Inspiration
We wanted to build something more than just a website — an experience that feels alive. The idea of “Cursed Code” came from blending glitch art, horror storytelling, and interactive web design to make users feel like their device itself is haunted.
What it does
Creates a spooky, glitch-filled interface that distorts text and visuals.
Responds to user actions (keyboard presses, clicks) with creepy effects.
Features a haunted “mirror” mode using the webcam, occasionally overlaying ghostly figures.
Escalates the curse over time — more glitches, distorted whispers in the console, and sudden jump-scares.
How we built it
Frontend: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for glitch animations, interactive triggers, and haunted UI.
Webcam Effects: WebRTC for camera access with layered CSS effects and ghost overlays.
Design: Custom glitch fonts, dark mode aesthetics, flickering effects, and creepy ambient visuals.
Sound & Interaction: Randomized text whispers and escalating “curse levels” hidden in the console logs.
Challenges we ran into
Getting the webcam to work consistently across browsers while maintaining spooky overlays.
Balancing “scary” vs “fun” — we wanted it to be creepy without being too overwhelming.
Timing the curse progression so it escalates naturally without breaking the experience.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
Built a fully interactive horror experience with just frontend technologies.
Designed glitch animations and event triggers that really feel unsettling.
Managed to create a project that feels like a “haunted website” — something unusual and memorable.
What we learned
How to use browser APIs like WebRTC for creative, non-traditional projects.
Techniques for glitch effects in CSS and JavaScript.
The power of combining design, sound, and interactivity to tell a story — not just show content.
What's next for Cursed Code: The Haunted Web
Adding multiplayer haunting — where two people can join the same cursed session and experience synced events.
Expanding with AI-generated whispers or ghost messages that adapt to the user’s interactions.
Hosting it live as a Halloween event so anyone can “visit the haunted site.”
Extending the curse to mobile devices with vibrations and unexpected notifications.
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