Understanding how players solve puzzles

Thomas Lofaro; Ruth Hoffmann; Miriam Sturdee; Christopher Jefferson; Alice Lynch

Understanding how players solve puzzles

Thomas Lofaro, Ruth Hoffmann, Miriam Sturdee, Christopher Jefferson, Alice Lynch

Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract

Abstract

Pen-and-paper puzzles offer a controlled environment to study problem-solving, player behaviour, and engagement. This abstract describes how players interact with unfamiliar puzzles, building upon existing research in the puzzle solving, explanation and hint-systems. We investigated how hints help players in explaining and/or indicating next steps in solving puzzles for a particular puzzle (Binairo). The analysis found that players using hints generally performed better, completed more puzzles, and showed signs of strategic thinking. This suggests that the availability of hints may have implications for playability, engagement and facilitating mental focus.

Original language	English
Pages	1-2
Number of pages	2
Publication status	Published - 10 Aug 2025
Event	Workshop on Explanations with Constraints and Satisfiability - Scotland, Glasgow Duration: 10 Aug 2025 → … https://sites.google.com/view/excos2025

Workshop

Workshop	Workshop on Explanations with Constraints and Satisfiability
Abbreviated title	ExCoS
City	Glasgow
Period	10/08/25 → …
Internet address	https://sites.google.com/view/excos2025

Keywords

Constraint satisfaction problem
Puzzle
Human computer interaction
Explainability
Solving

Access to Document

Lofaro-et-al-ExCoS-2025-How-people_solve_puzzles-5_AAM
Copyright © T Lofaro, R Hoffmann, M Sturdee, C Jefferson, A Lynch; licensed under Creative Commons License CC-BY 4.0.
Accepted author manuscript, 421 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "Understanding how players solve puzzles",

abstract = "Pen-and-paper puzzles offer a controlled environment to study problem-solving, player behaviour, and engagement. This abstract describes how players interact with unfamiliar puzzles, building upon existing research in the puzzle solving, explanation and hint-systems. We investigated how hints help players in explaining and/or indicating next steps in solving puzzles for a particular puzzle (Binairo). The analysis found that players using hints generally performed better, completed more puzzles, and showed signs of strategic thinking. This suggests that the availability of hints may have implications for playability, engagement and facilitating mental focus.",

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T1 - Understanding how players solve puzzles

AU - Lofaro, Thomas

AU - Hoffmann, Ruth

AU - Sturdee, Miriam

AU - Jefferson, Christopher

AU - Lynch, Alice

PY - 2025/8/10

Y1 - 2025/8/10

N2 - Pen-and-paper puzzles offer a controlled environment to study problem-solving, player behaviour, and engagement. This abstract describes how players interact with unfamiliar puzzles, building upon existing research in the puzzle solving, explanation and hint-systems. We investigated how hints help players in explaining and/or indicating next steps in solving puzzles for a particular puzzle (Binairo). The analysis found that players using hints generally performed better, completed more puzzles, and showed signs of strategic thinking. This suggests that the availability of hints may have implications for playability, engagement and facilitating mental focus.

AB - Pen-and-paper puzzles offer a controlled environment to study problem-solving, player behaviour, and engagement. This abstract describes how players interact with unfamiliar puzzles, building upon existing research in the puzzle solving, explanation and hint-systems. We investigated how hints help players in explaining and/or indicating next steps in solving puzzles for a particular puzzle (Binairo). The analysis found that players using hints generally performed better, completed more puzzles, and showed signs of strategic thinking. This suggests that the availability of hints may have implications for playability, engagement and facilitating mental focus.

KW - Constraint satisfaction problem

KW - Puzzle

KW - Human computer interaction

KW - Explainability

KW - Solving

M3 - Abstract

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T2 - Workshop on Explanations with Constraints and Satisfiability

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