Vertical Inc. News » sudoku

Numeral Nuance

Vertical — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:00:47 +0000

Most Sudoku collections are little more than a computer-generated way to kill time. Everything from their drag-and-drop covers and their cheap paper stocks to their generic patterns almost reek of something empty and old. So whenever grandmaster puzzler Tetsuya Nishio unleashes a new Sudoku anthology, the difference is realized immediately.

Number Place is Nishio’s latest challenge to the pencil-and-paper puzzling community. After creating a series for the masses with his Sudoku Plus line, Nishio shifted his focus towards Sudoku’s masochists by giving them a new series of mind-numbingly sinister logic puzzles. Released this week, his Number Place: Blue is beyond wicked as it not only collects 100 “hard” to “impossible” Sudoku puzzles, but it also features ten Consecutive Sudoku puzzles, each hand-crafted by the bespectacled fiend himself.

Puzzling Terror in the Homeland

Vertical — Mon, 02 May 2011 19:45:01 +0000

While forces search out terror across the globe, there is a welcome source of anxiety and mental anguish now hitting better bookstores across our nation. Vertical’s puzzle master supreme Tetsuya Nishio has launched a new threat against gamers’ sanity—Number Place: Yellow. Nishio’s latest Sudoku anthology may be his most sinister pocket puzzler yet. As has been his modus operandi, Nishio has once again assembled one-hundred and one handcrafted deadly Sudoku puzzles. But what makes this book unique, and doubly dastardly, are the ten bonus Symmetry puzzles. Symmetry is the master’s latest subtle form of sadism, to be best enjoyed by only the most maniacal logic puzzle enthusiasts.

Cost-effective, portable, and extremely potent, Number Place: Yellow is the hotbed for numeric terror. And it is always accepting new challengers.

The Origins of Sudoku

Vertical — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:15:33 +0000

Decades ago puzzle master Tetsuya Nishio helped pioneer Sudoku in Japan. But back then he used a different name to spread his unique brand of number logic games across Asia. When importing the American game he decided to keep the game’s original name Number Place, a term coined by Dell Magazines in the 1970′s.

Now in the new century Sudoku is bigger than ever, and with Nishio’s star amongst the game’s greats, the master has decided to “re-introduce” Number Place to the West. In his latest, most cunning series yet, the master riddler compiles 101 of his most sadistic Sudoku puzzles. And in an effort to further stimulate and mutilate minds, he provides ten fiendishly fun O’Ekaki puzzles. Presented in a petite trim, with an equally light price point, Number Place: Red beckons the most dedicated American gamers desperately searching for a new home for spicy Sudoku.

Meet the Riddler!

Vertical — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:01:12 +0000

Puzzlers on the East Coast are on red alert as Japan’s Puzzle Premier Tetsuya Nishio returns to the U.S. to participate in the World Sudoku Championships in Philadelphia this weekend. And after the Team Japan captain demolishes the competition, he will take on his fans, and rivals, at two events next week. To promote his most recent American release, O’Ekaki Decadence, Master Nishio will be signing his new book in the two East Coast metropolises big enough to contain a man of his caliber, Philadelphia and New York.

If previous Nishio events are any measure, expect long lines and a little gaming with the legend. That said, Vertical staff would like to forewarn fans that while we hope the events will be civil, we cannot guarantee that Mr. Nishio will not unleash Sudoku Hell on inexperienced puzzlers.

May 3, 2010 (Monday), 4:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Barnes & Noble Rittenhouse Square – Downtown, 1805 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA

May 5, 2010 (Wednesday), 6:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Borders – Penn Plaza, 2 Penn Plaza, Manhattan, NY

Taking Sudoku to New Heights

Vertical — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:31:42 +0000

Are you one of the many Americans today suffering from Sudden Sudoku Anxiety? Too much exposure to computer-generated number placement puzzles can leave gamers itching, almost longing for new more challenging variations of their favorite pen and pencil pastime.

Why settle for soulless grids that offer little motivation or stimulation? With his latest release grand master puzzler Tetsuya Nishio dazzles gamers with a collection of skillfully hand-crafted puzzles designed to delight even the most disillusioned puzzler. Inside the inspired cover of Sudoku Plus, Volume Four await 101 Sudoku puzzles followed by ten brand new Skyscraper games that will leave gamers reaching for the stars.

More than a Numbers Game

Vertical — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:38:39 +0000

Little has changed in the world of Sudoku since it was introduced to the world thirty years ago as “number placement.” Numbers one through nine would fill out nine-by-nine grids consisting of nine smaller three-by-three grids. No math was needed, as logic alone ruled what was always considered a numbers game. Sadly, throughout those three decades Sudoku’s connection to logic rarely allowed artistic creativity to advance the game from its cold, calculated roots.

