Diffuse or Lose

Inspiration

Many multiplayer games require multiple devices or complicated setups, which makes them harder to play casually with friends. We were inspired by the collaborative tension of games like Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, where communication and teamwork are essential. We wanted to recreate that same excitement in a simpler, more accessible mobile format where a group of friends can play together using just one phone.

Our goal was to design a game that encourages communication, quick thinking, and social interaction, turning a single device into a chaotic and fun multiplayer experience.

What it does

Our project is a mobile party game where players work together to defuse a bomb before time runs out.

Players take turns passing the phone. Each player sees different pieces of information or rules that help solve the bomb puzzle, but no single player has all the answers. Because of this, players must communicate with each other to determine the correct actions to take.

The bomb contains different modules (such as wires, switches, or codes), and players must figure out the correct sequence to solve them before the timer reaches zero.

How we built it

We built the project using a React-based frontend to create the mobile interface and interactive gameplay screens. The app was developed and tested using Expo Go, which allowed us to quickly prototype and run the mobile experience during the hackathon.

The game logic and puzzle system were implemented in a C++ backend, which handles the bomb modules, rule generation, and puzzle validation. This backend is responsible for generating randomized scenarios and ensuring that each player receives different clues needed to solve the bomb.

We then connected the frontend and backend so the mobile interface could dynamically display player roles, instructions, and puzzle states while maintaining a smooth gameplay experience.

Challenges we ran into

One challenge was designing puzzles that required collaboration while still being quick and easy for players to understand.

Another challenge was ensuring clean integration between the C++ backend and the React frontend. Coordinating the game logic with the mobile interface required careful structuring so that player information, puzzle states, and timing mechanics updated correctly during the game.

We also had to iterate on the user interface to make sure the experience remained clear and intuitive, since players only see their own clues and must rely on communication to solve the bomb.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We're proud that we were able to create a social multiplayer experience using only one phone! The game successfully encourages players to talk, strategize, and react quickly under pressure.

We also designed a full player flow including player roles, clue reveals, and bomb interaction screens, making the gameplay intuitive and engaging.