sCUBEdiver: a visual analytics tool for discovering optimal 2 × 2 × 2 Rubik’s Cube solution sequences

Abstract In this paper, we present a visual analytics tool and its user evaluation about the optimal solvability of the 2 × 2 × 2 Rubik’s Cube. Information visualization becomes more valuable for games of mental skills because it cannot provide just a single state representation, but the player can overview the whole timeline of a game process with outcomes and compare different strategies interactively. Therefore, we can create new supporting tools for the players for their favorite game activity. Using our dashboard, players can better perceive the distance between their current state and the solution of the 2 × 2 × 2 Rubik’s Cube, and they can compare human-centered and computer-generated solution strategies from an information visualization perspective. Our user evaluation shows that this visualization approach can be attractive for the users even when the presented problem has an advanced mathematical background based on abstract group theory. Graphical abstract