u/TargetLabs

My first mobile game, Dice Target, recently reached 500 downloads.

It’s still a small milestone, but getting the first few hundred players has taught me much more than I expected — especially about onboarding, UI, and how differently people actually use a game compared to how you imagine they will while building it.

Most of the improvements I’ve made since launch came directly from player feedback.

I’m curious how other indie developers approached the next stage:

What made the biggest difference for you between 500 and 1,000 downloads?

Any order is allowed.
Use each die exactly once.
Parentheses are allowed.
Exact division only.
No negative numbers.
Not every operation has to be used.

How many solutions can you find?

Please use spoiler tags for solutions:
&gt;!your solution here!<

I’ve been working on Dice Target, a dice-based math puzzle game where players combine five dice using basic operations to reach a target number.

One thing I noticed after watching new players was that many jumped straight into the harder modes instead of learning the mechanics first. They often quit before understanding the game.

I’m now redesigning the home screen to make Beginner Practice (3 dice) much more prominent and to guide players through the basics before introducing Daily, Rush, and Duels.

It’s been a good reminder that sometimes the biggest challenge isn’t the gameplay itself—it’s helping players reach the point where they can enjoy it.

I’d love to hear what onboarding changes made the biggest difference in your own projects.

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwokkinlau.dicetarget

Use each die exactly once.
Any order is allowed.
Parentheses are allowed.
Exact division only.
No negative numbers.
Not every operation has to be used.

How many solutions can you find?

Please use spoiler tags for solutions:
&gt;!your solution here!<

Dice Target is a free dice-based math puzzle game where you combine dice using basic operations to reach a target number.

Price: Free
Subscription: None
In-app purchases: None

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwokkinlau.dicetarget

Use each die exactly once.
Any order is allowed.
Parentheses are allowed.
Exact division only.
No negative numbers.
Not every operation has to be used.

How many solutions can you find?

Please use spoiler tags for solutions, like this:

&gt;!your solution here!<

Use each die exactly once.
Any order is allowed.
Parentheses are allowed.
Exact division only.
No negative numbers.
Not every operation has to be used.

How many solutions can you find?

Fixed challenge from my dice puzzle game.

Dice: 6, 1, 4, 2, 5
Target: 63

Rules:
Use each die exactly once.
Any order is allowed.
Parentheses allowed.
Exact division only: division must result in a whole number.
No negative numbers.

How many solutions can you find?

I added a new 3 Dice Practice mode to Dice Target.

The idea is simple: reach the target using 3 dice and basic math operations.

It’s meant as an easier entry point before the full 5-dice mode and Rush Mode.

Feedback on clarity, pacing, or onboarding would be appreciated.

Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwokkinlau.dicetarget

Dice Target is a mobile math puzzle game where you combine dice using + − × ÷ to reach a target number.

The new version has a warmer board-game style UI and includes several modes:

• Practice with 3, 4 or 5 dice
• Daily Challenge with 5 puzzles
• Rush mode: solve as many as possible in 90 seconds
• Duels against a friend

Rules:
• Use each original die once
• Merged results can be reused
• Parentheses are allowed
• Integer division only
• No negative numbers

Some puzzles have multiple valid solutions. Some have none.

Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwokkinlau.dicetarget

I’m looking for feedback on the rules, UI, and first-time experience.

Parentheses allowed. Integer division only. No negative numbers. Not every operation has to be used.

How many solutions can you find?

Please use spoiler tags for solutions, like this:

&gt;!your solution here!<

Parentheses are allowed.
Not all operations need to be used.

Please use spoiler tags for solutions:

&gt;!example solution here!<

One thing I noticed while building puzzle games is that many of them feel “solved” too quickly once players understand the mechanics.

So lately I’ve been focusing less on adding features and more on improving:
pacing
replayability
tension
progression
overall game feel

A surprisingly small change in progression design completely changed how replayable the game felt, even though the core gameplay stayed almost identical.

The goal now is making the experience feel more competitive, satisfying, and “one more run” driven instead of just educational or mechanically solved.

Curious how other developers approach long-term engagement and replayability in puzzle games.

Game:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwokkinlau.dicetarget

Built with Flutter.
You solve targets using 5 dice and math operations before the timer runs out.

Still polishing the UI/animations, but Rush Mode is getting addictive.

I’ve been polishing this puzzle game for months and finally reached a point where the UI feels cohesive.

The idea is simple:
Use 5 dice and basic math operations to reach the target number.

Current modes:
• Daily Challenge
• Rush (90 seconds)
• Free Play / Training
• Async Multiplayer Duels

Built as a solo Flutter project.
Still refining animations, sound design and overall game feel, but the core experience is finally coming together.

Rules:
• Use each die exactly once
• + − × ÷ only
• Parentheses allowed

Still refining the overall design and game feel, but I’m getting closer to the visual style I want. The game is based around reaching a target number using dice and basic operations.

Currently redesigning the UI and overall visual identity for Dice Target.

Trying to create a cleaner premium look while keeping the gameplay readable and simple.