I just released a free demo for my upcoming Windows game Pixelogic: Nonograms Unlimited for Steam. It’s an early preview, so please check it out an give me any feedback!
Future of Substack Newsletter
I created this newsletter almost 3 years ago as a solution to a problem: the Pixelogic app, which hadn’t had an update in years, was starting to fall apart and the weekly puzzle feature was no longer functional. As a temporary solution, I quickly created a nonogram player on my website and set up this newsletter to send out a playable link to the week’s featured 25x25 puzzle until I could get Pixelogic up and running again.
After I launched a fix to the Pixelogic app, I decided to keep the newsletter around to post occasional product updates regarding bug fixes and new features. Then earlier this year, I revamped the newsletter again, this time to a weekly newsletter with playable links to the week’s upcoming puzzles, sprinkled with some Pixelogic news and fun facts. This has been a beneficial exercise for me, as thinking of new topics (such as How many 5x5 nonograms are there?) inspired me to create the Every 5x5 Nonogram game.
Despite that, there have been some negatives:
Substack as a platform - I use Substack to host this newsletter. Initially, I thought it would be a great alternative to social media, as it provided more certainty that my updates were reaching my audience. Unfortunately, over the years Substack has become increasingly similar to other social media platforms with its Twitter-like feed, while refusing to moderate extremist content. All platforms have their problems, though I believe Substack has crossed a line. Also, I have been recently receiving notifications from the Substack app for some very sexualized content that, while I believe has its place, is inappropriate for me personally. I hate to think that’s also happening to some of my subscribers.
Substack pricing is too high - Substack requires prices for premium tier to be $5/month or $50/year at a minimum. Support from fans is crucial as I venture into releasing free puzzle experiments, though I believe this is too high an ask.
Reaching a new audience - I haven’t seen a lot of new organic traffic other than from the Pixelogic or Every 5x5 Nonogram game.
Connecting with players - Unfortunately having a paid portion of the newsletter restricts comments to paid subscribers only, limiting my ability to have a conversation with players.
Low puzzle click-through rates - The main appeal of the weekly newsletter is the playable puzzle links, though less than 10% of openers click on one of these links.
Given this, I think a change is needed. I created a Patreon recently which solves many of these problems (less problematic, lower pricing, more options for connecting), though I’d love to get your feedback on the future of this newsletter.
Let me know what you think! Your feedback will help inform my decision on what changes to make.
This Week’s Puzzles
Click the puzzle links below to play this week’s upcoming puzzles:
Mini 15x15 Puzzles
🧩 Golden Pair by Lumen - August 31, 2025
🧩 Ducky by Mozzmatozz - September 5, 2025
🧩 Treasure Chest by Sunny - September 6, 2025
Daily 20x20 Puzzles
🧩 Raven by Mozzmatozz - August 31, 2025
🧩 Island holiday by Ni! - September 1, 2025
🧩 Liar, liar by Mat - September 2, 2025
🧩 Happy Dog! by Cinny - September 3, 2025
🧩 Wading Bird by CazzaT - September 6, 2025
Weekly 25x25 Puzzle
Have a great week!