SeedPhrase

A WEB-BASED WORD PUZZLE GAME

Case Study

SeedPhrase is a web-based word puzzle game where players are recruited by the fictional hacker zeroXcool (inspired by the 1995 film "Hackers") to help decrypt cryptocurrency wallet seed phrases from nefarious crypto wallets. Players must crack encrypted words using a proprietary Variable Shift Caesar Cipher, where each letter has been shifted by up to 3 positions in the alphabet.

The game challenges players with puzzles ranging from 4 to 24 words, each selected from the official BIP39 wordlist—the same standardized list used by real cryptocurrency wallets. Players can adjust difficulty through puzzle length, the number of pre-solved hint letters, and optional time limits - the more difficult the puzzle, the more potential crypto earnings. An AI chatbot powered by OpenAI's GPT-4o-mini provides real-time hints while staying in character as the snarky hacker zeroXcool, though each hint comes at a cost to the player's potential crypto earnings.

Beyond the core puzzle mechanics, SeedPhrase subtly educates players about cryptocurrency concepts: seed phrases, blockchain differences (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Tezos), wallet IDs, and real-time market values through live CoinGecko API integration. The game now features full integration with the Ghostnet blockchain simulation ecosystem, allowing me to earn rewards that work across multiple games on JimmyWeber.com.

Evolution: From Standalone to Integrated Experience

SeedPhrase began as an independent web application hosted on its own domain, but has evolved into a fully integrated component of the JimmyWeber.com gaming ecosystem with live Ghostnet blockchain simulation.

The evolution process included converting the standalone HTML application to PHP for seamless site integration, implementing a sophisticated Ghostnet wallet connection system, and creating a dual-mode experience where players can either connect their wallet (currently, only I can do this) for the full experience with crypto rewards, or play as a guest for unlimited practice.

The game now features live cryptocurrency pricing via the CoinGecko API, allowing players to see real-time values for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Tezos. Successful puzzle completions earn simulated cryptocurrency rewards that work across multiple games on the site, creating a unified gaming economy.

While some refinements are ongoing, the core wallet connection, reward system, and cross-game economy are fully operational. To read more about the Ghostnet blockchain simulation ecosystem, please see the Ghostnet case study.

Inspiration and Concept

The idea for SeedPhrase was inspired by the numerical encryption methods of Ledger hardware wallets. I wanted to create a "Wordle for DeGens" that appeals to both crypto enthusiasts and puzzle lovers.

Goals

• Develop a robust Variable Shift Caesar Cipher encryption method that generates a seed phrase from the BIP39 wordlist, ensuring stable and engaging gameplay.
• Create a unique, fun, and challenging word game with a crypto aesthetic.
• Subtly educate users with little interest in or knowledge of crypto about different wallet IDs, blockchains, and their values.
• Provide different difficulty settings based on puzzle length, pre-solved letters, and time.
• Allow users to choose from four different blockchains, with accurate wallet IDs and prize values corresponding to each blockchain.
• Incorporate AI technology for an immersive experience, enabling users to chat with an AI and receive real-time, AI-powered hints.
• Integrate seamlessly with the Ghostnet blockchain simulation ecosystem to create a unified gaming economy across JimmyWeber.com.

My Role

My Responsibilities

• Conceptualizing the game idea and design.
• Directing ChatGPT and, later, Cursor to program the game according to my specifications.
• Testing the game to ensure it meets the envisioned design and functionality.

Unique Aspects of the Project

AI Integration & Refinement

SeedPhrase integrates an AI chatbot powered by OpenAI's GPT-4o-mini model that provides real-time hints through extensive prompt engineering. The AI system has undergone significant refinement to achieve the right balance of helpful guidance without spoiling solutions.

Early versions of the AI would frequently give away answers in their hints, making the puzzle too easy. Through iterative testing and prompt engineering, the current system provides meaningful clues about word meanings and concepts without revealing the actual answers. The AI maintains full awareness of the puzzle state to give contextual hints, stays in character as the snarky hacker zeroXcool, and each hint interaction costs the player a portion of their crypto cut, adding strategic depth to when and how players seek help.

Live Cryptocurrency Integration

The game features real-time cryptocurrency pricing through the CoinGecko API, displaying current values for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Tezos.

Dual Game Modes

Players can choose between two distinct experiences: connecting their Ghostnet wallet for the full authenticated mode with cryptocurrency rewards that work across the JimmyWeber.com ecosystem, or playing as a guest for unlimited practice without the pressure of stakes. I'm currently the only player who can connect their Ghostnet wallet, but I plan to open it up to more players in the near future.

Enhanced Gameplay Features

Beyond the core puzzle mechanics, SeedPhrase includes quality-of-life features like the Rescramble button, which allows players to reset non-solved letters back to their original encrypted state. This gives players the flexibility to start fresh when they feel stuck, while preserving officially solved letters and hint letters. Material Icons integration provides clear visual feedback throughout the interface.

Competitive Audit

I conducted a competitive audit to understand the landscape of similar games. SeedPhrase stands out with its unique combination of word puzzles, crypto education, and AI integration.

Initial Design

Paper to Pixels

I started with paper wireframes, sketching out the Variable Shift Caesar Cipher and the game's design elements. This hands-on approach helped me visualize the core mechanics.

Mockup

Transitioning from paper wireframes directly to high-fidelity mockups in Figma saved valuable development time. I aimed for a sleek, intuitive design that would captivate users.

Creating a Working Version

As a beginning vibe coder, I had ChatGPT write the code and then tell me how to assemble SeedPhrase piece-by-piece. Despite the hurdles, I guided the agents until the working version matched my vision. These days, I use Cursor which is much more powerful and efficient.

Accessibility Features

High Contrast Ratio

SeedPhrase features light text on a dark background, ensuring a very high contrast ratio. This design choice improves readability for all users, including those with visual impairments.

Color Palette

A bright blue accent color is used to highlight key information. This color choice is both visually appealing and helps in quickly identifying important elements on the screen.

Information Architecture

The hierarchical design of the game ensures that assistive technologies can easily translate the information for users with disabilities.

Font Choice

SeedPhrase uses Inclusive Sans by Olivia King for all text. This font is specifically designed to enhance readability, making the game more accessible to users with various reading needs.

Lessons & What's Next

Lessons Learned

• How to prioritize and display the most important information on the screen.
• Significant insights into coding and programming HTML, CSS, Javascript, and GPT-4o chat interfaces.
• How to effectively leverage AI to assist in creating a complex program with limited coding knowledge.
• The importance of iterative refinement - especially with AI prompt engineering to achieve the right balance of helpful guidance without spoiling solutions.
• Converting standalone applications into integrated ecosystem components requires careful planning for authentication, state management, and cross-system communication.
• Real-world API integration (CoinGecko, OpenAI) and handling edge cases like rate limiting, caching, and fallback strategies.

Next Steps

• Complete backend refinements for the reward processing system.
• Implement daily play limits and testnet practice mode for balanced gameplay.
• Add cross-game leaderboards and achievement system across the Ghostnet ecosystem.
• Perform a comprehensive usability study to gather feedback from a diverse group of users.
• Continue enhancing accessibility features and assistive technology integration.
• Refine edge cases and optimize performance based on real-world usage patterns.