¶ Memory Breakout
Memory Breakout is a cooperative digital memory game developed for browser play, targeting 2-3 simultaneous users. Unlike conventional memory games, this concept emphasizes collaboration and verbal coordination. Each player interacts with a personal 3x3 card grid displayed on their smartphone, and gameplay advances only when all participants simultaneously select and reveal matching emojis. The design promotes synchronous teamwork, ideally suited for hybrid social scenarios such as escape rooms or educational team-building exercises.
Project Access: https://uneedafriend-otabkks5.b4a.run/
¶ Team
Julie Vohnsen (XXXX267)
Cedric Bleck (XXXX884)
Lars Stiegmann (XXXX502)
Arda Koray Dogan (XXXX410)
¶ Project
Our main idea from the beginning was to make people collaborate to achieve a goal.
¶ Project Objectives
Objective: To prototype and develop a browser-accessible memory game that facilitates communication and cooperative problem-solving among players.
Methodology: Each player uses a smartphone to join a shared game instance via QR code or NFC link. A synchronized turn-based system encourages players to verbally strategize and uncover matching cards across their individual grids.
Motivation: This project investigates the application of digital platforms to promote interpersonal communication and shared task-solving. The primary use case includes group entertainment and pedagogical activities.
¶ Gameplay Mechanics
- Players join the session using a QR code or NFC scan.
- Each device displays a 3x3 grid containing concealed icons.
- In each round, players independently choose one tile to flip.
- Upon all selections being made, tiles are revealed simultaneously.
- The group must find matching emojis across different devices to progress.
- The game structure is non-competitive and emphasizes shared success over individual performance.
Unique Gameplay Elements:
Memory Breakout reimagines traditional memory mechanics through a cooperative digital interface that supports verbal interaction and shared visual cues. It caters to users of diverse ages through intuitive emoji-based design and minimal instruction requirements.
- Promotes real-time, co-located collaboration
- Players choose whether to keep their screens private or share with others
- Flexible structure allows escape room integration
¶ Competitior Analysis
¶ SWOT
| Strengths | Weaknesses | Opportunities | Threats |
| Every person with a mobile phone and an internet connection can easily play the game. | Needs a phone and a stable internet connection of all players to be playable | Different groups can be targeted with different emoji sets which can be easily replaced. | Technological disruptions or hosting failures |
| The Emojis are universally recognizable so the game can be played by a wide age range of people from all over the world. | For people who don’t have good communication skills, it might not be enjoyable enough. | Thematic emoji packs for specific demographics | User disengagement due to lack of competitive elements |
| Running costs are close to non-existant, since it's a web-game, that's not using any integration or third-party-services. | People need to use their phones, and can therefore easily become distracted. | Educational and therapeutic applications | |
| Device-independent (smartphones with browsers) | Phones may distract from group cohesion | Integration into escape room ecosystems | |
| Emoji-based UI allows cross-cultural engagement | Dependent on an environment that allows for verbal exchange | Possibility to connect with other games or services via API | |
| Low operational overhead due to digital nature | |||
| Comes with easy maintenance, since it's non-physical, so it has no breakable parts and fixes to the software don't need to applied locally | |||
| Emphasizes communication and cooperation |
¶ Unique Selling Proposition
Memory Breakout reimagines traditional memory mechanics through a cooperative digital interface that supports verbal interaction and shared visual cues. It caters to users of diverse ages through intuitive emoji-based design and minimal instruction requirements.
¶ Competitors
| Product | Strengths | Weaknesses | Price |
|
Physical memory game  |
Most people know what it is, and therefore rarely need an introduction. | Pieces can get lost or damaged. | 5-15 € |
| Digital Memory Apps | Convenient, often feature-rich | Typically solo experiences, less social | Free–10€ |
| Memory Breakout | Social, cooperative, technology-enabled, scalable | Internet dependency, MVP-stage limitations | Free |
¶ Target Audience
Primary Persona:
- A 12-year-old boy with an interest in games and collaborative family activities
Secondary Personas:
- A 16-year-old sibling who enjoys strategic play
- Parents who value meaningful family engagement
Use Scenarios:
- Escape room challenges
- Family entertainment
- Classroom collaboration
- Team-building events
¶ Technical Stack & Deployment
- Platform: Web-based interface developed using Vite
- Access: QR code or NFC, no login required
- Frontend: Mobile-optimized responsive layout
- Backend & Hosting: Currently unspecified; hosted through B4A run
- Communication: Synchronous in-person verbal exchange
¶ Assets
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¶ Budget
| Budget Category | Specification | Estimated Cost (€) |
| Student Development | 4 developers, 2 weeks part-time (40h each) @ €150/h | €24,000 |
| Consultant Fees | 10 hours consultation @ €200/h | €2,000 |
| Hosting & Maintenance | VPS/server + bandwidth (12 months) | €300 |
| Office Rental | Shared workspace (2 weeks) | €500 |
| Miscellaneous | Tools, prototyping materials, licenses | €200 |
| Optional Marketing | Domain, landing page, promotional assets | €1,000 |
| Total Estimate | €28,000 |
¶ Process
- Ideation: Multiple game concepts explored through brainstorming.
- Initial Development: Began with early prototype of classic memory game.
- Evaluation & Pivot: Identified lack of engagement in early version.
- Reframing: Introduced collaborative elements to enhance dynamics.
- Implementation: Developed a functioning MVP tailored for escape room integration.
¶ Reflection
- We needed too long to find an idea. We then focused on developing it too early instead of first prototyping it in a simpler way. We kind of got lost trying to develop a finished product without having a proper plan.
- Faster finding the goal of the game or a more “fun” goal/ending.
- The team experienced early inefficiencies due to prolonged idea generation and premature coding without adequate wireframing or user testing. Although development was initially misaligned with engagement goals, iterative prototyping led to a more suitable final concept. Key takeaways.
- Prioritize defining game dynamics and player experience before implementation
- Utilize lo-fi prototyping tools for early feedback
- Balance innovation with usability and player psychology