This is the story behind Burny Games' second big hit, Colorwood Sort, which we launched in just 9.5 weeks from concept to release. Now, it’s performing incredibly well in the US, France, and Germany. The game was launched a year ago, in December 2023. Roman Herasymenko, the producer of Colorwood Sort, recently shared a recap of its development journey:
It all started in the fall of 2023, when our team became captivated by sorting games. The genre, though popular, felt a bit stale. Competitors’ games all looked the same, with repetitive gameplay and designs. That’s when we decided to create something different—a game that felt fresh, with smoother animations and more challenging levels, exactly as we envisioned. After analyzing the competition, we put together an MVP and a roadmap for future updates. By the end of 2023, Colorwood Sort was ready for release.
Production Period
From the initial idea to launch, the entire process took just 9.5 weeks, with only 5.5 weeks spent on actual development. Even now, that timeline sounds ambitious—some of our updates take longer!
What’s our secret? A clear vision, a talented senior team, and production processes focused on results. Knowing that such a tight timeline is achievable has now become our standard for new projects.
What Makes Colorwood Sort Stand Out?
Our Unique Journey
From our experience with Playdoku, we knew how much fun and rewarding a “Journey” mechanic could be. We built Colorwood Sort around this concept from the beginning. Completing levels became so addictive that we even hosted an internal tournament to see who could get the furthest!
Level Design
In sorting games, there aren’t many ways to drastically change the end result—sorted colored columns. But what makes the game interesting is the journey to that result. The challenge lies in how many different ways a player can succeed or fail. Hard levels have only a few correct paths, with most moves leading to failure. Early levels are easier, so players can win no matter what. We created a difficulty curve to keep the game engaging, balancing challenging levels with “rest” ones for a well-rounded experience.
We introduced five innovative game mechanics to enrich the player experience. For example, a Storage column that cannot be completed, serving as temporary storage while the player sorts a level; a Symbol column that only accepts blocks of matching colors; and a Refresh column that completely resets after a level is completed, providing the player with a new layer of blocks to work with. And much more.
By combining these elements, Colorwood Sort goes beyond the traditional sorting game formula, delivering a unique, exciting, and thoroughly engaging journey for players of all skill levels and keeping its top position in the sorting genre.
Wooden Aesthetic and Tactility
It might seem surprising, but the wooden theme adds a special mood. Wood as a material evokes calm and nostalgia; for many, it brings back memories of childhood toys. This familiar, tactile experience sets Colorwood Sort apart from other sorting games, which often feature liquids or balls. We knew we had to try this with colored wooden blocks! The physicality of the blocks and the satisfying haptic feedback make placing each piece a delightful experience.
Symbols for Accessibility
A common issue with sorting games is over-reliance on subtle color differences, which can frustrate players with visual impairments or those using devices with less accurate screens. We addressed this by adding symbols to the blocks. You can even play in black and white, as the symbols complement the colors, making the game accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Watching the Numbers
After the launch, we closely monitored several key metrics. Day-one retention was strong, thanks to the perfect synergy between our ad creatives and the actual game. Players who clicked on our ads got exactly what they expected—a perfect match!
We also noticed that players kept returning and playing many levels, which is great for a free-to-play game. More levels mean more ads, leading to better monetization. Additionally, demand for boosters was high. While some hardcore players prefer to finish levels without boosters, most are happy to use them to move past tricky levels more quickly.
In short, the game has a loyal audience and steady monetization—but we’re not stopping there. We continue to release updates that enhance gameplay, monetization, and overall user experience.
The Key is the Fun Factor
Colorwood Sort is a quick, engaging game with leisurely challenging levels. It offers just the right amount of challenge for players who want to solve puzzles without getting stuck. Each level may look similar, but the path to solving it is always unique. As players progress, they learn new strategies and feel smarter with each victory. It’s the kind of game you can pick up in a queue, on the road, or even during a boring meeting—just complete a few levels, enjoy the satisfying animations, and feel like a puzzle master.
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