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Maki Kaji/
Sudoku
Lecture & Mini Contests/t-Shirts & books from Nikoli company awarded to winners
Nikoli & Sudoku Facts
Q: What does Sudoku mean?
Su means “the number” and Doku means “single” in Japanese. It indicates bachelor numbers with a little sense of humor:
“the single-digit number should be kept bachelor and unmarried.”
Q. Who named the modern version of Sodoku?
Maki Kaji, founder of Japanese-based logic puzzle company, Nikoli Co. Ltd., named the puzzle Sudoku. He renamed and refined the original version of the game, Number Place, so that it appealed to the masses. Because of this, Kaji is known as the world’s Godfather of Sudoku.
Q: How did Nikoli find the original version of Sudoku?
Kaji’s encounter with the original version of Sudoku dates back to 1979. His friend who took a trip to the U.S. brought back a puzzle magazine called Dell as a souvenir. A puzzle called Number Place in the issue intrigued him. Nikoli eventually created a new refined version in which each number worked as a clue in finding the next one. Nikoli’s givens, the numbers already filled in cells as clues, are always found in a symmetrical pattern. The refined version was visually appealing too, which was another factor for popularity. He introduced the modified version in 1984 and it became widespread among Japanese readers.
Q: How many people play Sudoku worldwide?
According to Nikoli’s estimate, 400 million people have heard about Sudoku while 100 million people have actually played it.
Q. What is the age range of Sudoku players?
The age ranges from five years old to 90 years old based on the level of the game.
Q: How many countries have Sudoku players?
Nikoli estimates that Sudoku is played in more than 100 countries by now. Among them, Nikoli has done business in 20 counties.
Q: How many puzzles has Nikoli invented?
Since its foundation in 1980, Nikoli has created more than 250 types of logic puzzles. Some of the puzzles were refined from the original version so that the public in general could enjoy them. Sudoku is one of these examples.
Q: What is unique about Nikoli’s puzzles?
Nikoli’s editors collaborate with approximately 50,000 people including individual creators and fans. Readers can submit their new puzzle ideas as well as existing puzzle questions they created. Nikoli is very particular about the quality of the puzzles published and its editors carefully review each puzzle submission. Even an experienced creator can be rejected through the review process. This process gives Nikoli’s puzzles a totally different “flavor” and excitement. Many of Nikoli’s puzzles are handcrafted which makes the company the only kind like it in the world.
Q: What is unique about Nikoli’s business model?
For the past 25 years, Nikoli has built an open subculture by getting its readers and fans involved in the process of puzzle creation and invention. Readers can submit their new puzzle ideas as well as existing puzzle questions they created. Nikoli’s staff reviews them and publishes those chosen with the names of their creators. This business model was credited in the book, We Are Smarter Than Me: How to Unleash the Power of Crowds in Your Business (2007).
Q: What do media say about Nikoli?
The New York Times March 21, 2007 Inside Japan’s Puzzle Palace: “Nikoli, which publishes puzzle magazines and books, is widely regarded as the world’s most prolific wellspring of logic games and brainteasers.” BBC News June 13, 2007 “If you are hooked on Sudoku-the puzzle where you fill numbers in on a grid-the man you have to blame is a Japanese publisher who unleashed it on an unsuspecting world.”
Q: What do readers say about Nikoli’s Sudoku?
“Whenever I can solve a hard Sudoku, I imagine how mathematicians feel when they solve a difficult equation. I feel like a great mathematician myself!” “Sudoku is a lonely game when you do it by yourself. However, it will become a game with spirit of cooperation when you do it with your wife.” “I will be 87 years old next month. Thanks to Sudoku, my everyday life is filled with joy.” “I swim in the morning. I play Sudoku in the afternoon. That means I am struggling in the square shaped container all day long…”
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