PROBLEM
Why Trivia Platforms Lost Their Spark
Most traditional quiz platforms like Kahoot!, and Quizizz offer a static, one-size-fits-all experience. They lack social interaction, adaptive learning, and diverse content.
Niche Topics
Game of Thrones, NBA, etc.
Spontaneous Playing Options
Multiplayer Mode
Effective Gamification
Progression, Bragging Rights
Exploring the Trivia Rabbit-hole: What I Discovered
I explored the trivia landscape, studied player psychology and platforms, and conducted 12 interviews plus a Day in the Life UX exercise to uncover what keeps knowledge lovers engaged and why.
What started as DM’ing trivia lovers across 20+ Reddit and Facebook groups (until I got banned) eventually led me to stumble upon QuizUp, (not to be confused with Quizme) the game that redefined online trivia.
RESEARCH
QuizUp’s Rise and Today’s Reality
At its peak in the mid-2010s, QuizUp attracted around 5 million monthly active users, while Kahoot, today’s leading trivia platform, engages roughly 24.6 million monthly active users, nearly five times as many.
But, here's the broader picture:
In the mid-2010s, during QuizUp’s peak, only 1 to 2 billion people had smartphones. Today about 4.9 billion people, or 70 percent of the world, have them.
If QuizUp were competing today, it could reasonably project 25–30 million monthly active users, slightly edging past Kahoot’s ~24.6 million MAUs.
What was so special about QuizUp?
QuizUp stood out because it was one of the first trivia apps to blend real-time, head-to-head multiplayer gameplay with a massive range of topics.
Instant 1v1 Matches
Gave players the thrill of live competition
Niche Topics
Made trivia feel personal and relevant
Addictive Gamification
Created a sense of progress and status.
Lessons from QuizUp's fall
Monetization strategies fell short, while repetitive question design steadily drained user engagement.
Monetization Failure
App failed to monetize through ads, and in-app purchases.
Repetitive Questions
Repetitive Questions made the users eventually lose interest.
The Case for Reviving 1v1 Trivia
In my interviews and across Reddit and forums, players consistently said they miss QuizUp for its real time play, wide topics, and rankings. Many also looked for clones or alternatives which shows clear unmet demand.
With AI, generating fresh and varied questions becomes simple, making it much easier to overcome the problem of repetitive content.
Why this matters now
Most people between 18–34, along with teenagers drawn to fun and competition, spend hours on mobile entertainment.
While TikTok and Instagram can feel like empty distractions, trivia offers a healthier, more engaging way to connect and pass time.
SOLUTION
Introducing Quizme
A modernized 1v1 trivia experience designed as a gamified platform, enabling individuals to engage, connect, and demonstrate expertise in their areas of interest.
1v1
Trivia
Niche
Topics
Topic-wise
Leaderboard
Party
Mode
Custom
Badges
Quick
Quiz Bites
Designing for Fair Play vs. Exploitation
Companies behind games like FIFA, Clash of Clans, Fortnite, and Genshin Impact have often been criticized for exploitative monetization strategies that prioritize profits over player well-being. Source↗
On the other hand, games like World of Warcraft, RuneScape, FIFA Ultimate Team, and Pokémon GO show how players exploit glitches, loopholes, or mechanics to game the system. Source↗
The aim is to target the Fair Games Zone in the graph above.
GAMIFICATION
Gamification as the Growth Engine
Apps like Duolingo, Khan Academy, Headspace, and Codecademy mastered gamification by aligning their features with the core motivators in Bartle’s Player Type Taxonomy↗
Of Bartle’s four player types, the ones most closely aligned with Quizme’s core features are:
Killers
Driven by domination and the thrill of beating others.
Achievers
Thrive on progress, badges, ranks, and leaderboards.
01
Discovery
App's First Impression
Motivation
Curiosity, FOMO, desire to prove knowledge
Action
Try a Quick-Bite round, explore niche topics, challenge an opponent
Feedback
Instant match results, leaderboard previews, social proof
1v1 Quiz
Quick Bites
Niche Topics
Topic-wise Leaderboard
02
Onboarding
Getting used to the Game
Motivation
Build habit, feel rewarded, early recognition
Action
Play first matches, add friends, check streak, collect first badge
Feedback
Rookie Badge Unlock, Welcome Karma Streak, Personalized Stats
Active Streak
Friends
Karma Point System
Stats
Custom Badges
03
Scaffolding
Playing the Game
Motivation
Long-term Progression, Competition, Anticipation
Action
Compete in topics, manage stamina, unlock badges, track stats, play with friends
Feedback
Level-ups, Leaderboard Shifts, Evolving Badges, Stamina Recharge Notifications, Karma maintained
Stamina
Friends
Custom Badges
Karma Point System
04
Endgame
Completing the Game
Motivation
Prestige, Mastery, Identity, Community Respect
Action
Play high-stakes 1v1s, maintain streaks, climb seasonal leaderboards, show off badges
Feedback
Exclusive Status Signals, Hall of Fame, Public Leaderboard Recognition, Legendary Streak Rewards, Visible Karma Respect
Custom Badges
Karma Point System
Friends
Active Streak
VALIDATION
Testing Risky Assumptions
I identified and organized the core assumptions that needed to be validated for QuizMe to succeed as a business.
Users will play with friends and other people online (multiplayer).
The app will attract strong initial interest, ensuring a steady pool of players available for 1v1 matches.
MVP Insights
Users will play with friends and other people online (multiplayer).
I created two trivia quizzes and ran 12 simulated matches with friends and strangers across general and niche topics. Ads were tested mid-flow. I observed interactions, timed responses, and scored completion speed. Key findings revealed player behavior, helping me test if people enjoy online trivia with others.
To test my assumption I used:
Results
NPS = +92
12 Niche Topic Players
NPS = 83
Rated by General Topic Players
100%
Users watched the whole ad
Marketing Website
The app will attract strong initial interest, ensuring a steady pool of players available for 1v1 matches.
I launched a simple landing page with a bold “Sign Up for Early Access” button and tracked sign-ups to gauge my idea's appeal.
57
Visitors
20%
Sign-up
Rate
24h
Active
MONETIZATION
Monetization Done Right!
To balance engagement and revenue, I designed a freemium model where free players remain the backbone of the community while premium users unlock extended perks.
Stamina System: Players get ample stamina that refreshes every 12–24 hours, ensuring daily play without pressure. Extra stamina can be earned by watching ads or purchased, creating flexible entry points for casual and competitive players.
Smart Ad Placement: Ads appear only at pivotal moments, preventing interruptions while still driving value.
Karma Model: Inspired by Colonist.com, the Karma system ensures fairness and discourages exploitation, making competition feel rewarding rather than pay-to-win.
Premium Upgrade: For those who want more, premium unlocks include:
Ad-free experience
Unlimited stamina
Unlimited friends
Unlimited QuizBites
Ability to host themed party quizzes
This approach sustains growth by keeping free users engaged while offering clear, meaningful incentives for upgrading.
CONCLUSION
A Strong Case for the Future
A 20% conversion rate, and the sweeping success of the MVP demonstrates a massive potential for the Idea to work in the real world.
Next Steps
AI-driven question generation to keep content fresh and avoid repetition
Expand party modes and community features for deeper social engagement
Introduce cross-topic leaderboards and streaks to boost retention
Experiment with live tournaments and team play to scale excitement
Personalize gameplay using player behavior data for tailored experiences
This is just one story. See what else I’ve designed
There’s a lot more where that came from. Browse through my other projects to see how I tackle problems, experiment with ideas, and create meaningful experiences.
