I started out wanting to create my own cryptogram puzzle game because I’ve always loved word games, and I’ve actually seen decent success with them in the past. In the Word category, one of the top titles is a cryptogram app—there are a bunch of these, but the basic idea is that you get a phrase or quote, and each letter is swapped out with some random symbol or number. You have to figure out each letter by looking at word patterns, testing letters, and gradually filling in all the blanks. I noticed how popular that puzzle mechanic was and decided to see if I could build my own version that might stand out enough to bring in some revenue.
It wasn’t easy, especially with the custom layout for the letters and keyboard navigation. I had attempted something similar about six to twelve months ago with older AI models, but it got pretty complicated under the hood. Every time you fill in a letter, the cursor needs to move correctly, and the interface should keep track of which letters are solved or not. The code was mostly AI-generated, but I had to tinker with it endlessly to get it to function the way I wanted.
Then ChatGPT announced the new o1 Pro model, and I decided to give it a try. I pasted in my web version code, and the AI chewed on it for about five to ten minutes. What came out was an almost working SwiftUI codebase on the first attempt. I was blown away—none of the other models had come close to that kind of accuracy. That moment really got me thinking: if the AI could do this, how many other apps could it help me create, and how quickly? So after building that cryptogram app, I moved on to a flashcards app. With two projects under my belt in just a couple of weeks, I realized there was serious potential here. Fast-forward to now, and I’ve published ten apps, all sparked by that initial success. I can’t wait to see what else is possible.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cryptogram-christmas-puzzles/id6739426020
Jake
52 Apps in 52 Weeks 
Leave a comment