Paper Apps
55 comments
·February 6, 2025lifefeed
I had the Dungeon Notebook. It was fun. I played it until I got bored, which was quick, then gave it away.
The ability to "give away" these little games are part of the fun. I'd like to see a game like this where "giving it away" is part of the game. Something you can pass around a school or a con. Like an analog version of Chain World, which was a mini-Minecraft-on-a-USB-stick that you were supposed to pass on. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_World )
jacoblambda
Subnautica has a somewhat related concept which is that at the end of the game you have the ability to send a single time capsule to the maps of new players. They contain text, a picture (taken with the in game camera), and a handful of items.
It's a cute little feature that allows you to send something helpful (or just amusing) to the next generation of players.
lifefeed
I got a little fish in my first capsule (along something useful that I can't remember, maybe a suit). I kept it the whole game, then passed it on in my own capsule. It's silly, but I still think about that fish.
itishappy
Scrawl it! *thump. clap. thump thump clap thump*
Erase it! *thump. clap. thump thump clap thump*
Pass it! *dun dun dun dun dun dun*
mhb
Wait until you hear about PaperBooks. They're like a Kindle download except, once you finish reading one, you can give it to anyone else to read. And BookNotes are completely portable - anything you write in it stays with the PaperBook and can be read by any other person.
rchaud
This reminds me of a scene in Parks and Recreation where a local fashionista in a small town is pitching the latest evolution of almond milk and oat milk....beef milk.
benbristow
You're going to be blown away when you hear about DRM free eBooks and LibGen...
tutuca
I believe he was being sarcastic and talking about old fashioned, actual paper books.
pmkary
This is both very funny and very sad :)
Paper is its own thing. if you think about it, the todo list in the computer was first a skeuomorph of the paper one. Now people have become so alienated from the paper that someone has brought their computer todo to the paper :))))
Not only this does not promote the paper, but is a huge promotion for the computer! By being a constant reminder to the notebook's owner: "this is not a computer", one will have no choice but to keep thinking of all the things they miss in their todo from a dynamic medium :))))
viccis
When it comes to skeuomorphism, this really is the last stage in the precession of the simulacra. First you have the original thing based in reality (writing todo notes on paper). Then you have the first order unfaithful copy (skeuomorphic imitation). Next you have the second order version that masks the absence of the original thing (removal of skeuomorphism and integration of other functionality, you're no longer using a computer to replace writing down notes, you're using it in its own right). Finally, you have the pure simulacrum with no relation to reality whatsoever. That todo notepad pretending to be a computer app that doesn't exist when actual notepad-like games (like crosswords) still exist.
Not so much sad as just kinda funny I think.
cowsandmilk
I don’t think this is sad at all. And I’m not sure how this can be described as bringing computer todo to paper.
Retr0id
It's just a matter of framing. If "paper" is your starting point, a computerized todo list is "paper, but smarter". If a computerized todo list is your starting point (which for many it is), then paper is "computers, but dumber".
It is a little sad (in a nostalgic sense) that paper apparently becomes more marketable when contrasted with the features of computers (apps specifically), rather than as a product in its own right.
svrtknst
for given values of "smarter" and "dumber". i've yet to encounter a smart digital to-do system. most are terrible and pretty dumb. a paper todo is pretty much as smart as you make it.
Raztuf
>A skeuomorph is a derivative object that retains ornamental design cues (attributes) from structures that were necessary in the original.
Thanks for the new word !
andsoitis
Skeuomorphism: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/skeuomorphism/
FrustratedMonky
A skeuomorph (also spelled skiamorph, /ˈskjuːəˌmɔːrf, ˈskjuːoʊ-/) is a derivative object that retains ornamental design cues (attributes) from structures that were necessary in the original. Skeuomorphs are typically used to make something new feel familiar in an effort to speed understanding and acclimation.
paxys
We had something else before paper, and we'll have something else after the computer. Being sad over technological progress is a fool's errand. It'll happen whether you want it to or not. And you always have a personal choice to use whatever tools you want.
