---
key: mechanic/puzzle--family-dexterity
type: mechanic
id: puzzle--family-dexterity
lang: en
title: Physics-accurate puzzles
summary: >-
  The player combines a discovered solution with precise control of continuous
  movement.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/puzzle--family-dexterity/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/puzzle--family-dexterity.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/puzzle--family-dexterity.md
aliases:
  - Puzzles with precise execution
tags:
  - Puzzles
  - Mechanics catalog
sourceIds:
  - source-8a3a7e105b6c798e
sources:
  - id: source-8a3a7e105b6c798e
    title: Portal
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/400/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: puzzle
    id: family-dexterity
    title: Puzzles
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/puzzle/#family-dexterity'
    categoryIds:
      - section-1
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Puzzles with precise execution
    description: >-
      The player combines a discovered solution with precise control of
      continuous movement.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/adventure-portal-07.webp
      width: 1440
      height: 1080
      game: Portal
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/400/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/400/ss_25aa95176ac6319fad955b31554451f3ea61f1e8.1920x1080.jpg?t=1745368554
      credit: Valve
      rights: >-
        Game imagery © its respective rights holders. Publisher-distributed
        Steam screenshot; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.
      caption: Carrying a cube requires precise spatial control
      alt: Carrying a cube requires precise spatial control
      markers:
        - x: 24
          'y': 68
          label: The carried cube’s position depends on player control
    tips:
      - Separate understanding the solution from difficulty in executing it.
    examples:
      - title: Portal
        url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/400/'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on
  2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are
  preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire
  classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and
  editorial review.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/puzzle
---
# Physics-accurate puzzles

id: puzzle--family-dexterity
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/puzzle--family-dexterity
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/puzzle--family-dexterity/

The player combines a discovered solution with precise control of continuous movement.

## At a glance

![Carrying a cube requires precise spatial control](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/adventure-portal-07.webp)

[Portal](https://store.steampowered.com/app/400/) · Game imagery © its respective rights holders. Publisher-distributed Steam screenshot; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.

1. The carried cube’s position depends on player control

- Separate understanding the solution from difficulty in executing it.

- [Portal](https://store.steampowered.com/app/400/)

## How it works

Combine the found solution with continuous motion control.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-dexterity-variants"></a>

- Tilting maze. Definition: Direct the ball by changing the slope, taking into account inertia and holes. Conditional example: Roll the ball towards the exit past the gaps. <a id="variant-tilt-maze"></a>
- Dynamic balance maintenance. Definition: Constantly compensate for deviations while maintaining a given position. Conditional example: Keep a ball on a moving platform. <a id="variant-steady-balance"></a>
- Extraction through a narrow gap. Definition: Pass an object along an acceptable path without unacceptable contact. Conditional example: Reach a shaped part through a narrow passage. <a id="variant-precision-extraction"></a>
- The exact moment of release. Definition: Select the phase of movement for the object to transition to the required trajectory. Conditional example: Release the load from the rotating arm above the receiver. <a id="variant-timed-release"></a>
- Independent axis control. Definition: To coordinate several continuous inputs for one route. Conventional example: To move the pointer with two separate controls. <a id="variant-coordinated-hands"></a>
- Precise placement and styling. Definition: Place unstable objects taking into account acceptable support. Conditional example: Build a stable tower from uneven parts. <a id="variant-precision-placement"></a>

## Context and limits

A wide catalog of mechanics for digital puzzles, paper logic problems and physical puzzles. Each position contains an action or rule and a conditional example of application.

## Connected materials


## Sources and provenance

Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.

- [Portal](https://store.steampowered.com/app/400/) (id: source-8a3a7e105b6c798e)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors