Stop! Game

Table of Contents

1. Overview
2. Key Features
3. Role
4. Goal
5. Challenges and Learnings
6. Final Thoughts

Overview

Stop! Game is a real-time, multiplayer word game built with React Native (Expo) on the front end and Node.js + MongoDB on the back end. Players can register with email or Google, play as guests, create or join rooms, chat globally, and compete on leaderboards. The app focuses on smooth real-time sync, fair validation, and a polished cross-platform experience across mobile, web, and tablet layouts.

Visit the Game Website: https://playstop.xyz

Visit the Game at Itch.io: https://tenubar.itch.io/stop-the-game

Key Features

1. Real-time Multiplayer: Socket.IO rooms for live gameplay, lobbies, and chat.
2. Authentication + Guests: JWT auth with email verification, Google OAuth, and guest sessions.
3. Leaderboards: Global, weekly, and friends rankings.
4. Premium Access: One-time payment unlock with Stripe and PayPal support.
5. AI Validation: OpenAI-assisted answer validation with fallback rules and resync logic.
6. Cross-Platform UI: Responsive layouts for mobile, web, and tablets with fixed action footers.

Role

Lead Developer

Goal

1. Build a reliable, real-time multiplayer word game with a smooth round flow.
2. Deliver a polished cross-platform UI that scales to mobile, web, and tablet.
3. Support growth with premium access, leaderboards, and safe validation.

Challenges and Learnings

1. Real-time Sync: Preventing missed STOP/round-end events required resync and validation retries.
2. Session Safety: Handling reconnects, duplicate sessions, and background disconnects to avoid ghost players.
3. Language Enforcement: Room-level language consistency across gameplay and AI validation.

Final Thoughts

1. Gameplay First: Fast, clear gameplay flows are critical for multiplayer retention.
2. Continuous Improvement: We keep refining validation, UI polish, and reliability as the game grows.