Sorted
Sorted is a brand-new puzzle I developed for The Telegraph, designed to engage players with a unique word-arranging challenge. The goal was to create a fresh, addictive puzzle experience that fit seamlessly within The Telegraph's existing suite of games while offering something distinct.
- Telegraph Puzzles
Research
To ensure Sorted was an engaging and intuitive puzzle, I conducted in-depth research on successful word and logic games such as Wordle, Spelling Bee, and classic crossword puzzles. This was complemented by user feedback and surveys to understand what players enjoyed about existing puzzles and what elements could make Sorted stand out.
Player personas
The primary audience for Sorted includes daily puzzle solvers, casual players seeking a quick mental challenge, and competitive word game enthusiasts. Insights gathered from early test groups indicated that players enjoyed structured challenges with a sense of progression and appreciated a balance between difficulty and satisfaction. Key feedback included: “I like puzzles that make me feel accomplished but not frustrated,” and “I want a game that's easy to pick up but keeps me coming back.”
Game flow & mechanics
The structure of Sorted was designed around providing a smooth learning curve while maintaining long-term replayability. The game mechanics involve sorting words into the correct order based on a hidden logic. Through multiple iterations, the user interface was refined to enhance clarity, and features like hint systems and progression tracking were integrated based on early player feedback.
Wireframes
Collaborating closely with The Telegraph's design and product teams, I developed multiple rough concepts to test different gameplay styles and user interfaces. Prototypes were created to trial mechanics such as drag-and-drop functionality and interactive feedback cues. These early-stage wireframes were tested internally and with select player groups to refine the experience.
Visual design
With a focus on The Telegraph's brand identity, Sorted was designed with a sleek, modern aesthetic while maintaining the familiar feel of traditional word puzzles. The game interface emphasises clean typography, intuitive touch controls, and a visually engaging color scheme to enhance readability and engagement.
Outcome
Since its launch, Sorted has exceeded initial expectations, demonstrating strong player engagement and retention rates. Metrics indicate a significant increase in return players, with session lengths growing week over week. The intuitive design and engaging mechanics have contributed to a high replay rate, with players consistently returning for new daily challenges. Feedback from early adopters suggests that the game's unique approach to word sorting keeps them engaged longer than traditional puzzles, reinforcing its long-term viability within The Telegraph's puzzle ecosystem.