The Turing machine: A review of the deduction game, the analytics game

Turing Machine (YIKES!) was developed by Fabien Gridel and Yoann Levet and is suitable for one to four players. A machine with this name already exists. from Alan Turing Invented in the 1930s.

“The Turing machine is a mathematical machine model the Theoretical computer sciencethe one Abstract machine It is defined.”

This quote is the introductory sentence on Wikipedia to explain that particular machine. After three sentences at most, I was staring like a pig at the clock. Theoretical mathematics is not for me at all, I recommend the rest of the article to interested readers.

How does a Turing machine game work?

The goal is to crack a three-digit code with numerical values ​​from one to five. Depending on the task, there are four to six test cards and corresponding score cards available. Each numerical value comes in three colors. So, for example, I could take one blue, two yellow, and three purple. The same numbers work too, but not in the same color. The punch card makes up the bulk of the number card. To check the assumption, I place the three number cards on top of each other and then place this stack on the score card.

Nothing without verification cards in a Turing machine

What's the deal with test cards? These give me clues. For example, a choice card might say “Blue is less than, equal to, or greater than three.” In my initial example I chose blue. So I'm going into this test assuming: Blue is less than three. If I raise the score card to the level of my punch cards and see a green mark in one of the punch card windows, I'm on the right track. But I don't know if it's actually one, since two is also smaller than three. If another test shows that purple must be an even number, and another test shows that blue and purple together make a six, then blue can only be a two.

With my test code, I can test three out of the four to six test cards, and then I have to change the code. The range of tasks ranges from “hey, I can do this myself” to “seedy nightmare”. 20 of them are included in the rulebook, and another seven million (!) are online.

What is the use of a Turing machine?

friends Mastermind He will scream with joy! My version at that time was still called Mastermind It is from Christmas 1975. It has been sitting on the shelf unplayed since 1976… Obviously I was never prepared for this kind of opponent's game. But: The Turing machine already catches me! This mix and match puzzle is fast, easy to use and challenging. To make a comparison: Mastermind It is a 1D, 3D Turing Machine (less in terms of area compared to a variety of variants).

It's inherently excellent as a solo game. However, what surprised me was that it was also interesting in rounds with 2 to 4 players, where the goal was to find the correct solution with fewer attempts.

The Turing Machine is an unusual game, something different.

Not everyone will like it, the discount principle is too special for that. It plays quickly and is not a full movie in itself, rather it is at the beginning of a game evening. I advise everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to play a game if the opportunity arises. Like I said, logic lovers will be happy!