InterfaceWalkthrough

The holding space players see after joining but before the host starts the game.

• A looping MP4 plays in the background so players can confirm the tab is still active.
• Top-left labels show the game name, the join code, and the host-selected status (Waiting, Active, Paused).
• The ready counter reflects how many players toggled ready in the database. Hosts can still start even if the number is zero.
• If the host removes a player from the lobby the waiting room immediately returns to the join screen.

Tip: If a player only sees the waiting room video frozen, have them refresh before you start – it means their Firestore listener paused.

Where most of the action happens for participants climbing the mountain.

• Question text renders at the top. Multiple choice answers appear as stacked buttons; true/false questions show two wide buttons.
• The Submit button is disabled until an option is selected. If a timer is configured the bar above the question shrinks every second.
• After submitting, the encouragement banner explains whether the streak continues or a danger zone was triggered.
• The progress badge in the header displays the player’s position (0–100) and percentage completed.
• Avalanche shield prompts overlay the screen when a shield is available. The interface now rumbles for three seconds when a danger zone triggers so the decision modal is impossible to miss—`Use Shield` consumes it immediately; `Save It` keeps the shield for the next danger zone.
• Map & Compass, tunnel, and fork prompts replace the answer grid with event-specific controls and timers. Resolving the modal returns you to the main question flow without losing streak context.
• When hosts enable labels, the path markers swap from white rocks to colour-coded danger zones so players can double-check the avalanche range before answering.
• Pressing `Escape` closes informational modals such as the shield-unlocked toast.

Tip: Use the encouragement banner to diagnose desyncs. If it never updates after you answer—or the rumble does not fire during an avalanche—refresh before the host advances to the next question.

A live visualisation of player positions plus management controls.

• The mountain path shows each player icon, checkpoints, and any active danger zones. Weather icons (Sunny, Snowy, Blizzard) appear above the board.
• Real-time stats (questions answered, correct answers, percentage) display beside the board; they update whenever the player document changes.
• The Options modal adjusts checkpoints and weather. Saving writes directly to `games/{gameId}` so clients update instantly.
• In fullscreen mode the Options overlay now includes the ranger station slider, letting you pick 4–8 checkpoints without exiting presentation mode.
• The Events feed logs shield unlocks, avalanche triggers, Map & Compass pickups, fork outcomes, tunnel jumps, and manual host actions with timestamps.
• When labels are on, checkpoints and danger dots adopt the same colour palette the players see, making it easy to confirm weather-based expansion.
• Hosting controls along the top let you play/pause background music, trigger avalanches manually for testing, or copy the join link again.

Tip: Keep the board tab focused while avalanches resolve. Browsers throttle background tabs, which can delay the animation signal that resets players.