Top Tips for Creating a Game

Last updated:

These tips help you design great, reliable squares that players love—while staying safe and accurate.

1) Pick Great Locations

Safe and open. Choose well-lit public spaces with consistent access (avoid tides, locked areas, ticketed venues).
Visually distinct. Landmarks, statues, plaques, bridges, unique benches, or patterns in paving make for memorable squares.
Respectful. Avoid sensitive sites (private homes, schools in hours, emergency services entrances).
Walk Order. Do not worry about the order you put your clues in, we will optimise the route for you during the review.

2) Nail the Exact Spot

Use the centre point. Bench = middle; platform/shape = geometric centre; statue = in front unless the clue directs otherwise.
Capture the W3W correctly: stand still for a few seconds, let GPS settle, then confirm the three words before saving.
Never guess from satellite view. Map providers differ—only an on-site reading is valid.

3) Write Clear, Fun Clues

Lead, don’t mislead. Clever is great; dangerous or ambiguous is not.
Anchor with at least one concrete detail (e.g., “curled ironwork”, “blue tile band”, “north gate”) so solvers can confirm they’re close.
Optional redundancy: a second subtle hint prevents hard locks without spoiling the fun.

4) Test & Verify

Daylight test: walk the route and solve your own clues from a fresh device/account.
Signal check: make sure GPS works in the spot; avoid deep canyons/tunnels.
Friend check: ask someone unfamiliar to try 2–3 squares and note any confusion.

5) Keep it Smooth

Consistent difficulty. Start easier; ramp gently. Don’t make Square 1 the hardest.
Route logic. Reduce needless backtracking; mind crossing busy roads.
Photos. If you include images, ensure you own them and they don’t reveal private individuals.

6) Submission Checklist

All squares meet the Game Rules (safe, accessible, public).
Each W3W verified on site; centre-point used where applicable.
Clues tested; at least one clear anchor detail; optional backup hint for tricky ones.
Opening hours/tide issues checked (if relevant).

Creator Top Tip – The Easy Way to Build Your Game

Here’s a simple method many creators use to build a full game quickly and accurately.

Step 1 – Plan your locations from home.
Go to What3Words on a PC (this is much easier than using a phone). Explore the map around the area where you want your game to take place. When you find a good location, switch to terrain view and place the square roughly where you think the location should be. Take a screenshot of the What3Words map.

Step 2 – Create the square in the 30 Squares game builder.
Go to Square 1 and upload the screenshot as both the Picture Clue and the 30ft Clue. Enter the What3Words location you selected.

Step 3 – Write your clues.
In Clue 2, write a simple description explaining exactly where the location is. Then copy that text into Clue 1 and use the AI tool to generate a more creative clue for players.

You’ve now completed Square 1. Repeat this process until you have all 30 squares created.

Step 4 – Print your game and visit the locations.
Once the game is drafted, print it out and go out to each location. Take proper photos of the exact square — one that works well as a picture clue and another from roughly 30 feet away.

Step 5 – Capture accurate What3Words.
Stand directly on the square and hold your phone still for at least 30 seconds so the GPS can settle. Then record the precise What3Words location.

Step 6 – Finalise your game.
Return home and update the squares with your real photos and accurate locations. You can now refine your second clues and let the AI generate improved first clues.

This is one of the easiest and most reliable ways to build a complete game. Of course, if you prefer exploring and creating squares as you walk around with your phone, that works perfectly well too.

Good luck creating your game!