Neon Dodge

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  Game signature name

Inspiration

I wanted to create an arcade game that could be played instantly inside Reddit without requiring downloads or leaving the platform. Inspired by classic survival games and modern cyberpunk aesthetics, I designed Neon Dodge to deliver short, addictive gameplay sessions where every second matters. My goal was to combine fast-paced reflex-based mechanics with long-term progression that keeps players coming back.

What it does

Neon Dodge is a survival arcade game where players navigate a neon arena while avoiding increasingly dangerous hazards.

Players can:

• Dodge procedurally spawned obstacles
• Collect Sparks to charge the PHASE ability, granting temporary invulnerability
• Survive escalating waves that introduce new gameplay patterns
• Complete missions and unlock achievements
• Submit scores to a global leaderboard and compete against other Reddit players
• Track personal progression across multiple runs

The gameplay is designed around "easy to learn, difficult to master" mechanics, rewarding both quick reflexes and strategic timing.

How I built it

Neon Dodge was built entirely as a Devvit Web App, allowing it to run directly inside Reddit.

-Frontend -React 19 -TypeScript -Tailwind CSS 4 -Phaser 3 game engine

The game uses Phaser for smooth rendering, collision detection, particle effects, wave management, and responsive controls, while React manages the surrounding UI including:

-HUD -Missions -Achievements -Leaderboards -Game Over screen -Player progression -Backend

Using Devvit's serverless environment, I built APIs that handle:

-Player profiles -Achievement unlocking -Mission progress tracking -Global leaderboard submissions -Persistent game statistics

This allows every Reddit user to maintain persistent progress across sessions while competing against other players.

Challenges I ran into

One of the biggest technical challenges was balancing game performance with the limitations of an embedded Reddit application.

Other challenges included:

-Designing responsive controls that work well on desktop and mobile -Creating scalable wave progression that becomes more challenging without feeling unfair -Synchronizing mission progress and achievements with backend data -Building a leaderboard system while keeping gameplay responsive -Designing a UI that fits comfortably inside Reddit's embedded web view while remaining readable

Another challenge was ensuring the game's visual style remained performant despite numerous glow effects, particles, and animations.

What I learned

Building Neon Dodge taught me a great deal about:

-Integrating React with Phaser in a clean architecture -Using Devvit Web APIs to create persistent Reddit experiences -Designing progression systems that encourage replayability -Managing game state between frontend gameplay and backend persistence -Optimizing browser-based games for embedded environments

I also gained valuable experience creating an application that feels native to Reddit while still delivering the polish and responsiveness expected from a modern arcade game.

What's next for Neon Dodge

I am excited to continue expanding Neon Dodge with new content and competitive features, including:

• Friends and community challenges
• Daily and weekly missions
• Unlockable player cosmetics
• Additional arenas and hazard types
• Seasonal leaderboards and ranked events
• Multiplayer and cooperative game modes

My vision is to grow Neon Dodge into a community-driven arcade experience where Reddit users can continuously compete, improve, and discover new challenges together.

Built With

• phaser.js
• react
• tailwind
• typescript