Inspiration
As avid Redditors, we noticed how subreddits thrive on community interaction, but daily engagement can feel sporadic. What if we turned Reddit into a collaborative playground? Drawing from popular UGC games like Pixelary and Riddonkulous, we envisioned a daily riddle-solving experience where users aren't just players—they're creators. ReddCollab Quest was born from the idea of blending AI-generated mysteries with user-submitted clues, voted on by the community, to spark discussions, build streaks, and foster that addictive "just one more day" vibe.
What it does
ReddCollab Quest posts a fresh AI-crafted riddle every day in participating subreddits. Users submit clues, vote on the best ones, and collaborate to crack the puzzle. Correct solvers earn streak badges, while top-voted clues get featured, turning the game into a subreddit-wide conversation. It's mobile-first, seamless on Reddit's app, and rewards consistent play with custom flairs and community shoutouts.
How we built it
We leveraged Devvit's Web framework with React for the interactive UI, integrating GameMaker for puzzle logic and AI riddle generation via open-source models. The backend handles real-time voting and streak tracking through Reddit's API. We prototyped in a 48-hour sprint: Day 1 for ideation and wireframing, Day 2 for coding the core mechanics, and final tweaks for polish. Testing involved simulating community votes to ensure fair, engaging gameplay.
Challenges we faced
Balancing AI riddle difficulty was tricky—too easy, and it's boring; too hard, and participation drops. We iterated through dozens of prompts to hit the sweet spot. Integrating user-generated content meant handling spam and ensuring votes were bot-proof, which required custom moderation hooks. Time constraints pushed us to prioritize mobile responsiveness over desktop extras, but it paid off for Reddit's on-the-go users.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
Creating a game that feels uniquely "Reddit"—chaotic, collaborative, and endlessly replayable. Early tests showed users spending 20% more time in subreddits, with discussions spilling into comments. Winning would validate our focus on UGC, but we're already thrilled by how it turns passive scrolling into active community building.
What we learned
Hackathons teach resilience: We learned to embrace Reddit's API quirks and the power of community feedback in real-time. AI isn't a magic bullet—it needs human creativity to shine. Most importantly, gamification works best when it's social, not solitary.
What's next for ReddCollab Quest
Post-hackathon, we'll expand to more subreddits, add themed riddle packs (e.g., sci-fi, memes), and integrate leaderboards for cross-community competitions. Long-term, we're eyeing monetization through premium streaks or partnerships, all while keeping it free and fun for core users. Join the quest—your clue could be the key!
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