10x10

🧩 10x10: The Spatial Packing Algorithm

10x10 strips the falling-block mechanic of Tetris and replaces it with a static, strategic packing problem. On Watch Documentaries Games, we categorize this as a "Resource Management Puzzle" where the resource is grid space. The objective is to fit various polyominoes (geometric shapes) into a 10x10 grid to complete rows or columns, clearing them for more space.

Unlike time-based puzzles, 10x10 is turn-based. This shifts the cognitive load from reaction time to forward planning and pattern recognition. Players must visualize not just the current move, but how the remaining shapes in their "hand" will fit into the negative space left behind.

🧠 Strategic Analysis: The Greedy Algorithm Trap

Novice players often fail by following a "Greedy Algorithm"—always placing the biggest block immediately. This is a strategic error. The optimal strategy requires:

• Space Preservation: Always prioritize keeping a 3x3 or 5x1 area open. The game's random number generator (RNG) will eventually deal a massive 3x3 square or a long 5-unit line. If you lack the contiguous space to place it, the game ends immediately.
• The Clearing Heuristic: Do not just build lines; build intersections. Clearing a row and a column simultaneously (a "cross clear") opens up the center of the board, which is the most valuable real estate for large blocks.

🎮 Mechanics & Flow

The interface is deceptively simple:

• The Hand: You are dealt three shapes at a time. You must place all three before receiving a new set. This allows for "micro-planning"—you know exactly what resources you have for the next three moves.
• Game Over Condition: The simulation ends when a shape in your hand cannot legally fit anywhere on the grid. There is no time limit, so rushing is the enemy of high scores.

🏆 Optimization Techniques

Corner-First Strategy: Build from the corners inward. Placing blocks in the center early fragments the board, creating unusable "islands" of single cells. By filling edges first, you maintain a large, contiguous "work zone" in the center for complex shapes.

❓ FAQ