Every once in a while, a game comes along that transcends its medium. It stops being just a pastime and instead becomes a testament to ingenuity, persistence, and the human spirit. Q-Less, the crossword solitaire game from 80-something-year-old inventor and TikTok savant Tom Sturdevant, is one such game.
This isn’t Sturdevant’s first foray into the world of games—he’s been crafting brainy diversions for decades, including the wildly successful Blockbuster Movie Game, which graced the shelves of every Blockbuster location back when the video rental giant ruled the world. But while many might coast on a legacy like that, Sturdevant has never been one to rest on his laurels. Instead, he’s turned his twilight years into a creative renaissance, using TikTok to bring Q-Less to the masses. And the masses are showing up. With over 100,000 followers and an astonishing streak of 1,180 daily uploads (and counting, at the time of writing this), Sturdevant has proven that age is no barrier to innovation—or virality.
At first glance, Q-Less might seem unassuming. Packaged in a pocket-sized tin, it consists of lettered dice, a scoring grid, and the promise of hours of word-building fun. But simplicity is its secret weapon. While modern games often drown in complexity, Q-Less strips everything down to its essentials: roll the dice, build words, and stretch your brain. It’s a game that rewards strategy, creativity, and a willingness to take risks—a rare trifecta in today’s cluttered game market.
What truly sets Q-Less apart, though, is its versatility. It’s accessible to players of all ages, whether you’re a young wordsmith flexing your vocabulary or a retiree looking to keep your mind sharp. Unlike Scrabble, which can devolve into cutthroat competition, or Boggle, which feels like a race against the clock, Q-Less offers a more meditative, solo experience. You’re not just playing a game—you’re engaging in a dialogue with yourself, finding words you didn’t know you knew and puzzling through the grid with quiet determination.
Sturdevant’s genius lies not only in the mechanics of the game but in how he’s positioned it for the 21st century. The TikTok generation has embraced Q-Less with a fervor rarely seen in the tabletop world, drawn in by Sturdevant’s daily uploads that blend gameplay tips, personal anecdotes, and infectious enthusiasm. The result? A game that feels both timeless and utterly of the moment.
And for those of us who remember the golden era of board games, Q-Less carries a certain nostalgia. It’s a reminder of what games used to be: tactile, thoughtful, and deeply human. Yet it’s also undeniably forward-thinking. The digital version of Q-Less, available on Apple and Android, brings the same addictive gameplay to your phone, making it easier than ever to sneak in a round (or 10).
Sturdevant’s story is just as inspiring as the game itself. A former foreign service officer, filmmaker, and farmer, he proves that reinvention is possible at any age. His unshakable creativity is evident in every roll of the dice, every perfectly crafted TikTok, and every satisfied grin from a player who’s just cracked the perfect word.
Simply put, Q-Less is a masterpiece. It’s more than a game—it’s a testament to the enduring power of ingenuity and the idea that no matter your age, there’s always room to create something extraordinary. Tom Sturdevant didn’t just make a game; he built a legacy.
Kim Muncie
