Gamified Social Network Platform

Project Goals

The project aims to develop a social network where user interaction with content is intentionally restricted, making navigation challenging and engaging, similar to navigating in a video game. This concept is designed to add an element of curiosity and discovery, enhancing the overall user experience.

Functional Capabilities

• Content Posting: Users can post text, videos, audio, and composite posts, providing a wide variety of content types.
• Content Tree Navigation: Content is organized in a global tree structure, where each unit (referred to as a "trail") can either branch into further trails or end as a dead-end.
• Bookmarking and Navigation: Users can create bookmarks (limited in the free version) and reset their position in the content tree, enhancing exploration possibilities. Users may purchase additional resets or bookmarks to improve their experience.
• Content Ratings and Moderation: Content ratings and a moderation system ensure high-quality user-generated content. Moderators ("forest rangers") manage user content, maintaining safety and quality across the platform.
• User and Content Ratings: Users gain ratings based on the popularity of their trails. Content ratings are influenced by user feedback, branching frequency, and associated quality.

Solution Concept

The solution integrates elements of gamification into social networking by restricting the user’s ability to navigate freely, encouraging them to explore and interact in unique ways. Each user is a "traveler" exploring "trails" (content units), and the goal is to promote discovery through structured limitations that mimic a game-like environment. This approach aims to foster organic content creation and exploration within the community.

Results

• Successfully introduced a unique social media experience with a game-like structure.
• Increased user engagement due to restricted navigation that encourages further exploration.
• A dynamic and evolving content ecosystem driven by user contributions and structured limitations.

Integration and Development Process

• Backend Development: Implemented using Rust, integrated with PostgreSQL for data storage. RESTful APIs were created to support both the mobile and web applications.
• Frontend Development: Utilized Vue.js for the web interface and Flutter for mobile applications, providing seamless user interactions across platforms.
• Telegram Miniapp Integration: A Telegram bot interface was added to support easier access for users and promote cross-platform engagement.
• Scalability: Designed with high-performance requirements in mind to support a large number of simultaneous users at a minimal operational cost.

Administrative Capabilities

• Moderators ("forest rangers") have administrative interfaces to manage users and content.
• Content moderation tools ensure only high-quality content is visible, enhancing user trust and engagement.

Technologies Used

• Backend: Rust, PostgreSQL, REST API
• Frontend: Vue.js, Flutter (for mobile)
• Other: Telegram Bot API, Linux