Squinql

Generating the initial line
Join/host screen
Host screen
Name select
Join screen

Inspiration

We were inspired by existing online icebreaker games like Gartic Phone, whose goal is to serve as an easily accessible online game that brings people together. Squinql is meant to be a similar experience that just makes a little less sense!

What it does

The way you play Squinql is sqiumple! In the first round of the game, each player writes down a word. This word is then converted by the game into a Squanq, a strange line segment generated based on the letters provided. From there, each player is randomly assigned a Squanq that they did not make, and have to attempt to create a Squinq - a coherent drawing. Players are then presented with each of their drawings alongside the words that prompted them, allowing everyone to explore each others' art!

How we built it

Squinql is built on a VueJS frontend with a backend built with Socket.io and styling done using Tailwind CSS.

Challenges we ran into

The biggest challenge that we ran into was balancing ambition with the time constraint and limited manpower in our team. Squinql originally had quite a few more features planned, such as the ability to deliberately amplify the way that certain characters impacted the line produced, word validation to make sure that people didn't just character spam, a bunch of micro-interactions, and a feature known as the Squagl - a random sequence of characters that would cause something random to happen if included in the final word. In the end, though, we simply didn't manage our limited resources well enough to make everything happen. We also had many issues with Vue and TypeScript. One of our developers was used to using them but the other was stalled by beginner issues.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

The line generation system works well enough, and the UI is stunning. We're also quite proud of the concept since we think it's pretty funny and has potential with more time given to it.

What we learned

We learned a lot about the SVG format and how to use Socket.io to create a multiplayer experience.

What's next for Squinql

We hope to add some much-needed polish in the form of cool sound effects and a better gameplay experience. Also, we hope we can add more excitement around the core gameplay of line generation.

Overall we think this was a fun idea and allowed us to gain some experience in areas that we had little experience with before,