World’s largest puzzle launches online

Forget your PlayStation, Wii and iPod - the traditional jigsaw puzzle is back, but with a difference! Today sees the launch of the world's largest online puzzle - called Puzzuka.

Inspired by the jigsaw and tipped to be the next internet phenomenon, the virtual jigsaw consists of 260 million mini puzzles featuring a total of 20 billion pieces. As each mini puzzle is completed, pieces of the final picture will be revealed to players.

According to new research, most of us agree that puzzle-solving is one of the most enduring and satisfying ways of getting a good brain workout. The huge success of portable electronic formats aimed at a younger iPhone generation has enabled the internet to become a more popular source for puzzles than traditional puzzle books. 73% of 16 - 24 year olds now look for puzzles online.

Puzzuka is the brainchild of Joëlle Kuster and André van Rensburg who were inspired by the idea of people from across the globe working together to achieve a common goal. The online puzzle is completely free to use and funds generated from advertisers will be donated towards global charity Enfants du Monde (Children of the World), to support their education-related projects across the world.

André van Rensburg, says, "I thought it would be great if we could use the popularity of puzzle games to bring people together and show just what can be achieved. Having grown up in South Africa, Enfants du Monde's mission to help the world's poorest children and contribute to a more equal world is something very close to my heart."

Carlo Santarelli, General Secretary, Enfants du Monde, adds: "With charities struggling to raise essential funds in the current economic climate, Puzzuka(tm) provides us with a new and innovative way to raise money."

The puzzle game is likely to last between six and eight months, depending upon the speed at which the mini puzzles are completed.

Users can register to play the game at puzzuka.com.