Key Facts
- ✓ The game requires players to find 15 words from a category to meet the minimum requirement.
- ✓ Multi-word answers are allowed, such as 'NEW YORK' and 'NORTH DAKOTA' for the letter N.
- ✓ The game provides two hints and a shuffle button to reorder letters by frequency.
- ✓ It was inspired by a pen-and-paper game played on road trips to visit a great-grandmother.
Quick Summary
A new word game titled A to Z has been released, drawing inspiration from a family tradition of playing pen-and-paper games on long road trips. The developer spent the holidays recreating this memory into a digital format accessible at a26z.fun. The core objective is to identify 15 words within a specific category as rapidly as possible.
Once the initial 15-word minimum is achieved, players are free to continue guessing for an unlimited duration. The game utilizes a unique clue system where letters indicate the number of target words starting with that specific letter. For instance, 'A¹' signifies one word beginning with A, while 'N²' indicates two words starting with N.
Key mechanics include the allowance of multi-word answers, which distinguishes the gameplay from standard word searches. If the category is 'US States' and the clue is N², both 'NEW YORK' and 'NORTH DAKOTA' are valid entries. The game also provides players with unlimited guesses, two hints per session, and a shuffle button to reorder the letters by frequency.
Gameplay Mechanics and Rules
The gameplay of A to Z centers on deductive reasoning and category knowledge. Players are presented with a category and a set of letters, each accompanied by a superscript number indicating the count of target words starting with that letter. This system allows players to strategize their guesses based on the frequency of letters within the category.
A distinct feature of the game is the multi-word answer allowance. Unlike many word games that require single words, A to Z accommodates compound names or phrases. The developer provided an example to illustrate this mechanic:
- Category: US States
- Letters: A¹ M¹ N² S²
- Answers: ALABAMA, MONTANA, NEW MEXICO, SOUTH DAKOTA
In this example, the letter N has a superscript of 2, allowing for two distinct entries: NEW MEXICO and NEW YORK (if the category allowed it). The game also includes utility features to assist the player. These include unlimited guesses, removing the pressure of a limited attempt count, and two specific hints that can be used when stuck. Additionally, a shuffle button is available to reorder the letters by frequency, helping players visualize which letters are most likely to yield points.
"Long time lurker here. My family had a pen-and-paper game we'd play on long drives to visit my great-grandmother."
— Game Developer
Inspiration and Development
The creation of A to Z is rooted in personal history. The developer describes themselves as a 'long time lurker' who decided to digitize a family pastime. The original game was a simple pen-and-paper activity played during long drives to visit the developer's great-grandmother. Following the passing of the great-grandmother, the developer utilized the holiday season to recreate the game as a digital tribute.
The developer draws a comparison between A to Z and other popular word games currently on the market. Specifically, they mention Connections and Strands as games that provide a similar satisfaction. However, they emphasize that A to Z introduces a unique 'deduction twist' that differentiates it from these contemporaries. The focus is on the logic of narrowing down possibilities based on letter counts rather than just finding words within a grid.
The project was shared with the community on January 7, 2026, via a platform associated with Y Combinator. The post garnered immediate attention, receiving 4 points and generating discussion among users interested in the intersection of technology and lifestyle gaming.
Availability and Access
A to Z is currently available online via its dedicated website. The game is accessible to anyone with an internet connection, requiring no downloads or installations. It is designed to be a lightweight, browser-based experience suitable for quick sessions or extended play.
The game appeals to a broad audience, particularly those who enjoy word puzzles and logic challenges. By basing the categories on familiar topics such as 'Stone Fruits,' 'US States,' and 'Dog Breeds,' the game ensures accessibility for casual players while still offering a challenge for enthusiasts. The developer's choice to release the game shortly after the holidays suggests a desire to share the personal project with a wider audience as a way of honoring family traditions.
"If you're into Connections or Strands, this scratches a similar itch but with a deduction twist."
— Game Developer
