[S2] - Hack and Match

Logo

Inspiration

Hatch and Match draws inspiration from multiplayer treasure hunt games, but with a twist—players must complete two parallel objectives. One player protects a dragon egg, while the other aims to destroy it. This blend of competitive puzzle-solving and immersive mixed-reality gameplay adds a fresh take on traditional multiplayer games, making players think creatively while solving clues.

What it does

Hatch and Match is a two-player, open-world, mixed-reality game where players take on the roles of either a warrior from the mystical land or a guardian in charge of protecting the egg. The warrior must break a dragon egg, while the guardian must protect it. Players follow clues hidden in the environment, gather objects, and cast spells to complete their respective goals. Whoever collects the clues and completes their mission first wins the game.

How we built it

We built Hatch and Match using Mixed Reality (MR) technology, leveraging Meta Interaction SDK, MR Utility kit (scene API), and virtual avatars to create immersive interactions such as hand tracking and object manipulation. We incorporated MR-to-VR transitions (portals) for exploring clues and collecting items, adding depth to the gameplay. Dynamic room scanning allows for the adaptive placement of objects based on real-world environments.

Challenges we ran into

One of the major challenges was ensuring seamless collocation where the two players could be positioned at the same time and start the game simultaneously. Another challenge was balancing the two distinct roles to make both gameplay experiences equally engaging, while also creating interactions that are unique to MR such as viewpoint perspective and pose interactions.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re proud of creating an immersive, mixed-reality experience that combines both competitive elements. The dynamic room scanning and object placement enhance replayability, while the seamless hand-tracking and interaction mechanics push the boundaries of what mixed-reality gaming can achieve. Also, working on the transition between MR and VR through portals enabled us to explore cross-reality transitions in practice.

What we learned

We learned how to effectively integrate MR to enhance user interaction. Building intuitive gameplay mechanics such as hand gestures and object manipulation deepened our understanding of how to design for mixed-reality environments, making it engaging and accessible for players of all levels. We learned the combination of several frameworks such as ShapesXR, Photon Fusion, Meta SDK as well as collaborative tools to put together different skill sets in record time like Trello, Miro, Figma.

What's next for Hatch and Match

In the future, Hatch and Match will evolve into a more dynamic and replayable experience. Players will navigate a mystical environment where a glowing dinosaur egg is the focal point, with sparkles and sound cues guiding them through hidden tasks. Each player will take on the role of either the Guardian, protecting the egg, or the Warrior, attempting to destroy it.

As players progress, they’ll need to solve AI-generated riddles, collect objects like the Crystal Ball or Hammer, and remember unique spells that change with each game. Failure to solve puzzles results in cracks on the egg for the Guardian or setbacks in progress for the Warrior. Some tasks can change the opponent’s spell or reduce their time limit, adding more strategic depth. The game’s immersive MR-to-VR transitions and object-based puzzles add variety, ensuring each session feels fresh.

We plan to expand this into a recurring experience, adding new spells, puzzles, and strategies to keep players coming back. With ongoing challenges and dynamic gameplay, Hatch and Match will continue to evolve into an engaging experience for repeat play.