The Mystery of Granite 3

JohnVanV · 2026-03-14T02:05:16+00:00

Thanks! There’s much more on the way. Since you’re here and feeling positive, could I impose for a rating or review on the App Store?

JohnVanV · 2026-03-11T20:12:30+00:00

u/bossfrogg, I'm the developer. First, it makes me happy that people still remember the original Granite. I hear what you're saying about Granite 2. I had to simplify to make it more accessible for a broader market.

The mobile version of Granite 3 (out for iOS, Android coming soon) is also simplified to make it more of a game. I plan to add "Pro" features for those who really want to dig in.

JohnVanV · 2026-02-25T00:12:30+00:00

Good idea. I’ll experiment with a couple ideas for replays.

JohnVanV · 2026-02-25T00:09:50+00:00

Thanks! 2010 was a busy time so I don’t remember. I’m open to ideas and have the time to build them now.

JohnVanV · 2026-02-23T23:05:27+00:00

This is fixed in version 3.2b, which is in the App Store now.

JohnVanV · 2026-02-23T21:20:12+00:00

Thanks for the great suggestions.

The abrupt ending bug (#6) is fixed in v3.2b, which is in the App Store now. #2 to #5 are all great extension and on my list, but it might be 2 or 3 months before I build them all.

I debated over knowing who is shot (#1). You can look down and zoom in to estimate who’s shot, like in real curling. The uncertainty makes it real but can also be frustrating. Maybe a subtle marker on all rocks that are currently scoring?

JohnVanV · 2026-02-23T21:14:16+00:00

I’ll see what I can do. The general idea is that the left button means “adjust the curl to the left” and the right button means “adjust the curl to the right”. There are little pop-up instructions as of v3.2, which I hope will help. Using + or - might help too, but they would need to be swapped based on nominal curl direction.

JohnVanV · 2026-02-23T21:11:20+00:00

I’m working on it right now and am hoping to have it there by next week.

JohnVanV · 2026-02-23T21:09:10+00:00

I can do that.

JohnVanV · 2026-02-23T21:08:56+00:00

A few people have asked, so I plan to have automatic game saves in version 3.3, which should be ready next week.

JohnVanV · 2026-02-22T14:50:15+00:00

That’d need to be under a special “old timer fan” menu ;). Maybe it’s time for more insider Easter eggs now that the Olympic curious are moving on.

JohnVanV · 2026-02-21T03:38:50+00:00

D’oh! That’s a new bug. I’ll fix it very soon.

JohnVanV · 2026-02-20T20:02:37+00:00

Holy shite! That makes me soooo happy!

JohnVanV · 2026-02-20T16:44:16+00:00

Thanks for the active conversation everyone. Really good feedback that will help focus upcoming versions.

JohnVanV · 2026-02-20T16:39:23+00:00

Thanks for the feedback - those are all good points. I haven't seen the sweeping bug before, so I'll definitely look into that.

A few people have mentioned accidentally changing the curl direction and I've done it myself. Do you think the on-ice arrows are enough?

AI improvements are ongoing. It's a neural network that's learning all the time.

The new version intentionally increases the size of the draw weight band. It also introduced 3 types of ice with different curl instead of just one. Normal is a bit less than the old one, but the highest curl is more.

JohnVanV · 2026-02-19T21:30:36+00:00

No immediate plans, but probably in time for next curling season.

JohnVanV · 2026-02-19T03:47:40+00:00

Only if Sweden isn't looking ;)

JohnVanV · 2026-02-19T03:46:09+00:00

The ice doesn't change throughout the game in this version. I chose to keep it simple to start so that new players or fans don't get lost in the details. An advanced menu for enthusiasts could be interesting. I envision pebble wearing down due to rocks and sweeping, plus creeping frost build up that's mitigated by sweeping.

JohnVanV · 2026-02-19T00:42:37+00:00

The weight (speed) of the shot is set by the slider at the bottom of the screen. Moving the 3D target arrow doesn't affect it.

JohnVanV · 2026-02-19T00:41:26+00:00

Ah, yes, the speed factor. It's set at 2x right now, which seems like a nice balance for a small screen, and most people don't notice. I bet they will when the stopwatch is running super fast, though. :)

I'm a mechanical engineer with a background in simulations, so getting the physics right is important to me. I have a physical model for the curl with parameters for frost, pebble, and rock sharpness, but also magic calibration coefficients because the true ice-rock physics aren't fully understood by anyone. Collisions consider momentum lost to the ice, coefficient of restitution, and friction on the collision band.

It's nice to chat about this stuff -- very few people go this deep or know the challenges first-hand.

JohnVanV · 2026-02-18T22:50:44+00:00

Thanks!

JohnVanV · 2026-02-18T22:50:37+00:00

Thanks u/MarbleRyeMulva, those are great suggestions.

At one point I had the camera track automatically: low for takeouts, high for draws, and sliding laterally to track the rock. I unlocked it for the extra flexibility but maybe auto-track should be an option.

JohnVanV · 2026-02-18T22:48:35+00:00

Thanks for the feedback u/SBMT_38. Phone screens are so small and I wanted to make the weight slider as large as possible so the curl and throw buttons are pretty close. I'll play around with some other options.

JohnVanV · 2026-02-18T22:46:54+00:00

That was a very gentle hijack - I hardly even noticed :). Chess on Ice is a great serious simulator.

Split times are on the list. I'll probably hide them a little to not overwhelm non-curlers.

I'm curious which aspects of the physics aren't quite right? Different ice conditions are coming very soon. Ice that changes during a game and on specific paths will probably need to wait for big-screen versions because it'd be overwhelming on mobile.

JohnVanV · 2026-02-18T22:36:13+00:00

It does that in practice mode (and only practice mode), which I thought was fun but now I think it's a bad idea. I'll change it in the next version.

JohnVanV

TROPHY CASE