Threes co-creator Wohlwend on the value of minimalist game design

- Greg Wohlwend, co-creator of Threes, speaks to Re/code about minimalist game design. Re/code published a brief feature today about the development of iOS puzzle game Threes that offers some thoughtful insight on minimalist game design from co-creator Greg Wohlwend. According to Re/code reporter Eric Johnson, Wohlwend and fellow Threes progenitor Asher Vollmer experimented with the design of the tile-sliding puzzle game for more than six months. They tried adding in obstacles, monsters and flashy symbols in an effort to keep players entertained, before finally realizing that the basis challenge of Threes -- slide numbered tiles together in a confined space to try and earn the highest score possible -- were compelling enough to keep players coming back for more. Check out the full article for the whole story, along with some fantastic screenshots of early Threes builds that showcase how the game evolved during development. It's worth pointing out that Threes merited an honorable mention for the 2014 IGF Excellence in Design award.