SideQUEST

Loading Page
Profile Page
UCLA Map
UCLA Quest
Draw Tree
Score of Tree
UCLA Garden
Starting to Draw
Drawing Prompt
Photo Album Page
Snapping Photo for Prompt
Front-ending Coding by Ying

Inspiration

Our team drew inspiration from Pokémon Go, a game that encourages users to explore their surroundings. However, we observed that while Pokémon Go motivates users to venture out, their primary focus often remains on capturing rare Pokémon rather than truly engaging with and understanding the city they're in. With SideQUEST, we aim to bridge this gap by not only motivating users to explore but also by deepening their connection to the city through artistic means.

Our team also drew inspiration from Google’s QUICK DRAW, which was a childhood game for each of us. Our vision is to elevate the exploration journey by allowing users to express themselves artistically as they uncover the creative wonders of the cityscape, fostering a deeper sense of engagement and immersion.

What it does

SideQUEST prompts users to “Touch Grass”' by completing side quests, similar to accepting NPC requests on many RPG games. The app guides users to both famous landmarks and hidden gems, encouraging them to engage with their surroundings through creative prompts through an interactive gaming adventure. Users can choose to complete tasks that range from sketching landmarks to capturing unique photos and earn rewards in the form of virtual carrots.

Through SideQUEST, users can immerse themselves in the culture and history of a city while connecting with fellow adventurers, ultimately redefining the way people explore cities worldwide.

How we built it

Leveraging Google Places API and Google Maps API has helped us with the foundational data and mapping functionalities essential for crafting immersive exploration experiences for SideQUEST. We also utilized Gemini AI to generate prompts dynamically, adding depth and creativity to our app's quest system. Our development stack included React Native for cross-platform compatibility, Express and Node.js for backend functionality, and Firebase for real-time data storage and synchronization. The Firebase Admin SDK further facilitated seamless integration with our backend infrastructure. Throughout the design process, we relied on Figma for UI/UX prototyping, ensuring a user-centric approach to app development. By putting together our skills through these technologies, we were able to build SideQUEST from scratch, and create an engaging and innovative platform for creative adventurers.

What we learned

In our first hackathon experience, we gained valuable insights and lessons that have shaped our approach to innovation and collaboration. We discovered the importance of patience and trusting the process, realizing that great ideas take time to develop and refine. Through hands-on experience with compiling and using GitHub, we deepened our understanding of software development practices and the importance of version control in collaborative projects. Overall, the hackathon taught us the value of perseverance, teamwork, and continuous learning, laying the foundation for our journey in building impactful solutions like SideQUEST.

What's next for SideQUEST

Our next step for SideQUEST is to introduce a multiplayer mode, elevating the exploration experience to new heights. We're excited to integrate leaderboard scores, allowing users to compete for carrots against their friends and other adventurers in their local area. This addition will foster friendly competition, encouraging users to embark on quests together, share experiences, and strive for the top spot on the leaderboard. In addition to competing locally, we plan to expand the multiplayer aspect to include global leaderboards, enabling users to challenge fellow Rangers from around the world.