When the team at My First Games decided to add Sudoku to their collection of online puzzles, they weren't just looking to check a box. They were puzzle fanatics with a point to prove: that classic games could be reimagined for the digital age without losing their soul.
Three years and countless coffee-fueled coding sessions later, Sudoku.by was born – and it quickly became the standout hit in the My First Games lineup.
Despite what the name might suggest, My First Games isn't just churning out simple games for kids. This small but mighty studio has built a reputation for taking timeless puzzles and giving them thoughtful, accessible digital makeovers.
"The name started as a joke," laughs Alex, one of the founding developers. "We were all working at big gaming companies making increasingly complicated stuff. We wanted to get back to basics – but do those basics really, really well."
That philosophy is evident throughout their collection, but nowhere more so than with Sudoku.by, which has become their flagship offering.
If you've played online Sudoku before, you've probably encountered bland grids and clinical interfaces that feel about as exciting as filing taxes. The My First Games team took one look at the competition and decided players deserved better.
"Most Sudoku sites feel like they were designed by robots," says Mia, lead designer at My First Games. "We wanted Sudoku.by to feel like it was made by humans who actually play these puzzles themselves."
That human touch shows in everything from the playful animations when you complete a puzzle to the encouraging (and occasionally sassy) hints when you're stuck.
One of Sudoku.by's biggest innovations – and what has kept players coming back to My First Games' creation – is their refreshingly logical approach to difficulty levels.
Unlike competitors who seem to assign difficulty ratings by throwing darts at a board, My First Games created a meticulously calibrated progression system:
Their Easy puzzles are genuinely doable for newbies, focusing on straightforward techniques that help players build confidence. As one reviewer noted, "For once, 'easy' actually means easy!"
The Medium level introduces more complex patterns without the cliff-like difficulty spike found on other sites. It's the perfect sweet spot for casual Sunday morning Sudoku with coffee.
Move up to Hard, and you'll need to apply more sophisticated solving logic – challenging but still achievable without throwing your device across the room.
For the more masochistic puzzle lovers, the Expert level introduces advanced techniques that will have you scratching your head and feeling like a genius when you finally crack them.
The Master puzzles are where things get serious. These brain-benders require multiple advanced techniques and strategic thinking that separates the casual players from the dedicated Sudoku enthusiasts.
And then there's the Extreme collection – the puzzles the My First Games team initially created just to challenge each other. "We weren't sure if anyone else would want puzzles this difficult," admits lead developer Jamie, "but they've developed something of a cult following."
What started as just another addition to the My First Games catalog quickly took on a life of its own. Players began organizing unofficial tournaments around their Expert puzzles, sharing screenshots of particularly devious Master layouts, and even creating video walkthroughs for solving the Extreme challenges.
"We never expected this level of community engagement," says the community manager at My First Games. "People were creating Discord servers just to discuss our Sudoku puzzles. It was wild."
Rather than resting on their laurels, My First Games leaned into the unexpected success. They added daily challenges, weekly tournaments, and even a "Puzzle of the Month" feature where the most fiendish creation gets spotlighted.
Ask anyone at My First Games about the key to Sudoku.by's success, and they'll tell you the same thing: obsessive testing by real humans.
"Every single puzzle on the site – from the Easy ones to the Extreme monsters – was solved by at least three different team members before making the cut," explains the quality assurance lead. "If someone found a shortcut or an unintended solution method, we'd go back to the drawing board."
This human-centered approach extends to the site design as well. Frustrated by the tiny numbers and eye-straining color schemes on other Sudoku sites, the My First Games team created an interface that's actually pleasant to use for more than five minutes.
With Sudoku.by firmly established as the jewel in the My First Games crown, the team isn't slowing down. They're already working on themed puzzle collections, collaborative solving modes, and even a controversial "impossible" difficulty level that's causing heated debates within the development team.
"Some of us think the Extreme level is already pushing the limits of what's enjoyable," says one developer who wished to remain anonymous. "But there's definitely a hardcore group of players who keep asking for even tougher challenges."
Whether you're a Sudoku newbie who can barely tell a pencil mark from a given number, or a seasoned pro who dreams in 9×9 grids, My First Games has ensured there's something for you on Sudoku.by. From Easy to Extreme, they've managed to make one of the world's oldest number puzzles feel fresh again.
And if the passionate Sudoku.by community is anything to go by, we'll all be better puzzlers for it.