wordXross

by Kelly Clark, acquisitions editor

wordXross (pronounced “Word Cross”) is a computer game. The inventor, Jerald L. Donaldson, officially describes it as “a crossword puzzle-type word learning game having all the individual word answers movingly displayed during play.”

I call it a lot o’ fun!

It combines the challenge of solving a crossword puzzle with the hand-eye coordination necessary to put together a jigsaw. It calls upon that part o’ the brain that helps contestants excel at games like the old “Concentration (TM),” “Wheel of Fortune (TM),” with a bit o’ “Jeopardy! (TM)” thrown in. At least, that’s my opinion. While it’s still in beta, I find it addicting…and this, remember, is from someone who used to consistently finish in the cellar at the ACPT.

“What’s the difficulty level?”

To tell the truth, you’re asking the wrong person. My best score—the game play is timed—was 3 minutes. That sounds good, if you discount the fact that the puzzle was aimed at first graders. But I’m getting better at it! I just played an American-style puzzle and finished only 30 minutes over the expected time. ‘Course, it was my own puzzle, but still…

“What makes you like this game so much?”

Glad you asked! First, as I’ve said, it’s fun. That’s my selfish side speaking. My more altruistic side acknowledges something else: I believe this game will be a terrific tool in introducing young solvers, and their parents, to quality crossword puzzles.

“Who’s the market for the game?”

Basically, there are two. One is the educational market, in which I’m not involved. Suffice to say that vocabulary-type puzzles will be offered to these folks.

Then there’s the rest of us. People who like games. After the product takes off, the owners plan to offer it to iPhone and Wii users.

“Okay, Kelly: what do you want from us?”

Your puzzles, o’ course! Your cool, themed, American-style crossword puzzles which adhere to all the usual specs: symmetry, no unches, no 2-letter words, decently low enough word count…you know the drill. (See “Define ‘quality’) below for more specifics.)

“There’s gotta be a catch: what is it?”

Well, I wouldn’t call it a “catch” but here’s the main specs:

We’re looking for batches o’ puzzles—10 minimum—in any given category except stuff like erotica, pretty much. For example, I made 10 using the Category “Animals.” They range from “Storied Critters” (theme entries like BABE THE BLUE OX, THE BIG BAD WOLF, etc.) to “Thanks, Walt” which glorified animals like MINNIE, MICKEY, CHIP and DALE…you get the picture.

By the way, the puzzle batches can be all one size, or a mixture o’ sizes. You don’t have to be hemmed in if you’ve started doing, say, 15x puzzles and a great idea for a 17x in the same Category hits you.

The idea, too, is to utilize as many category-related entries into the fill words as possible, without sacrificing quality, naturally. I did this in fill entries, but also in cluing. For example, given my overall category was “Animals,” and, say a fill word happened to be IDAHO, I might’ve clued it something like [Its capital is Boise (and state bird is the Monarch Butterfly)].

(Think Fred Piscop’s NYT Bonus Puzzles and you’re on the right track.)

Some Category ideas include, but aren’t limited to:

Animals

Art

Business

Entertainment

Health

History

Geography

Literature

Science

Sports

Spirituality

N.B.: The clues and entries in wordXross puzzles ARE NOT NUMBERED. Therefore, no clues, please, that refer to another entry, as in [See XX Across.] This feature o’ the game also pretty much precludes quotes and quips.

All puzzles need a byline, a title, and your professional opinion of difficulty level: easy, medium, or challenging.

“Okay. What about the old do-re-mi?”

13 x 13: $40 each

15 x 15: $50 each

17 x 17: $90 each

“A little low, huh?”

Ya think?

Seriously, though, the benefits to constructors should be considered. Such as:

• You don’t get “paid on publication.” You get paid within a couple weeks after approval.

• You get immediate response. Once I get your puzzles, (or theme entries) I’ll let you know I’ve got them. And I’ll try to review them ASAP. The idea is to eliminate the “black hole” syndrome.

• The game developers need content, and will continue to need content. The basic market plan is to give away the game and sell the puzzle packs. I’m not limited to, say, 365 puzzles per year. On the contrary: I’m frankly under pressure to attract as many puzzles as possible. While this fact in no way means that I will accept crud, it does mean that I am eager to see quality work by the boatload.

“Define `quality’”

Maximum word counts: 60 for a 13x13, 78 for a 15x15, 98 for a 17x17.

Theme entries, fill, and clues: make me happy that I took the time to solve your work.

Conventional thematic entries are, as a rule, the longest in your puzzle (although exceptions can be made if the theme warrants it and is readily “gettable” to the player). Remember, though, that thematic material can and should be utilized via fill words and cluing to relate to your theme (and/or your Category).

I have a dictionary on my computer with a feature like the old Franklin Crossword Puzzle Solver. Please don’t make me use it. The only time I want to use a dictionary is to look up a clue word I don’t know in a “Challenging” puzzle. Example: [It moves via pseudopods] = AMOEBA.

Puns and wordplay are welcome, but only if you’re good at it. Avoid combining perfect homophones (e.g.: NIGHT for “knight”) with sound changes (e.g.: CATCH for “cat”) in the same puzzle.

Watch your black square count. Try to keep them under 20%. This just isn’t for aesthetic purposes: they tend to give the game programmer headaches.

Partials: given a choice between, say, a 6-letter partial or an obscure goddess, use the partial. That said, use the sparingly.

Roman Numerals: XII clued as [Noon on a sundial] is fine. But as a rule, please avoid them, especially those longer than, say, 4 letters. They really stick out like a sore thumb in the game design.

Clue conventions…you needn’t—in fact, shouldn’t—indicate multiple-word entries. Tags, such as abbreviation indicators (unless you build them into the clues, as in [Rights org., briefly] for ACLU) should be like this: [Rights organization: Abbr.] Same for variant and foreign language entry indicators…except I really don’t want to see variants all that much and obscure foreign language entries, not at all.

“What about rights?”

The usual. You relinquish everything except your firstborn child, pretty much. You’ll have to sign a fairly standard agreement.

“How do you want ‘em?”

If you’re using Crossword Compiler, please do me the favor of exporting the puzzles in Across Lite format and sending me those. Just humor me on this—I want to solve the puzzles before editing them. Thanks.

Send your puzzle packs to wordXross@aldenclark.com.

(If you don’t use a computer to construct, follow the submission guidelines for the New York Times. Send your puzzles via postal mail to Kelly Clark, 27 Whiting Street, Boston, MA 02119.)

Remember: in this game, every word really counts. Even though I know you detest and avoid obscurities as a rule o’ thumb, in this case it’s really important to do so.

Thanks for reading this. Zap any questions by me at the above address (including “has this theme been done already” questions, theme entries/Category review, or whatever other questions you maybe have.).

Look forward to hearing from you!

Kelly <-- (graciously declining to be called “Madame Editor” ;-)

 

(this article is also available as a Word document here )