Connections Plus

A sophisticated daily word puzzle game that reimagines NYT Connections with innovative multi-level progression and strategic 'red herring' mechanics. Features AI-powered content generation and comprehensive admin tools.

Project Overview

Connections Plus is a sophisticated daily word puzzle game that reimagines NYT Connections with innovative multi-level progression and strategic 'red herring' mechanics. Built as a full-stack web application with comprehensive admin tools and player tracking.

Key Features

Multi-Level Progression System with accumulating complexity across 4 levels
Strategic Red Herring mechanics that create sophisticated misdirection
AI-Powered Word Generation using Claude API with human oversight
Anonymous Player Tracking using localStorage + cookies for privacy
Daily Puzzle System with UTC midnight cutoffs
Real-time Progress Saving to Redis for seamless experience
Responsive Grid System handling 17-19 dynamic word layouts
Comprehensive Admin Panel with calendar scheduling

Technical Highlights

Built with Next.js 15 and App Router for modern React development
Full TypeScript implementation with strict type checking
Redis Cloud integration for high-performance data storage
HeroUI component library for polished, accessible UI
Framer Motion animations for smooth user interactions
Mobile-responsive design optimized for all screen sizes
Basic Authentication middleware for admin security
Date-based scheduling with calendar interface

Technical Challenges

Dynamic Grid Layouts: Handling variable word counts (17-19 words) across different levels
State Management: Complex multi-level game progression with red herring carry-over
Anonymous Privacy: Providing personalization without collecting personal data
Date Handling: Proper UTC timezone management for global daily puzzles