Mar 14, 2021

Enigmida / Happy π Day!

By Matthew Stein • Issue #8 • View online

Happy π Day! This holiday, founded in 1988 at the San Francisco Exploratorium, is filled with whimsical mathematical learning and, of course, eating pie. Every year, I especially look forward to a new Vihart video.

Now just 2 weeks before Passover, I’m delighted that we’ve already been able to share Escape the Plagues with over 500 teams! Visit escapetheplagues.com to learn more, and share with your friends and communities.

Make sure to read to the end for this week’s puzzle! 🥧

Mechanical Puzzles + A Blog Recommendation

Two important things to know about me: I’m an avid mechanical puzzle collector, and I love mixology. Consequently, I absolutely love reading Boxes and Booze, a fantastic blog which combines these two elements.

Jesse Born’s “Pi Box” is one of my favorite puzzle boxes in my collection. I won’t give away any of its secrets, but even just its outside geometries are alluring—a distinctive nonagonal box with a face of 9 yosegi-covered wedges. Go celebrate Pi Day by reading about this and many other wondrous creations over on Boxes and Booze.

boxesandbooze.squarespace.com • Share

Recent Reviews of Escape the Plagues

Here’s what people have been saying about Escape the Plagues:

“I was impressed with Escape the Plagues. It made puzzle hunt-style play approachable for newer audiences, but no less fun for those more versed in the genre.” —Room Escape Artist

“Escape the Plagues is a fun family game that helps connect an ancient story of oppression to the current need for activism. As someone who grew up Catholic, I very much enjoyed playing with my Jewish partner and getting to learn more about his culture.” —Risa Puno, creator of The Privilege of Escape

“Looking to creatively turbocharge this year’s Seder? This is intergenerational Torah learning and a contemporary exploration of Jewish values at its best. I can think of no better way to innovate your Seder experience than through the lens of Tikkum Olam that is at the foundation of these playful puzzles.” —Rabbi David Leipziger Teva

roomescapeartist.com • Share

LETTERS TO MARGARET: A Crossword Graphic Novel by Lone Shark Games — Kickstarter

The creators of Maze of Games are back with a new Kickstarter, and I’m personally super excited to see how they’re approaching inclusive, narrative-driven puzzle design through a graphic novel medium.

Lone Shark Games is raising funds for LETTERS TO MARGARET: A Crossword Graphic Novel on Kickstarter! From artist Hayley Gold and The Maze of Games team comes a double-sided, solvable 128-page comic book loaded with crossword puzzles.

www.kickstarter.com • Share

Puzzle of the Week

Happy 3/14! These images all have something in common. Find something else that follows the pattern, and submit your answer here.

(Bonus points if you post your photo on social media and tag @enigmida!)

Solution to last issue’s puzzle:

Rnpu jbeq eulzrf jvgu bar bs gur 10 cynthrf: Centhr'f -> sebtf, Oenvyyr -> unvy, Qblyr'f -> obvyf, guhq -> oybbq, tarvff -> yvpr. Obahf: va gur rknzcyrf tvira, rnpu jbeq nyfb vf fcryyrq zhpu qvssreragyl guna vgf eulzr. (in ROT13)

Congrats to everyone who submitted a correct answer: Scott Weiss, Yossi, Elliot T, Sean McBride, Tommy H, Maya, Drew, and Tamar.

Cryptically yours,

Matthew

Did you enjoy this issue?

By Matthew Stein

I'm an Oakland, CA-based puzzle and alternate reality game designer. I create experiences that guide participants to connect through play and to find wonder in the mundane.

In this newsletter, I share behind-the-scenes content, puzzle design thoughts, project updates, and other miscellaneous whimsy I think puzzle lovers will enjoy.

Tweet

Share

In order to unsubscribe, click here.

If you were forwarded this newsletter and you like it, you can subscribe here.