How We Make and Test the Games on GamesYap

Most of the games on GamesYap are original games designed and built by our own team. That gives us something many game sites cannot offer: we know every game inside out, and we can fix, balance and improve it ourselves. This article explains how a game goes from idea to the Play button — and what we check before it reaches you.

1. Original ideas, original art

Every game starts from a familiar genre — pool, sudoku, a racing game, a platformer — and then gets its own world, characters and twists. The art is drawn in code by our team, the characters are our own, and every game has an original name. We never copy another company's game, characters or brand.

Not every game on the site is ours. Some come from independent developers who publish with us, and developers who want to join can read our Developers page. Whoever made a game, it goes through the same review before it goes live.

2. Designed for every screen

A game has to work on a small phone held upright, a phone turned sideways, a tablet and a big computer screen. We design the layout for all of them from the start, and every game supports touch, mouse and keyboard. Buttons are big enough for thumbs and never sit on top of the action.

The GamesYap player helps too. Every game keeps its own shape on desktops, tablets and phones, opens full screen on mobile and remembers your sound and language settings, so you don't have to set them again each time.

3. Puzzles that can always be solved

Nothing is more frustrating than a puzzle with no solution. For our logic games we use solvers — small programs that play the puzzle — to prove every level can be finished:

• In Mine Seeker, a solver checks each board so you never face a coin-flip guess. The board is only built after your first dig, which is always safe. The solver must then be able to clear it from that dig by logic alone; if it can't, the board is thrown away and built again.
• In Lotus Mahjong, deals are built so a winning path always exists. Each deal is made backwards from the full layout: two free positions get a matching pair and are taken away, again and again, until the board is empty. Played in that order, the deal is won. If no free pair is left, the game shuffles the remaining tiles the same way, so a board can never get stuck.
• In Gotcha Steps, a search program proves every trap room can be cleared — and checks that simply running right is never enough.

4. Balanced by simulation

For games of skill and chance we run thousands of computer-played rounds. That is how we set fair challenge limits in Jelly Jar, check that computer opponents are neither too easy nor unbeatable, and make sure no level gets stuck.

5. Tested with real input

Before release, every game is played with real taps, swipes, clicks and key presses on five screen sizes — phones in both orientations, a tablet and desktop screens. We check that the controls respond, the game can be won and lost, results save correctly, and there are zero errors.

6. Fast on ordinary phones

We measure frame rates on a simulated phone and remove anything that makes a game stutter — for example by painting still backgrounds once instead of every frame. A smooth game feels better and saves battery.

7. Reviewed before it goes live

Every game, ours or a partner's, goes through the same review before it reaches the site. We check the files, scan for hidden ads and trackers, set an age rating and test it on phones and desktops.

• Age ratings. Each game gets a rating of 3+, 7+, 12+, 16+ or 18+ during the review. Signed-in players only see games that suit their age.
• No hidden tracking. Games run on their own subdomains and may save your progress in browser storage there, but they can't set ad or tracking cookies. We check every game for ad and tracking code before it is published.
• Results checked by our servers. When a game reports a finished level, match or achievement, our servers check it before any points are added. You can read more in how GamesYap points work.

8. Fair rewards, fair ads

Coins in games are for looks and helpers. Ads never appear during active play and never give points. Optional "watch an ad" helpers always have a free alternative. Every ad is clearly labelled "Advertisement", full-screen ads appear only between games or levels, and the game pauses and mutes whenever an ad is on screen. Children under 13 see a child-safe catalog with only non-personalized ads.

9. Updated after launch

We keep improving games after release — new levels, smoother controls and fixes from player reports. Each game page shows its version and "What's new" notes, so you can see what changed.

Tell us what you think

Found a bug or have an idea? Use Report a problem on any game page or contact us. Real player feedback shapes every update. When you report a problem, include the game's name and your device — it helps us find and fix the issue quickly. You can also email support@gamesyap.com; we read every message.

FAQ

Who makes the games on GamesYap?

Most games on GamesYap are original games designed, built and tested by the GamesYap team. Each game page lists its developer. Some games come from independent developers who publish with us, and every game — ours or a partner's — goes through the same review of its files, ads, trackers and age rating before it goes live.

How do you make sure puzzle levels can be solved?

We use solver programs that play the puzzles and prove every level or board can be finished, and we only publish levels that pass. In Mine Seeker, for example, a board that the solver cannot clear by logic alone is thrown away and rebuilt, and Lotus Mahjong deals are built backwards from the full board, so a winning order always exists.

Do GamesYap games work on phones?

Yes. Every game is designed and tested for phones in portrait and landscape, tablets and computers, with touch, mouse and keyboard controls. On phones, games open full screen, and if a game works best sideways it will ask you to turn your device. The player also remembers your sound and language settings.

How can I report a problem with a game?

Use the Report a problem button on the game's page, or send us a message through the contact page with the game's name and your device. Before you report, it can help to refresh the page, check your connection and make sure your browser is up to date, which fixes many loading problems.

Can games on GamesYap set tracking cookies?

Games run on their own subdomains and may save your progress in browser storage there, but they cannot set ad or tracking cookies. We check every game for ad and tracking code before it is published. Our Cookies & Ads page explains how cookies and ads work on the rest of the site and the choices you have.