Mystery Frame

Inspiration

Scrolling through Reddit, we noticed how much people love interactive, community-driven guessing games (like "Guess the Place" or "Who's That Pokémon?"). We wanted to build something that keeps users coming back, creates suspense, and blends pop culture with Reddit's community energy. That's how Mystery Frame was born.

What it does

Starts with a heavily blurred celebrity photo.
Every 30 minutes, the image gets progressively clearer.
Players submit guesses anytime during the 2-hour window.
Correct guesses are validated with fuzzy-matching (e.g., "Cruise" matches "Tom Cruise").
At the end of 2 hours, the final reveal + winners list is displayed.
Works natively inside Reddit using the Devvit platform—no external app needed.

How we built it

Frontend: React + TypeScript + Tailwind CSS for a clean, responsive UI.
Backend / Hosting: Reddit's Devvit platform for seamless subreddit integration.
State Management: Custom React hooks with auto-refresh logic for real-time updates.
Smart Guess Checking: Fuzzy string-matching library for flexible name recognition.
Timers: A synchronized countdown system ensuring all users see phase transitions at the same time.

Challenges we ran into

Handling fuzzy name matching while avoiding false positives.
Designing a UI that feels native to Reddit but still looks like a modern game.
Balancing between fun gameplay and technical feasibility.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Built a fully interactive game inside Reddit using Devvit.
Implemented progressive image reveals that auto-update without page refreshes.
Created a smooth mobile experience, ensuring accessibility for all Redditors.
Delivered a concept that encourages community participation and repeat visits.

What we learned

How to work with Reddit's Devvit ecosystem and tailor experiences to its limitations.
Practical experience with real-time UI updates and synchronization logic.
The importance of user experience design when building games for non-gaming platforms.
How small features (like fuzzy matching and dark mode) dramatically improve UX.

What's next for Mystery Frame

Leaderboards: Track top guessers across multiple games.
Daily Challenges: New celebrity rounds posted daily to keep engagement high.
Difficulty Modes: Easy, Medium, Hard categories for broader appeal.
Hint System: Optional clues for tougher celebrities.
Social Sharing: Let users share their wins and challenge friends across subreddits.