Irokoh - A Game of Knowledge and Time.

Irokoh turns history into a race. Forget boring questions; compete to sort 5 related items into the correct order, choosing from pre-set categories or creating your own unique topics.

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Inspiration

For over five years, I have dreamed of creating this game—a virtual and accessible way to test historical knowledge. While it may seem simple at first glance, Irokoh demands sharp attention and broad knowledge across selected topics. I have a deep love for general trivia, ranging from scientific questions like “Why is the Earth’s axis tilted?” to tech history, such as “When did Google acquire YouTube?” This project is the true embodiment of my “nerd” side, transforming my passion for random facts into a structured and engaging challenge.

The Meaning Behind the Name

The name Irokoh pays homage to Iroko, the deity of knowledge and time in Afro-Brazilian religions. Often seen as an equivalent to figures like Athena and Chronos in Greek and Nordic mythologies, Iroko is represented by a sacred tree. This symbolism embodies the core philosophy of the game: just as a tree, everything in existence has a root of beginning, and every branch of growth has its own specific time.

What it does

Irokoh is a puzzle game designed to test players’ understanding of time and history. Users can choose from 16 pre-selected categories, regionalized by country, or leverage the power of Generative AI to create their own unique timelines—whether it’s “K-Pop History” or “French Cinema.” The objective is to reconstruct the correct chronological order of events without seeing the dates. Irokoh is a tool for infinite curiosity, allowing players to generate and explore virtually any topic they can imagine.

How we built it

The entire project was orchestrated using Google AI Studio. While I relied on my technical background to ensure high code quality, strong performance, and a smooth user experience, the efficiency of AI Studio proved to be the true game-changer. It acted as a force multiplier, enabling me to rapidly build a complex, content-rich application while maintaining robust architectural standards.

Challenges we ran into

We encountered three main technical challenges:

  • API Latency: Managing Gemini API response times—sometimes exceeding 15 seconds—required implementing intelligent loading states to keep users engaged.
  • Strict Standards: Applying rigorous engineering practices such as unit testing, internationalization (i18n), and accessibility (WCAG compliance) within a limited timeframe was demanding.
  • Infrastructure: Configuring a custom DNS integration within the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) console proved to be a bit unintuitive.

Accomplishments that we’re proud of

I am particularly proud of the speed of delivery and the rapid iteration cycle. Being able to implement improvements within minutes—and directly leverage suggestions from AI Studio—resulted in a highly polished final product. The seamless integration of the Cinzel typography with dynamic AI-generated content stands out as a major aesthetic and functional success.

What we learned

This project taught me how to push beyond a simple MVP in a very short time. Beyond the architectural validation, I gained deep technical expertise in three key areas:

  • Prompt Engineering: Mastering the art of prompt optimization to ensure Gemini returns consistent, high-quality, and structured data for the game logic.
  • Native Web Capabilities: Implementing audio feedback directly through the browser using native APIs, removing the need for heavy external libraries.
  • Advanced Accessibility: Deepening my understanding of high-contrast colour theory and semantic HTML tags to ensure the application meets strict A11y standards without compromising the premium aesthetic.

What’s next for Irokoh – A Game of Knowledge and Time

Our roadmap focuses on scalability, user retention, and new ways to play:

  • Mobile App Development: Launching native Android and iOS versions to bring the experience on the go.
  • Performance Optimization: Introducing a database to cache frequently requested topics, significantly reducing load times.
  • Gamification: Adding global rankings and competitive leaderboards.

  • Monetization plan:

    1. Daily Challenge (free)
    2. Premium AI custom timelines
    3. Subscription for:
      • Unlimited AI generations
      • Advanced categories
    4. Classroom Mode licensing
    5. Built in multi-platform like YouTube Playables
    6. Ads

  • Multiplayer “Duel” Mode: Real-time 1v1 matches where players compete to solve the same timeline faster than their opponent.

  • Daily Challenge: A curated “Timeline of the Day” (Wordle-style), shared globally to encourage daily engagement and social sharing.

  • Classroom Mode: A dedicated mode for educators to generate custom timelines for history or science lessons.

Special thanks to my friend Renan Lopes, who helped me with the Video demo! ❤️

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