Imagine a lively party where laughter fills the air, and all eyes are on you as you try to describe "Basketball"—but you can't say "hoop," "court," "dribble," or "sport." This is the magic of Taboo, the timeless word-guessing game that challenges your creativity and quick thinking.
I’ve recreated this experience digitally, and you can try it out right now: Play Taboo Online. This blog takes you through the journey of building this game using React, Next.js, and a blend of modern web technologies. Along the way, I'll share insights, code snippets, and challenges to inspire your next project.
What is Taboo?
At its core, Taboo is a team-based game where one player gives clues to get their teammates to guess a target word—without using specific "taboo" words. Each slip-up gives the opposing team points, making the game as thrilling as it is tricky. Translating this into a digital experience posed some fun technical challenges, from state management to animations.
Technical Stack: The Building Blocks
To build this game, I leveraged a robust stack:
- Next.js 14 for server-side rendering and routing
- TypeScript to enhance type safety and developer productivity
- Tailwind CSS for effortless styling
- Framer Motion for smooth, engaging animations
- use-sound for immersive game sound effects
- Shadcn/ui for sleek UI components
- canvas-confetti to celebrate victories in style
How I Built It: Key Features
1. Game State Management
Managing a game’s dynamic state is like juggling—cards, scores, timers, and turns need to sync seamlessly. I used React's useState hooks to create a centralized structure:
const [cards, setCards] = useState<TabooCard[]>([]);
const [team1, setTeam1] = useState({ name: "Team 1", score: 0 });
const [team2, setTeam2] = useState({ name: "Team 2", score: 0 });
const [currentTeam, setCurrentTeam] = useState(1);
const [timeLeft, setTimeLeft] = useState(defaultSettings.roundDuration);
const [currentRound, setCurrentRound] = useState(1);
This setup ensured easy updates and clear transitions between rounds and turns.
2. A Fair Card Management System
Random yet balanced card distribution was crucial. I developed a DataManager class to ensure diversity without repetition:
class DataManager {
getNewGameCards(count: number): TabooCard[] {
const cardsByCategory = this.allCards.reduce((acc, card) => {
acc[card.category] = acc[card.category] || [];
acc[card.category].push(card);
return acc;
}, {} as Record<string, TabooCard[]>);
// Alternate between categories to maintain diversity
// Selection logic here...
}
}
By alternating categories and ensuring no card repeats within a session, the game felt fresh every time.
3. Real-Time Timer and Turn Management
A game timer keeps the excitement alive, and I used useEffect to implement a countdown that’s both precise and responsive:
useEffect(() => {
if (timeLeft > 0 && isGameStarted && isRoundInProgress) {
const timer = setTimeout(() => setTimeLeft(timeLeft - 1), 1000);
return () => clearTimeout(timer);
} else if (timeLeft === 0) {
endTurn();
}
}, [timeLeft, isGameStarted, isRoundInProgress]);
This approach ensures seamless transitions and accurate countdowns.
4. Engaging Animations with Framer Motion
Animations breathe life into digital experiences. Using Framer Motion, I created smooth transitions for cards:
<AnimatePresence>
<motion.div
key={currentCard?.word}
initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 50 }}
animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
exit={{ opacity: 0, y: -50 }}
transition={{ duration: 0.2 }}
>
<Card card={currentCard} />
</motion.div>
</AnimatePresence>
This added a polished, professional touch that players loved.
5. Scoring System
I implemented classic Taboo scoring rules:
- +1 point for correct guesses
- +1 point for catching opponents using taboo words
- -1 point for using taboo words
const handleTaboo = () => {
const activeTeam = currentTeam === 1 ? setTeam1 : setTeam2;
const opposingTeam = currentTeam === 1 ? setTeam2 : setTeam1;
activeTeam(prev => ({ ...prev, score: prev.score - 1 }));
opposingTeam(prev => ({ ...prev, score: prev.score + 1 }));
moveToNextCard();
};
Challenges and Solutions
1. Balancing Randomness in Card Distribution
Challenge: How do you maintain randomness while ensuring fairness?
Solution: Grouped cards by category and alternated selections.
2. Accurate Timer Synchronization
Challenge: Browser tabs often pause timers, disrupting gameplay.
Solution: Leveraged setTimeout and useEffect to maintain reliable timing.
3. Responsive Design
Challenge: Ensuring a seamless experience across devices.
Solution: Used Tailwind CSS to create a fully responsive layout.
User Experience Enhancements
- Audio Feedback: Added sound effects for key events like correct guesses and taboo violations.
- Visual Cues: Animations and victory celebrations to heighten engagement.
- Mobile-Friendly Design: Optimized for touch screens and smaller displays.
- Intuitive Setup: A wizard guides players through game setup effortlessly.
Looking Ahead: Future Features
- Multiplayer mode with WebSocket integration
- Customizable card decks for personalized gameplay
- Enhanced animations and haptic feedback
- Larger card sets for extended sessions
- Alternative game modes to mix things up
Conclusion
Building this Taboo game was more than just a coding exercise—it was a chance to combine technical skills with creativity to deliver an engaging experience. Tools like React, Next.js, and Framer Motion made it possible to bring this project to life, and I learned a lot about managing complex game states and enhancing user experience.
You can experience the game right now: Play Taboo Online. Feel free to share your feedback—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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