though there's a danger of missing some non-linked shaded areas.
Posted 3rd Aug 2020 at 13:17
gareth Administrator Daily subscriber Rated puzzle: Hard Completion time: 2:35
You're right. That's partly a factor of how I've designed these particular nurikabe, however. Many nurikabe, particularly larger ones, can be solved in a more step-by-step process. However to keep the 10x10 ones interesting I've heavily used a 'make it fit' type of design for the ones here.
Posted 3rd Aug 2020 at 19:31
JoergWausW Daily subscriber Best completion time: 1:34 Time on first attempt: 2:08
That explains a lot ;-) Lots of 10x10s - how many of other sizes are on hold?
Posted 3rd Aug 2020 at 20:31
gareth Administrator Daily subscriber Rated puzzle: Hard Completion time: 2:35
They're virtually all 10x10.
Posted 4th Aug 2020 at 17:24
JoergWausW Daily subscriber Best completion time: 1:34 Time on first attempt: 2:08
Oh, ok. At the beginning of their reappearance we had some larger ones. So I wondered if there was more of those. Thank you for bringing them back!
Posted 5th Aug 2020 at 17:06 Last edited by gareth 5th Aug 2020 at 17:08
gareth Administrator Daily subscriber Rated puzzle: Hard Completion time: 2:35
Yes, it's a fair question. That was just by chance. I've taken a look and I have two 12x12 and one 15x15 queued up, and that's it in terms of puzzles > 10x10.
If anyone out there fancies writing some nurikabe then I would consider buying them - particularly larger ones. However I should say this is not going to get you rich... Get in touch if interested - gareth@puzzlemix.com
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Instead of CP-based techniques (domain reduction through constraint propagation, and "shaving" for the hardest puzzles), I'm using Local Search: make an initial guess based on "feel" and then repair it through local changes.
Works surprisingly well in many cases, though there's a danger of missing some non-linked shaded areas.
Lots of 10x10s - how many of other sizes are on hold?
Last edited by gareth 5th Aug 2020 at 17:08
If anyone out there fancies writing some nurikabe then I would consider buying them - particularly larger ones. However I should say this is not going to get you rich... Get in touch if interested - gareth@puzzlemix.com
You can however view other players' statistics and comments in the tables above.