Math Pathfinder

Organization
Playpower Labs
Role
Web Game Developer
Team Size
1
Duration
1 Month
Tech Stack
CreateJS • CSS • HTML

An interactive educational game designed to improve mathematical skills through engaging gameplay. Players navigate a grid-based environment by solving math problems, making strategic choices to reach their destination efficiently. The game features a variety of addition problems tailored to different skill levels. Players can earn points and unlock achievements as they progress through the game, making learning math fun and rewarding.

Key Contributions

Client Collaboration & GDD-Driven Delivery · Stakeholders · Scope Management
  • Worked directly with the client as the sole engineer, while the client owned game design and level creation.
  • Gathered requirements, evaluated feasibility, and negotiated scope and timelines to deliver the GDD within budget.
  • Used the Game Design Document (GDD) as the primary source of truth for gameplay flow, UI/UX, and system architecture.
  • Adapted to mid-project requirement changes without destabilizing existing systems.
  • Delivered a polished educational game aligned with learning objectives and gameplay clarity.
  • Created technical documentation to support client handover and future iteration.
Data-Driven Level System · JSON · Scalability

  • Designed a fully JSON-driven level system to decouple content from code.

  • Enabled client-driven level creation, balancing, and iteration using a simple text editor without requiring access to the full project.

  • Each level defines:

    • Visual theme
    • Mode type (standard or timed)
    • Multiple rounds per level
    • Per-round start value, target value, allowed operations, and grid layout

  • Supported multiple rounds and progressive difficulty within a single level.

  • Special grid markers (e.g. *) define mandatory collection points.

    Sample Level Data     
    1{
2  "levels": [
3    {
4      "levelId": 1,
5      "theme": "bee",
6      "timeLimit": 0,
7      "rounds": [
8        {
9          "start": 2,
10          "target": 5,
11          "operations": ["+1"],
12          "grid": [
13            [2, 3],
14            ["5*", 4]
15          ]
16        }
17      ]
18    }
19  ]
20}
Future-Ready Math Engine · Extensibility · System Design
  • Designed the math validation system to support operations beyond addition.
  • Supports:
    • Single operations
    • Repeated operations
    • Mixed operation sequences
  • New math modes can be enabled by defining operations directly in level JSON.
  • Avoided hardcoding logic to a specific mathematical concept to ensure long-term extensibility.
Theme & Asset Decoupling · Content Pipelines · No-Code Expansion
  • Implemented a theme-based asset loading system driven entirely by JSON configuration.
  • Adding a new theme requires only two assets following a standard naming convention:
    • A character asset (e.g. bee.png)
    • A matching target tile asset (e.g. bee_end.png)
  • No code changes required to introduce new visual themes.
  • Ensured consistency between level data and visual presentation.
Product Features & Learning Support · UX · Analytics
  • Implemented a level unlock system to structure progression.
  • Added a first-run in-game tutorial.
  • Designed a dynamic hint system that activates after repeated incorrect selections and adapts based on the next valid operation.
  • Integrated analytics tracking to capture player behavior and learning patterns.
  • Built a dashboard to visualize gameplay data in clear, easy-to-understand formats.
  • Enabled CSV export for offline analysis and reporting.
  • Supported data-driven iteration on difficulty tuning and level design.