Inspiration
Big Red Bear was inspired by the idea of turning Cornell’s campus into a game. I've noticed that there are many apps online that gameify and add a community aspect to things like studying (Focustown), and improve navigation throughout campus both in person and online (Eatery, BearTrak, etc.) but nothing that gamifies exploring campus itself.
What it does
As of now, Big Red Bear io is a short solo game set on Cornell’s campus. Players enter a bear name, start a three-minute match, and move through a map of Cornell landmarks. At each unlocked location, they check in, eat the location, and gain points and growth.
As the bear grows, larger locations unlock, from statues to cafés, rooms, auditoriums, and full campus buildings. At the end, players see their score, growth progress, locations eaten, and practice leaderboard rank.
How I built it
I built the project with React, TypeScript, Vite, and MapLibre. React handles the interface, TypeScript keeps the game logic organized, and MapLibre powers the Cornell campus map. Using help from AI models, I also used Capacitor to turn the React app into an iOS prototype. The project includes custom bear artwork, mobile-friendly styling, a branded app icon, and a launch screen.
Challenges I ran into
One challenge was making the gameplay clear without making it too complicated. I wanted the player to always know the next step: pick a location, check in, eat it, and keep growing.
Another challenge was handling the timer correctly, especially if the app was paused or reopened. I solved this by tracking the match’s end time instead of only relying on a repeating timer.
Accomplishments that I'm proud of
I’m proud that the game already has a full playable loop. A player can name their bear, start a match, choose landmarks, check in, gain points, grow through stages, and see results at the end.
I’m also proud that it works as both a web app and an iOS prototype, with the map, Cornell landmarks, artwork, and mobile layout all feeling connected.
What I learned
I learned why timers need to track elapsed time rather than just count down, especially when a mobile app runs in the background. I also learned how to build and sync a web app into an iOS app using Capacitor and test it in Xcode’s Simulator
What's next
The next steps I would want to take are:
- I would want to add real GPS check-ins
- User accounts
- Create a live leaderboard that provides a way for different users to compete asynchronously.
- I would change the timers to fit the original intended purpose of multiple-day-long challenges to be played between friend groups.
Long term, Big Red Bear could become a fun way for Cornell students and visitors to explore campus, learn the landmarks, all while competing with each other.
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