Development Story and Goals

UHackathon 2025 presented a unique opportunity to combine humor with technology in a competitive hackathon environment. The challenge was to create something that would stand out among the numerous projects within a super constrained 6 hour timeframe.

Envisioning a game for the Fun track, Captcha’d emerged from our observation of the universal frustration with CAPTCHA systems combined with the fast-paced, chaotic energy of WarioWare-style mini-games. We envisioned a game that would turn the mundane task of proving you’re human into an entertaining, high-energy experience.

Our goal was to create a satirical take on modern internet security measures while providing genuinely engaging gameplay that would keep players coming back for more challenges and higher scores.

Technology Stack and Rapid Development

Primary Technologies:

• Godot Engine - Selected for rapid prototyping and excellent 2D game development tools
• GDScript - Godot’s scripting language for quick implementation of game logic
• Git - Version control for team coordination during the hackathon

Game Systems Implemented:

• Microgame Framework - Modular system for different CAPTCHA-style challenges
• Scoring and Progression - Points-based system with increasing difficulty
• Timer Management - Time pressure by decreasing allotted challenge time with difficulty
• Input Variety - Multiple input methods to simulate different CAPTCHA types

Rationale Behind Technology Choices: Godot was chosen for its exceptional rapid development capabilities and built-in tools that allowed us to iterate quickly during the hackathon timeframe. The engine’s node system made it easy to create microgames that could be developed in parallel by team members.

Technical Challenges and Creative Solutions

Microgames:

• Challenge Diversification - Creating multiple distinct gameplay mechanics within time constraints
• Difficulty Scaling - Implementing progressive difficulty that maintains engagement
• Input Responsiveness - Ensuring precise controls across different challenge types
• Visual Clarity - Making chaotic gameplay understandable and fair

Hackathon-Specific Challenges:

• Time Management - Balancing feature development with polish in hyper-compressed timeframe
• Scope Control - Maintaining focus on core loop while avoiding feature creep
• Asset Creation - Developing visual assets rapidly without sacrificing quality
• Integration Coordination - Simultaneously working on microgames and the core game loop via a shared interface

Technical Implementation:

• Game Management - Creating smooth transitions between microgames
• User Interface - Designing intuitive controls for various microgame types
• Expandable Gameplay - Designing a system that easily allows for future microgames

Lessons Learned and Hackathon Experience

Rapid Development Insights: Participating in UHackathon 2025 reinforced the importance of clear communication and rapid decision-making in competitive development environments. The time pressure forced us to prioritize core features and find creative shortcuts without compromising the player experience.

Creative Problem Solving:

• Leveraging existing game design patterns (WarioWare) for rapid development
• Finding humor in everyday technology frustrations as a design inspiration
• Balancing satirical elements with genuinely engaging gameplay mechanics
• Creating variety within a constrained theme and timeframe

Technical Skills Development:

• Advanced proficiency with Godot’s rapid development features
• Experience with modular game architecture for hackathon environments
• Better coordination of parallel development across multiple systems

Project Impact and Competition Results

Hackathon Performance: Captcha’d successfully won the fun track in UHackathon 2025. Our team was rewarded with tote bags filled with merchandise from the University of Washington.

Educational Value: Captcha’d serves as an example of how everyday technological frustrations can be transformed into entertaining experiences through creative game design. The project demonstrates the potential for humor and satire in technology education and user experience design.

The success of Captcha’d in UHackathon 2025 validates the power of combining familiar technology concepts with engaging game mechanics to create memorable and entertaining experiences.