Bold statement: a beloved daily puzzle is crossing from screens to print, expanding its reach and inviting new minds to think visually. And here’s where it gets interesting: Mindset Go isn’t just a mobile game with a clever gimmick – it’s a genuine balancing act between digital interactivity and tactile, pen-and-paper problem solving.
Mindset puzzles, created by Magicave, a UK independent studio led by CEO Harry Holmwood, CTO Ed Thorley, and creative director Ste Curran, are heading to The Observer newspaper. The Observer will publish versions of Mindset Go’s puzzles every Sunday, marking a first in its print puzzle lineup. Curran, who designed the puzzles, describes Mindset as a flexible, smart casual experience that translates well across formats and branding opportunities.
The transition from mobile to paper began when Curran, inspired during a Lego session with his toddler, envisioned a Venn diagram-based puzzle that could live on the page. He leveraged industry connections to facilitate the move. Simon Parkin, an Observer contributor, introduced Curran to The Observer, and the publication’s puzzle editor Caitlin O’Kane embraced the concept instantly. From there, collaboration on layout and paper-specific Shape Sets followed, guided by The Observer’s longstanding puzzle heritage.
Mindset Go originated as a compact team effort, with four people developing the game in its first year and a half. As soft launch approached, the team expanded to nine. Players describe Mindset as a “smart casual” game whose mechanics are adaptable enough to accommodate different themes, branding, and collaborations without changing the core logic. Curran emphasizes that inventing a truly new puzzle format is a rare milestone in a creator’s career.
The developers acknowledge that Mindset’s daily difficulty is demanding for a puzzle this frequent, but they invested heavily in onboarding to help casual players grasp the logic. The tutorialized saga map and early puzzle design were repeatedly refined through testing with a small circle of friends and family—ranging from seasoned puzzlers to those who rarely play puzzle games.
On the other end of the spectrum, a dedicated Discord community has formed, with members rapidly solving puzzles and pushing the limits. Their appetite for ultra-challenging conundrums informed adjustments that kept Mindset accessible to newcomers while satisfying veterans.
Curran notes that the Sunday print feature will attract a fresh audience and extend the Mindset brand meaningfully. He also highlights the elegance of the mechanics: readers who solve Mindsets with pen and paper naturally illustrate the design’s simplicity and sophistication, demonstrating the format’s universality.
