Listener Crossword No 4368 -- The Name Of The Game By Harribobs

[jim360]

The preamble was enough for an early PDM, although I've not actually played the game properly before. Then it was a relatively speedy gridfill before I nervously attempted the endgame, dreading the randomness that was going to be a pain to check. In retrospect, I should have thought that our setter would have been more careful to ensure a proper finish, and so it proved.

Well done Harribobs, and a fine debut even if it was over fairly quickly.

[EAChaplin]

Crosswhit you have hit the nail squarely on the head. How on earth would JEG check that the 'extra' generation highlighted was correct. He checks entries against the copy supplied to him by the editors and would have no means of knowing how many shaded cells there should be in an alternative version.

[crosswhit99]

If we assume that G1 is the solution really intended by the setter then that's right. As I wrote on the first page, I would suggest submitting 2 grids showing respective generations with a covering note to that effect.

[Philoctetes]

I fail to see any ambiguity. The starting point is the completed grid, clarified by the "information", which simply defines the pattern; the first application of the rules produces the first "G"; the second application produces the second "G". This is exactly as described in the original article.

[perseverer]

This discussion could run and run, and in a couple of weeks we'll find out what solution(s) proved acceptable. On a slightly different tack, can anyone suggest how you could readily confirm the name of the creator or get further information about the game without the Internet and Google? (Other search engines are available)

[Mysterons]

On checking the index of Matt Parker's excellent "Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension", there is a reference to the game, but indexed by its creator, so that wouldn't help. Most bizarrely the entry reads:

"_____'s Game of ______ - not mentioned" !!!

[icynorth]

You'll find the game and creator listed in "A Dictionary of Scientists" (Oxford, 1999). If your local library doesn't have a copy, your library card will give you access to the online version - I guess that breaks your 'no internet' condition, though. Would using one of the library's terminals count?

[logophile]

Other useful sources:

The Encyclopedia of Ecology and Environmental Sciences (Blackwell, 1998)

The Dictionary of Human Geography (Blackwell, 2009)

Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science (2005)

I'm guessing that most of us will have at least one of these amongst our reference books at home.

[IainGrace]

Wimping out again, I'm afraid. Filled the grid very easily and then set aside. Comments here about ambiguous rubric, coupled with clear indications as to the theme, lead us to the view that the challenge doesn't engage our interest at all, especially with this week's now available. Well done to those who have completed it (correctly).