Step-over sequence mazes
Step over the lines in the correct colour sequence, that's all there is to it. Various micro-collections of mazes are currently accessible below, all freshly implemented in puzzlescript (2021 onwards).
Update October 2023: Brad Klee sent me his Wolfram analysis of one of my red-white-blue step-over mazes. His write-up digs deep into how to measure the potential complexity of such mazes and includes a comprehensive search for the best possible grid layouts on the 3x3 and 4x4 grid. The resulting two mazes are playable here.
Sample puzzle
Aim
Enter left, exit right. Step over the lines in the correct colour sequence to solve the maze. The sequence is displayed below the maze, repeat it as needed. The stepper icon will change colour as you move to indicate the colour of your next step
Collections
Pre-2010: play here
Feb 2021: play here
Wolfram (2023): play here
The first prototype (red-white-blue) maze, in action at Moulsford village green at one of our local village parties (June 2005).
The maze was inspired by the purchase of a cheap ribbon 'door' made of lightweight plastic strips. It was cut to pieces and stapled together again in an afternoon, and only survived a couple of outings.
The second prototype (red-blue-yellow) at final manufacturing stage (Oct 2005). This version is far more durable being made of heavy-duty polypropylene webbing, riveted together.
Four of these webbing mazes (two 4x4 designs and two 5x5 designs) were built for the Techniek Museum Delft, for use during their national Science Day in October 2006.
The second prototype in action at Gathering for Gardner VII in Atlanta (March 2006). Being road tested here by great logic-maze master himself Robert Abbott (www.logicmazes.com).
Beyond clickmazes
A few places where step-over sequence mazes have been spotted in the wild...
- Featured on the cover of GAMES magazine (USA) (2007)
- Encountered in PerplexCity during the hunt for the Receda Cube (2006)
- Featured at Momath - Museum of Mathematics as one of their interactive "Math Square" challenges
- Inspired a 7-colour hex-design at a-maze-a-week (2011)
- Featured at various street festivals and science fairs (2009-2023).
- Published as part of a G4G Exchange paper (2016)
- Published by the Grabarchuk family in their Puzzle Box book series (2017)
- Embraced by Dave Phillips as part of his own maze-puzzle collection
- Featured as a KPU maths problem of the week (2018)
GAMES magazine cover (July 2007)
implementation, concept & maze design - Andrea Gilbert 2006-2023
Wolfram designs - Brad Klee 2023