Most word search games are quiet, solitary experiences. I wanted to explore what would happen if the genre became fast, social, and just a little chaotic.

Working with a close friend, I designed S E A R C H P A R T Y, a real-time local multiplayer word search game where players race to find words hidden within identical grids displayed on their own devices. As players score points, they charge a Zap Meter that can be unleashed to disrupt every opponent’s board. The meter charges more quickly for players who are behind, creating comeback opportunities that keep every match competitive until the final moments.

The project was inspired by local multiplayer experiences like SpaceTeam and Jackbox, which showed how a room full of people laughing and shouting could be just as compelling as online play. While I led the gameplay design, systems, UX, balancing, and overall creative direction, the project benefited enormously from collaborating with a programmer who was also a talented artist. Many of the game’s best ideas emerged through constant iteration, open discussion, and building on one another’s feedback.

One of my favorite parts of the project was developing its visual identity. We discovered a playful set of animal illustrations that inspired everything from the color palette to the UI.

Although the game tested exceptionally well—including public playtests at the St. Louis Science Center—it was ultimately put on hold as other projects took priority. The prototype remains playable on the web, and it’s a project we still revisit from time to time.