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  Landing Page

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  Red Light Page

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  Green Light Page

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  Caught Alert

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  Score Card

RedRun

Inspiration

The idea for RedRun came from the classic "Red Light, Green Light" game, a childhood staple recently reimagined in global pop culture through media like Squid Game. I was fascinated by the tension and precision required in this simple concept: every move counts, and one mistake can end the run. I wanted to capture that same anxiety-inducing thrill in a fast-paced mobile arcade game that rewards both timing and strategy.

Development & Build

I designed RedRun as a tapping-based arcade experience built around clarity and intuitive controls. The player taps to move forward, but only when the doll isn’t watching. Each level ramps up the challenge:

• Doll behavior: Randomized head rotation cycles that speed up with progression.
• Player control: Single-tap movement, emphasizing reflexes and precision.
• Timer & checkpoints: Players must hit checkpoints before time runs out, adding urgency.
• Scoring system: Distance-based scoring with multipliers for consecutive flawless levels.

The game follows mobile-first UX principles, featuring clear visuals, large touch targets, and distinct audio cues signaling “Green Light” and “Red Light.” I also integrated Reddit authentication for leaderboard functionality and score sharing.

What I Learned

Developing RedRun gave me hands-on experience with:

• Timing-based mechanics – Balancing difficulty to stay challenging but fair.
• Audio/visual synchronization – Aligning cues perfectly with gameplay flow.
• Progression systems – Building difficulty curves that keep players hooked.
• UI/UX design – Designing menus, scoreboards, and share features for smooth navigation.
• Data management – Handling both local score storage and Reddit-linked global leaderboards.

Challenges & Solutions

1. Balancing difficulty Early builds were either too forgiving or brutally hard. I solved this by implementing a dynamic system: the doll’s head rotation accelerates gradually, and “Green Light” phases shorten, creating a smooth yet tense progression.

2. Responsive controls Precision tap detection was critical. I optimized input handling to ensure taps register instantly, avoiding missed inputs in high-pressure moments.

3. Leaderboard integration Linking scores to Reddit accounts required careful API handling and secure data management. Once resolved, it enabled smooth score-sharing and global rankings.

Reflection

RedRun is more than a quick arcade game—it’s a test of timing, patience, and focus, packaged in a fast-paced, high-stakes mobile experience. Building it challenged me to think critically about player psychology, iteration, and balance. Above all, it reinforced how much small details in mechanics and UX shape the player’s overall experience.

Built With

• css
• devvit
• node.js
• react