About Laser Maze

Laser Maze is a path-routing puzzle built around laser beams, walls, and a set of diagonal mirrors.

I wanted to create a game that isn't too difficult, but still has room for competition.

After trying out a few ideas I settled on this concept — I'm not claiming I invented it; this type of puzzle has existed for a long time.

I wrote some Python to simulate the grid, lasers, and mirrors, then set out to guarantee a unique solution. Then I realised it would work better if there wasn't a single solution.

So I reworked the generator to ensure there is at least one way to solve the layout, then provide a couple of extra mirrors to allow experimentation.

The submission verifier needed a rework too: instead of comparing against one exact arrangement, it re-simulates every beam, so alternate working layouts are allowed.

That change made the game a little too easy, until it occurred to me that the challenge could be to maximise your score, rather than just solve it as fast as possible.

So I created the scoring system and set it up so you can update a submission whenever you beat your previous score.