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Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by tikotus on Thursday December 18, 2025 @02:25AM (#46309841)
https://cluesbysam.com

I started making a daily logic puzzle called Clues by Sam in May and it's been stadily growing since. The number one thing people were asking for was more puzzles, so I started selling puzzle packs instead of monetizing with ads. The reception has been great, and the revenue has been enough for me to decline some consulting gigs and instead focus on improving the game.

Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by DuncanCoffee on Thursday December 18, 2025 @04:23AM (#46310544)
Love it, I discovered it last week and bought a supporter pack after two days! Everytime I get stuck I'm 100% sure you made a mistake... Until I find my own mistake
Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by tikotus on Thursday December 18, 2025 @05:05AM (#46310835)
Thank you so much! Indeed, it's quite tempting to blame the game, but the algorithm that ensures all valid deductions are enabled hasn't been wrong a single time since it was finished in June. Often I don't believe it myself, but it always turns out to be smarter than me!
Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by kurtis_reed on Thursday December 18, 2025 @05:14AM (#46310880)
Hi Sam
Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by tikotus on Thursday December 18, 2025 @06:35AM (#46311462)
Hi there!
Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by lucasqueiroz on Thursday December 18, 2025 @05:45AM (#46311101)
I love the puzzles, I played once and already got the Pack #1, it's a great game! As soon as I finish #1, I will for sure get #2!
Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by tikotus on Thursday December 18, 2025 @06:35AM (#46311464)
Awesome! Thank you so much!
Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by insin on Thursday December 18, 2025 @06:40AM (#46311489)
I do Clues by Sam every day when I'm walking my dog before I start work, and I was particularly glad to have the daily mental workout this month, as I didn't have time for Advent of Code. Just bought both puzzle packs to support your great work!
Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by tikotus on Thursday December 18, 2025 @06:57AM (#46311602)
I don't know how you're able to focus while walking the dog, but good job! And thank you!
Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by tikotus on Thursday December 18, 2025 @07:42AM (#46311952)
Oh, and perhaps worth mentioning that today's puzzle is not very representative of a regular puzzle, as usually the grid is filled with different professions and not reindeers!
Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by rkomorn on Thursday December 18, 2025 @10:27AM (#46313770)
Is it representative of the regular difficulty because if so it... doesn't bode well for me.

The concept is really cool though. I like it!

Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by tikotus on Thursday December 18, 2025 @11:11AM (#46314533)
Thank you!

It's a pretty normal mid week puzzle. They start easy on Monday and get harder towards Sunday. But don't be afraid to use hints to get started with the game! It gets easier with time!

Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by petit_robert on Thursday December 18, 2025 @05:17PM (#46319597)
Hi,

When one clicks on 'Play tutorials', the text at the bottom reads :

>Start by follow the instructions

Should be 'Start by following the instructions', I believe?

Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by tikotus on Thursday December 18, 2025 @05:49PM (#46319921)
Indeed! Thank you, fixed!
Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by prettyblocks on Thursday December 18, 2025 @10:24AM (#46313721)
Are the puzzles generated algorithmically or manually?
Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by tikotus on Thursday December 18, 2025 @10:35AM (#46313919)
It's a mix of things. For example, there's an algorithm that ensures all valid deductions are allowed (I'm not smart enough to ensure all of them manually!). But a good amount of manual work goes into each daily puzzle.
Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by two_handfuls on Thursday December 18, 2025 @12:06PM (#46315444)
It's fun! Congrats!
Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by dezmou on Thursday December 18, 2025 @12:39PM (#46315924)
I love it, just purchased a pack. I've also found that it is a very great tool to test LLM, like take a screenshot of a half resolved game and feed it to ChatGPT with the rules and ask him to select the next target
Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by tikotus on Thursday December 18, 2025 @02:04PM (#46317041)
Thank you so much! Also, you might find this interesting regarding testing LLMs: https://www.nicksypteras.com/blog/cbs-benchmark.html
Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by dezmou on Thursday December 18, 2025 @12:47PM (#46316018)
turn out Claude Sonnet 4.5 is far better as resolving those as ChatGPT 5.2
Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by macaskar on Friday December 19, 2025 @10:54AM (#46327180)
Really loved it. Well done. 1000+ organic visits in 6+ months - awesome traction.

Do you want to put your CTA (puzzle packs) somewhere "higher" - closer to gameplay?

Re:Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 ... by nyhc99 on Friday December 19, 2025 @11:55AM (#46328019)
Thank you for the link, I loved today's puzzle and will now be a regular user