Enter Sudoku Plus, the latest, and possibly greatest, number placement series by Japan’s puzzlemaster supreme Tetsuya Nishio. Packaged in a stylish pocket-sized format, this new line is not only mentally stimulating—these books make puzzlers look just as smart. Inside Volume One, 101 delightfully devious sudoku puzzles are followed by 10 intellectual but artistic O’Ekaki puzzles. Each one of these handcrafted puzzles are designed with practical puzzlers in mind, making them must-haves for commutes or as gifts.

As a puzzled society, it’s about time we moved beyond simple number placement and into a world that demands more… Let Sudoku Plus lead you there today.

The Devil Strolls Into Town!

Vertical — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:00:16 +0000

Sudoku Hell, the latest and greatest in logic-based torture, is here! Infernal taskmaster Tetsuya Nishio is delivering us into evil with these new puzzles; hours of sinful play to keep us warm from the seemingly never-ending chill this season. His latest installment features all the notorious fun of his other puzzles with some added tricks and twists to keep you pulling your hair out. After you’ve finished torturing yourself with Nishio’s addendum of purgatorial pleasure, be on the lookout for his next surprise, O’Ekaki Heaven, out on the stands April 28th.

Put on your Thinking Caps

Vertical — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:00:23 +0000

The latest in Vertical’s devilishly devious, yet delightful, puzzle books—Extreme Sudoku: New Challenges from the Master and Original O’Ekaki: Intelligent Designs from Its Creator—are on sale now. Oh, sure, you’re thinking, I know Sudoku, and you very well may be familiar with the ubiquitous computer-generated examples plastered throughout the daily newspapers. If you’re lucky, you’ll even work up a yawn when you play them. But Vertical puzzles will have you working up a satisfying sweat, because Vertical puzzles are conceived and designed by the nefarious mind of Japanese puzzle genius Tetsuya Nishio. They are not for the faint of heart. Rather they are for those puzzlers who appreciate a brain-busting challenge. And not only did Nishio create Vertical’s O’Ekaki puzzles, but also he invented the game! O’Ekaki is the entertaining creative logic puzzle that utilizes both the right and left sides of your brain. It’s like Sudoku, but with a pay-off as the answer comes in the form of a cool picture that you’ve uncovered with your pencil… if you completed the puzzle correctly. So escape the brain-numbing ennui of the work day, by exercising your brain with the most challenging and entertaining puzzles available. Only from Vertical, of course!

Vertical Makes Big Splash at Renegade Craft Fair

Vertical — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:00:47 +0000

The Renegade Craft Fair held its 4th Annual event June 16-17 at McCarren Park Pool in Brooklyn. Actually it took place in the pool. Originally opened in 1936, the public facility covers three Olympic-size swimming pools. Today, it no longer serves as a pool, but rather as a unique place at which events are held. Given the humidity and soaring temperatures of the two-day event, there were many at the Fair who wished the pool were filled, including Vertical Marketing Manager Stephen Vrattos, who showcased the Aranzi Aronzo craft/humor line and Higher Sudoku and O’Ekaki puzzle books. No surprise, the books were a hit, and many a happy customer walked away with their hands full of goodies, including To Terra… bookmarks, Aranzi Aronzo mini-posters, O’Ekaki samplers, and exclusive Vertical canvas bags and mechanical pencils.

O’Ekaki and Higher Sudoku Samples Now Available!

Vertical — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 16:00:36 +0000

Bored with predictable, computer-generated Sudoku puzzles? Vertical now offers downloadable samples of its Higher Sudoku and O’Ekaki: Paint by Sudoku puzzles, along with easy-to-understand instructions and tips for you to take your Sudoku puzzle skills to the next level. Vertical’s Sudoku puzzles are cleverly conceived by the Japanese puzzlemaster and O’Ekaki inventor, Tetsuya Nishio, “the Japanese Will Shortz,” and are designed to bedevil and delight even the veteran Sudoku enthusiast. O’Ekaki puzzles result in surprising pictures, but don’t be fooled; they are just as challenging and fun. The first five people to send us a correctly-solved example of our O’Ekaki puzzle will receive a free copy of O’Ekaki: Paint by Sudoku and an exclusive, Vertical mechanical pencil. Send your completed O’Ekaki puzzle (from our puzzle page) to: Vertical’s O’Ekaki Puzzle Challenge, 1185 Avenue of the Americas 32FL, New York, NY 10036. After you’ve tried our puzzles, send us your comments; you may see them posted on our Vertical puzzles page!

Just look for the “Samples, tips, and instructions” button on our Sudoku webpage to download your own pdfs: www.vertical-inc.com/books/puzzle