About DotDuel
DotDuel is a free, quick, two-player strategy game about colouring dots and completing lines, made by an independent developer.
What it is
DotDuel takes the pen-and-paper feel of games like Dots and Boxes and tic-tac-toe and adds one rule that changes everything: when a move completes several lines at once, only the longest scores and the rest wait for whoever claims them first. Games last a few minutes, there's no luck involved, and the rules fit on one screen.
You can play in any modern browser at www.dotduel.com, with no download, and an Android app is on its way to Google Play.
What you can do
- Learn against five bots, from a random-moving Beginner to an Impossible bot that looks two moves ahead.
- Play a friend on the same phone or computer (hot-seat).
- Sign in with Google for ranked online games on a chess clock, a global Elo leaderboard, friends and challenges.
- Try the daily puzzle: the same part-played board for everyone, with a daily leaderboard.
- Choose your language: English, Lithuanian, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish or Czech.
Frequently asked questions
Is DotDuel free?
Yes. Every mode is free, with no purchases inside the game. The website and app show ads on menus and single-player screens to keep it free; ranked online games are ad-free.
Do I need an account?
No. Bots and hot-seat work without signing in, and your progress is saved on your device. You only need to sign in (with Google) for ranked online play, friends and the daily puzzle leaderboard.
How long does a game take?
Usually three to eight minutes. Ranked games use a chess clock of 1, 3 or 5 minutes per player.
How is it different from Dots and Boxes?
Same dot-grid feel, different scoring. DotDuel scores the length of completed lines instead of enclosed boxes, and the "longest line only, the rest wait" rule keeps the endgame tense instead of turning into a forced chain.
Is it like chess?
It borrows chess ideas: both players see everything, there's no luck, ranked games use chess clocks and Elo ratings. But you can learn the rules in two minutes and finish a game in less than ten.
What happens to my data?
Only what the game needs, and analytics or personalised ads only with your consent. The full details are in the privacy policy, including how to download or delete your account.
I found a bug or have an idea.
Write to donstn@gmail.com. Recent changes are listed in the changelog.