WRD GAME

Inspiration

I was inspired by the power of gamification to make learning fun and rewarding. Seeing how word games like Scrabble engage people, I created WRD GAME—a competitive app where players learn new words, challenge others, and earn real cash rewards (up to 20kr for 10 words). The idea of blending education with monetary incentives, especially with today’s demand for engaging edutainment, drove me to build something unique as of May 31, 2025.

What it does

WRD GAME offers instant player matchups for word-based challenges, where users test their vocabulary, earn points, and redeem cash rewards. It features a leaderboard, user profiles, and an inclusive design with keyboard navigation and screen reader support, making learning both competitive and accessible.

How we built it

I developed WRD GAME using a React frontend from a prior course, paired with a Node.js and Express.js backend. I implemented a RESTful API with CRUD operations (GET, POST, DELETE, PUT) and MongoDB for data storage. Security was ensured with JWT authentication and input sanitization, while performance was optimized with compressed assets and Lighthouse audits. Google Tag Manager tracks playtime with GDPR-compliant consent prompts.

Challenges we ran into

Balancing performance and security was tough, especially with initial slow database queries—fixed by indexing. Real-time player matching proved complex, so I simplified it. Accessibility testing revealed UI gaps (e.g., missing ARIA labels), which required iterative fixes under tight deadlines.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

What we learned

I mastered backend development, API design, and optimization techniques. The process taught me Agile adaptability, security best practices (e.g., preventing XSS), and the importance of user feedback for accessibility, shaping me as a well-rounded developer.

What's next for WRD GAME

Next, I plan to add real-time multiplayer via WebSockets, expand language support (e.g., Swedish, Spanish), and integrate a mobile app. Partnerships with educational platforms and a larger reward pool could scale WRD GAME into a global hit by summer/fall 2025.

Built With

• clerk
• express.js
• input-sanitization
• javascript
• jwt-authentication
• lighthouse
• mongodb
• node.js
• postman
• react
• react-native
• typescript