Simon guide

Rules

Four pads — circle, triangle, square, star — each with a colour and an icon. A round:

Shows a sequence of pads one at a time.
Waits for the player to repeat the sequence from the start.
Grows by one pad per successful round.
Ends on the first wrong pad, or completes at 12 pads.

There is no timer while you decide. The shown sequence is the only information.

Calm pattern (reduced-motion alternative)

The Calm pattern checkbox changes presentation only:

Standard: pads flash with colour; audio tones play.
Calm: the active pad holds a static (non-flashing) highlight, the sequence is announced by pad name (“Watch: triangle”), and the pause between pads is longer.

The sequence, length, and win condition are identical. Calm pattern is for people who prefer no flashing or who use screen readers; it is not an easier mode.

Controls

Action	Pointer / touch	Keyboard	Notes
Start	Start pattern button	Enter on the button	Generates round 1
Repeat	Tap a pad	Tab into pads + Enter / Space	Wrong pad ends the run
Calm pattern	Checkbox	Space on the checkbox	Preference saved locally
New run	Try again / New game	Toolbar shortcut	Same rules, new sequence

What helps

Name the pads aloud as they show. “Circle, star, triangle” creates a verbal chain that is easier to hold than colour positions.
Chunk in twos and threes. The moment a wrong pad is not required, the remaining sequence is already familiar — chunking turns a 12-pad run into four 3-pad chunks.
Use Calm pattern when the flash breaks concentration. Static highlights and longer gaps make the sequence easier to follow without changing its difficulty.

What NoCharge records

nocharge:simon:best-length — longest sequence fully remembered in this browser.
nocharge:pref:simon-calm — whether Calm pattern is on.

Accessibility and limits

Each pad is a labeled button (colour + icon + name), the status line announces the expected pad during input, and the result card restates the run length. Colour alone is never the state. NoCharge makes no claim about memory training or cognitive benefit; the target of 12 is an editorial length, and “best remembered” is a local metric, not a score.

Next step

Play one run with Calm pattern on, then try without it. Memory Match is the other memory title today; both games keep their best results locally and the untimed collection lists them together.

Frequently asked questions about Simon

How do I play Simon?

Sequence rules, the 12-pad target, how Calm pattern changes presentation without changing rules, and the local best-length metric.

Does Simon need an account?

No. The game opens without an account, and NoCharge does not provide cloud profiles or synchronized saves.

What controls does Simon support?

Watch: The pads highlight one at a time. In Calm pattern the same sequence is announced by pad name instead of flashing. Repeat: Tap or click the pads in order; keyboard users Tab to the pads and press Enter or Space. Calm pattern: A checkbox in the HUD. Static highlights, spoken names, longer gaps — the rules stay identical. Target: The run completes at 12 pads. There is no timer while you decide.

Where does Simon keep saved results?

Any result or preference the game retains is stored in local storage in this browser. The exact value differs by game, does not synchronize, and can be removed with Clear game data.

What happens if I switch tabs while playing Simon?

The shared game shell pauses while the page is hidden and stops ambient audio. Returning removes the hidden-page pause, but a manual pause remains in place.

How do I restart Simon?

Use New game in the shared toolbar or settings panel. Restarting this game does not clear saved results from other games.

Is Simon timed?

The listed session is 2–5 min. Read the timing and scoring sections in this guide because modes within a game can behave differently.

How do sound and ambient controls work in Simon?

Master mute silences effects and ambient audio. Effects on/off changes game effects only, and the volume control also adjusts an active ambient texture.