Research notes, design decisions, and things we learned while building a 3D rotation puzzle game.
March 12, 2025 · 8 min read
Can practicing mental rotation tasks actually make you smarter? We looked at 87 studies on spatial cognitive training to separate the real effects from the hype. Near transfer is solid; far transfer is still an open question.
February 20, 2025 · 6 min read
Roman numerals are visually distinctive and universally recognized. We explain why straight-line symbol fragments work better than curved numerals for a rotation-based alignment mechanic, and how Gestalt grouping principles influenced the design.
January 8, 2025 · 7 min read
A flat puzzle is a bounded problem. Add depth and the solution space explodes. We compare how 2D and 3D puzzle mechanics differ in terms of cognitive load, spatial reasoning demands, and what makes each format satisfying.