Another Rhythm Game
A collaborative web-based rhythm game featuring real-time audio analysis and synchronized gameplay mechanics. Built with Ruby on Rails backend and JavaScript frontend.
About This Project
A collaborative web-based rhythm game featuring real-time audio analysis and synchronized gameplay mechanics. Built with Ruby on Rails backend and JavaScript frontend.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Modern web application built with Next.js
- Full-stack development with API integration
- User-centric design and experience
- Scalable architecture and performance
CORE FEATURES
- Personalized recommendations
- Secure authentication system
- Real-time data integration
- Responsive design
PROJECT STATS
TECH STACK
System Architecture
Scalable & Performance-Focused
Frontend Architecture
Built with modern React patterns using Next.js 14+ for optimal performance and SEO. Implemented component-based architecture with reusable UI patterns.
Backend Infrastructure
Leveraged serverless architecture with API routes and database integration. Implemented efficient data caching and real-time capabilities.
Key Technical Decisions
Engineering Choices & Rationale
Database Strategy
Chose PostgreSQL with Supabase for real-time capabilities, ACID compliance, and built-in authentication. Optimized queries with proper indexing.
Performance Optimization
Implemented ISR, image optimization, and efficient caching strategies. Achieved 95+ Lighthouse scores across all metrics.
Code Quality
TypeScript for type safety, ESLint/Prettier for consistency, and comprehensive error handling with user-friendly fallbacks.
Agile Development Methodology
User-Centered & Iterative Approach
User Research
Conducted user interviews and competitive analysis to identify pain points and opportunities.
Iterative Development
Built MVP first, then enhanced features based on user feedback and performance metrics.
Data-Driven Decisions
Used analytics and user behavior data to guide feature prioritization and improvements.
Discovery & Planning
Defined project scope, technical requirements, and user stories. Created wireframes and established development timeline with clear milestones.
Core Development
Built the foundational features with focus on clean code architecture, performance optimization, and scalable patterns.
Testing & Optimization
Comprehensive testing across devices and browsers, performance optimization, and accessibility improvements for production readiness.
Deployment & Monitoring
Production deployment with CI/CD pipeline, monitoring setup, and post-launch performance tracking and user feedback collection.
DETAILS
LINKS
TECH STACK
TAGS
Another Rhythm Game
Project Overview
"Another Rhythm Game" is a collaborative web-based rhythm game developed as part of the Flatiron School Phase 3 curriculum. Inspired by popular titles like "OSU", this project demonstrates our ability to create interactive web applications with complex audio-visual synchronization, showcasing both frontend and backend development skills.
Key Features
- Real-time Rhythm Gameplay: Synchronized on-screen elements with music beats.
- Audio Analysis: Web Audio API integration for beat detection and event triggering.
- User Authentication: Score saving functionality with user accounts.
- Guest Mode: Casual play option without account creation.
- Leaderboard System: Top 10 scores display for competitive engagement.
Technologies Used
- Backend: Ruby on Rails
- Frontend: JavaScript, HTML5
- Audio Processing: Web Audio API
Development Process
- Conceptualization: Designed a web-based rhythm game concept.
- Backend Development: Ruby on Rails implementation for game logic and data management.
- Frontend Implementation: JavaScript and HTML5 for UI and game mechanics.
- Audio Integration: Web Audio API utilization for music analysis and gameplay synchronization.
- User Experience Design: Created an intuitive interface for gameplay and navigation.
- Testing and Refinement: Ensured smooth gameplay and accurate beat detection.
Technical Highlights
- Custom Audio Analysis: Developed a Web Audio API-based analyzer for beat intensity detection.
- Dynamic UI Generation: Implemented a system for creating synchronized interactive game elements.
- Scalable Architecture: Designed for efficient handling of concurrent players.
Key Challenges & Solutions
Precise Audio-Visual Synchronization
Challenge: Rhythm games require millisecond-perfect timing between audio beats and visual elements. Browser audio latency varies significantly across devices and browsers. Solution: Built a custom calibration system that measures audio latency on each device. Implemented a predictive timing algorithm that compensates for browser-specific delays. Added visual and audio offset controls for players to fine-tune their experience.
Real-Time Beat Detection with Web Audio API
Challenge: Analyzing live audio for beat intensity and timing without causing performance drops or audio stuttering. Solution: Created an efficient FFT-based analyzer that processes audio in chunks. Used Web Workers to handle beat detection calculations off the main thread, preventing UI freezes during intense gameplay moments.
Collaborative Development with Git Workflow
Challenge: Two developers working on the same codebase with different experience levels, managing both frontend and backend changes simultaneously. Solution: Established a clear branching strategy with feature branches for each major component. Set up automated testing for critical game mechanics and implemented code review process to maintain quality while learning from each other.
Scalable Game State Management
Challenge: Managing complex game state (player scores, beat timing, UI updates) while maintaining 60fps performance during active gameplay. Solution: Implemented a custom state management system optimized for real-time updates. Used requestAnimationFrame for smooth animations and separated game logic from rendering to prevent performance bottlenecks.
Future Enhancements
- Custom Track Upload: User music track integration.
- Multiplayer Mode: Real-time competitive gameplay.
- Dynamic Difficulty: Adaptive difficulty based on player performance.
- Mobile Optimization: Expanding to mobile platforms.
Conclusion
"Another Rhythm Game" showcases our collaborative skills in creating engaging, interactive web applications. It demonstrates our proficiency in Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, and audio processing in web environments. This project not only enhanced our technical skills but also strengthened our teamwork and communication abilities, crucial for professional development scenarios.
Acknowledgments
We extend our gratitude to Flatiron School for the project opportunity and to the open-source community for their invaluable tools and resources.