My focus has been shifting back and forth, lately. My log shows that SudoCue has been downloaded more than 9000 times, but still there are not many responses. This made me put SudoCue on hold for a while.

I turned my attention to Killer Sudokus. Amazing how little software is available for Killers, while the Net is swarming with Sudoku programs. This time I decided to do it the right way. Be the first, be the best, be the benchmark.

The new program is SumoCue. It specializes in sudoku variants with irregular shapes, such as Killers and Jigsaws. It has a DLX solver that can solve any variant. It has a designer mode with the right tools to help you create jigsaws and killers. When puzzle makers use the program, they will attract players. The program has a custom file format, but also handles PS format for Killers.

The tools are limited, but very useful for both killer and jigsaw puzzles. After a few quick releases, the program has stabilized. It is well received, better than SudoCue. Maybe it was a good idea to use the same colors as Simple Sudoku to give the users a comfortable feeling. It worked for me. The light 3D effects create a smooth User Interface.

Support as usual through the forum. I use the program to create (Jigsaw) Killers. I post a few on my website, but I also have managed to sell a few to a publisher, along with a couple of Clueless Specials.

There is also a new release of SudoCue. I wrote a trimmed DLX solver to be used for random puzzle generation and optimization. My experience in DLX is now paying off. This new code is flamingly fast. I could even include multiple symmetry types for the generator.

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