Q-Less (game)

Q-Less is a single-player word puzzle game in which the player rolls 12 dice and uses the resulting letters to form connected words in a crossword-style arrangement.^[1][2] It was invented by game designer Tom Sturdevant.^[1][3] Its name comes from the omission of the letter Q from the dice.^[2][3]

According to the game's official rules, the player rolls the dice and attempts to use all 12 letters to make words that connect.^[1] Words must be at least three letters long, proper nouns and names are not allowed, and there is no time limit or scoring.^[1] Most rolls can be solved, but not all; the player must roll again if no solution can be found.^[1][2]

In an interview, inventor Tom Sturdevant said the idea for a solitaire word game played with dice came to him during a road trip in the early 2000s.^[3] He began prototyping the game by using press-on letters on blank dice.^[3] To make the gameplay smoother, the letter Q was removed, which also informed the game's name.^[1][3] The game was released in 2018.^[1]

Writing for Geeks Under Grace, Spencer Patterson described Q-Less as an "enjoyable challenge" and recommended it as a portable word puzzle.^[2] Cathy Duffy Reviews described the game as a simple activity that reinforces spelling and vocabulary skills.^[4] The game and its inventor have been featured in local television coverage, including a WSMV segment demonstrating how to play the game.^[5] Sturdevant has also been interviewed on the board game podcast Thespokentoken.^[6]

• Official website