lvl8studios
The Hackathon Challenge
NUS Hack&Roll 2025 was an incredible experience. With thousands of participants and dozens of categories, we knew we had to build something unique to stand out. The polyglot category particularly caught our attention—it required using multiple programming languages effectively.
The Concept
GyatWord was inspired by the intersection of internet culture and classic word games. We wanted to create a crossword puzzle that would resonate with Gen Z while still being challenging and educational.
Technical Implementation
Our polyglot approach included:
- Frontend: React for the interactive puzzle interface
- Backend: Scala for word processing and puzzle generation
- API: FastAPI for fast, reliable endpoints
- Authentication: JSON Web Tokens for secure user sessions
The Demo
Our demo showcased the seamless integration between different technologies, each chosen for their specific strengths. The judges were impressed by both the technical implementation and the creative concept.
Key Learnings
Building GyatWord taught us the importance of:
- Choosing the right tool for each job
- Seamless integration between different technologies
- Understanding your target audience
Recognition
Winning the Best Polyglot Hack award was an incredible validation of our approach. It showed that technical excellence combined with creative thinking can create something truly special.