bencyoung
Personally I think this is a really cool idea: https://experiments.withgoogle.com/paper-phone. Both mildly mocking and thought provoking at the same time!
robbomacrae
I wish there was a bulk buy discount then these would make for awesome party bag fillers at my kids birthday parties. Much better than giving out candy...
ggbjr
So much hate. These are great for those of us interested in introducing a little more analog into the lives of our teenage kids. I’m re-upping now.
hugs
Speaking of teenage kids, these could also be useful in places where computers/phones are not allowed (like backpacking/camping trips or in school). Most likely, they'd rather play card games, but this might provide a nice alternative and is easier to pause and get back to a task than card games.
bityard
If the creator shows up (or if anyone else knows), can you shed some light on how exactly the Print and Play editions work? The product pages do not have enough information, unfortunately. After you pay, do you just get a static PDF with X number of pages? Or do the PDFs contain Javascript to generate new levels? Or does the website generate your PDFs for you, with a random seed if you ask it to? If so, how many times can you do it?
johnwayne666
Interesting idea. There are also solo board games that can be carried in your pocket. Some of them listed here: https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/273744/small-box-solo-gam...
Recommendations are welcome :)
WillAdams
Interestingly, that was one of the original considerations for _Magic: The Gathering_ --- but somehow, my main (Commander) deck has become an unpocketable behemoth which is tedious to shuffle and which requires a box containing:
- play mat
- dice
- counters
- tokens
(and constant supervision since I had to add a rider to my insurance policy 'cause while my Elvish Archers are no longer in it, some rather valuable cards from when I first started playing are still in it)
iimblack
Onirim is good but the phone app is better since there’s so much shuffling. Cursed?! is one of my favorites. Galdors Grip is really cool in that you can play it in hand, you don’t need a table, so you can play it anywhere.
latexr
I really like the idea. I have some notes/suggestions.
I only saw the GALAXY video and my immediate thought was that I wouldn’t want to scribble over the levels. I understand that’s kind of the point but I’m confident I’d enjoy replaying the same level to “speed run” it or giving the books away to someone else later. What I think could work is a detachable acetate sheet to place over pages. This way you can play it over and over.
I would ask that you make it obvious somewhere the places you ship from. Reason being I’m in the EU and having anything shipped from the US always bites me, to the point I just refuse to do it now because it’s never worth the cost and stress. Things often get stuck in customs, and if I can get them unstuck at all I need to pay insane taxes. Being able to verify the shipping origin would help.
One game that could be fun is something inspired by ChuChu Rocket. I remember as a kid liking to solve the puzzles, and once I imagined drawing the harder ones on graph paper so I could solve them on the go.
hexmiles
I love paper tools and games.
Another one that i use is: https://davidseah.com/productivity-tools/
SirFatty
I posted the same link then had to delete because I didn't see your comment. Been a fan of David Seah for about 10 years.
hassleblad23
This looks incredible.
Brajeshwar
I love writing and continue to explore various writing tools (pen/paper), and digital. Right now, I use a mix of digital and physical tools — fountain pens, paper notebooks, and devices (iPad/iPhone/Mac).
- Commonplace Notes: I almost always start in a physical notebook. I then transferred (typed) this to my digital version for more permanent reference.
- Journal: I write a lot. I moved to all digital about 10 years ago but moved back to physical about 5 years ago. I really love the tactile feel of the paper kicking back to my fountain pen, and I believe I will maintain my journal in a physical notebook.
- Temporary Notes/Quicknotes: I used both a pocket notebook and the usual digital notes on the device available with me at that time. These notes are considered ephemeral and the useful info is moved to the Commonplace Notes or the Journal. I write almost all physical meeting notes in a physical notebook with a pen. They usually end up being the reference that gets circulated to the participants.
Found these a couple weeks ago and bought the golf PDF for my <7y/o nephew and he was initially hesitant but then thrilled once he understood the basic premise. Didn’t have the heart to start teaching him A* and manhattan distance, that’ll come later.
I’m glad the creator made this and am looking forward to seeing more of these
Side note, these reminded me of pocket mod which I absolutely loved using 15 years ago https://pocketmod.com/