8-SIDEQUEST

Discover, Explore, Level Up!

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Inspiration

The SideQuest team came up with this idea because, as travelers—whether locally or internationally—we’ve all had different experiences. But what did we have in common?

For locals, using Google Maps is great for getting an ETA, but it doesn’t consider the fun stops along the way—unless you already know them and manually add each one yourself.

For tourists, visiting Jamaica should feel like an adventure. Too often, visitors miss out on the real culture, stuck in resorts, unsure where to go, or falling into overpriced tourist traps.

We set out to change that. SideQuest makes exploring exciting by gamifying travel—turning hidden gems and must-see stops into a real-world adventure.

What It Does

SIDEQUEST is an interactive travel app that transforms trips into gamified experiences. Travelers earn points by completing quests and challenges, exploring curated locations, and stepping outside of their comfort zones.

Core Features:

Find Hidden Gems – Discover local favorites beyond the tourist traps.
Complete Challenges – Earn XP for visiting locations and completing unique tasks.
AI-Powered Travel Recommendations – Get real-time suggestions based on your interests.

How We Built It

SIDEQUEST was developed using a tech stack that balances flexibility, scalability, and performance:

  • Frontend: Flutter
  • Backend: JavaScript, Node.js
  • Database: PostgreSQL
  • APIs & Maps/Routing: Google Maps API, ChatGPT API, OpenRouteService
  • Design Tools: Figma, StorySet, Dribble, Pinterest, LottieFiles, IconFinder -** Cloud and CI/CD:** Github Actions and Google Cloud Storage Buckets and Triggers.

Challenges We Faced

We aimed high for this hackathon, but we ran into unexpected hurdles early on:

  • Backend Dependencies: Integrating our backend with the frontend proved more difficult than expected, leading to delays.
  • React Native Issues: We initially considered using React Native, but strict TypeScript requirements caused rendering and routing problems.
  • Time Management: We had a solid plan, but underestimated the scope of what we could build in time.

How We Adapted

Rather than changing our idea, we changed our approach.

  • We pivoted. Instead of struggling with React Native, we switched to Flutter, which allowed us to move faster.
  • We stayed flexible. We purchased the ChatGPT API to enhance our recommendation system when our initial model wasn’t efficient.
  • We focused on impact. Instead of trying to build everything, we prioritized AI-powered recommendations and routing, making the best use of our limited time.

Accomplishments We’re Proud Of

  • We actually stayed up ALL night trying finish SideQuest.
  • We bounced back from setback after setback - even when failure seemed inevitable.
  • We made tough calls but still took away valuable lessons from different tech stacks.
  • We had fun designing, iterating, and bringing our gamified vision to life.
  • For our first-ever hackathon, we think we did pretty well.

What We Learned

  • Tech is cool, but teamwork is everything. We found a community in this hackathon, learning from other teams’ struggles and solutions.
  • Each of us specialized in different areas, and that knowledge was shared across the team.
  • Execution matters more than ideas. A great concept means nothing if it’s not built in time.
  • Adaptability is key. Plans will change, and that’s okay—as long as you can pivot.

What’s Next for SideQuest?

This hackathon was just the beginning. We believe SideQuest has real potential, and we plan to take it even further:

  • Expand the location database with more user-submitted challenges and insights.
  • Partner with tourist organization & local businesses for exclusive rewards.
  • Market research to truly understand real pinpoints and user behaviours for an even better experience.
  • Introduce group quests & social features—travel with friends, compare progress, and share your journey.
  • Optimize AI recommendations for even smarter, more personalized experiences.
    …and much more.

We built this project because we believe travel should feel like an adventure, not just a trip. And we’re excited to see how SideQuest evolves beyond the hackathon.

Sincerely, The Sidequest Team Discover, Explore, Earn XP

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