Guardian Unlimited launches Sudoku puzzle league

Guardian Unlimited and Solid State have announced the launch of a new Sudoku league which lets players solve puzzles on their mobile phones and submit scores to compete head-to-head in the online league.

The Guardian Unlimited website offers daily Sudoku puzzles, and the new online league table and mobile phone puzzle service are designed to encourage reader loyalty.

By registering their mobile phone on the Guardian Unlimited website, readers will be sent a WAP push message that directs them to the GU Sudoku mobile web page, which offers three gameplay choices.

A free trial package for beginners offers one pack of six Sudoku puzzles, as an entry point in the online league. Occasional players can download a pack of six puzzles on any difficulty level for a fee of GBP 1.50, and Sudoku enthusiasts wishing to make their mark on the league table can opt for the subscription package.

Subscribers will be allowed to download three packs of six puzzles each week, on any difficulty level, for a sum of GBP 1.50 per week. Standard mobile subscription service rules apply, meaning gamers can opt out of the package at any time by texting 'Stop'.

Puzzles are completed using the mobile phone, and each solution will generate a unique PIN code. By entering the code online, players are ranked and added to the league table. Penalties for requesting hints will affect the overall standing in the league.

Ben Rometsch, co-founder of mobile and online content management and technology solutions firm Solid State Group, commented: "Uniquely, players can compete against each other by entering their scores into a newly developed website which tracks their performance and ranks them as scores are submitted. This connection between the normally disparate mobile and web platforms is a key part of the strategy to enhance the user experience."

London-based Solid State Group was founded in 2002 offering technical solutions and content management services for the online and wireless sectors. The company has developed a number of mobile and web applications for companies including Yahoo, Sony Ericsson, and 20th Century Fox, and provided content management and mobile solutions for the BRIT Awards.

The Sudoku League is a unique service for Guardian Unlimited readers, which it is hoped will encourage new readers and assist in the retention of its existing customers. Graham MacFadyen, subscriptions manager at Guardian Unlimited, described the service as an example of "mobile as part of our overall strategy, rather than a distinct mobile strategy."