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Posted by terabytest 10/24/2024

Show HN: 2048 turned 10 this year, I built an updated version to celebrate(play2048.co)
Hi all! My name is Gabriele Cirulli, I’m the original creator of 2048. Ten years ago, someone posted 2048 on HN[1] and suddenly it seemed like everyone was playing it. Back then, I wrote a bit about my experience during those weeks[2].

Even after all these years, that experience still feels a bit surreal to me. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who connected with the game, whether in small or significant ways, and for the stories shared along the way. Some people expressed how they were going through tough times and found some comfort, however small, in playing 2048.

At the start of last year, I wanted to breathe new life into the game as it was starting to show its age. I quit my job last October to work on 2048 full time and spent a year building this new version (the original took just 5 days!). I wanted to pay tribute to what made 2048 great while modernizing and polishing the experience.

The idea of adding powerups came when Prime Gaming and I connected to see if we could create a special version of 2048 for their members, with some exclusive extras. Some of those powerups made it into the main game, though there’s still a Classic[3] mode just like the original for those who prefer a more hardcore experience. The old site is also still online[4].

2048 is now my full-time focus, and I’m excited about the ways it can keep improving. I wanted to share this update with the community where it all began, both for a bit of nostalgia and to hear your thoughts and feedback!

Thank you all so much!

— Gabriele

[1]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7373566

[2]: https://medium.com/@gabrielecirulli/2048-success-and-me-7dc6...

[3]: https://play2048.co/classic

[4]: https://classic.play2048.co

669 points | 212 commentspage 7
igleria 10/24/2024|
Thank you for the entertainment 2048 gave me years ago, hope your new version has the reach you want!
hankchinaski 10/24/2024||
I used to play this in high school. Great work you did. And I hope things turn out well for you.
rathboma 10/24/2024||
2048 is fantastic, and going full time on your project is a huge milestone. Congrats!
patatino 10/24/2024||
I play it evertime when I watch a tv show. I played it probably 10 thousands time.
ricoche 10/24/2024||
I spent so many hours on this back in Campus, thank you for building 2048
rane 10/24/2024||
How did you do animations for the menus and stuff?
Aardwolf 10/25/2024||
Question: why does it start at 2 instead of at 1?
arduanika 10/30/2024|
The powers of 1 are less interesting.
Aardwolf 10/31/2024||
2^0 is 1. The game doubles the number each time, so starting with two 1s would make a 2. It's weird to start with two 2s making a 4.
MatthewWilkes 10/25/2024||
2048 is a brilliant game, I love it. I understand that it's been used widely (I even saw it on a plane IFE system last month) and that likely didn't generate much ot any income, but the first impression when opening this was a bit dodgy. There are over 700 'partners' you want me to consent to sending data to? Come on, you know that nobody could make an informed decision on that.
darkerside 10/26/2024|
I'm sorry, but that ad placement is really obnoxious. Blocking these cool, new power ups after someone is halfway into a game comes off as a dark pattern, whether it's intentional or not.
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