Multiplayer Session Mastery

Run smooth Avalanche Trivia games by controlling the lobby, sharing codes quickly, and reacting to avalanche events with confidence.

Host ToolsPlayer CoordinationReal-Time Recovery

Host lobby checklist

Create and prepare the game

Sign in as a host and select a question set from the Sets dashboard. Starting a game automatically generates a six-character join code.
Open the new game in the host console. The lobby view loads instantly, subscribing to the players subcollection.
Use the sample video in the waiting room to brief players while you confirm everyone has joined.

Share the join information

Copy the code or the prefilled join URL from the lobby header. The `Share` button uses the Web Share API if the browser supports it.
Remind players that the join page accepts the code while the game status is `waiting`, `lobby`, `active`, or `paused`.
If someone reconnects with the same name, remove the older player entry to avoid duplicate markers on the mountain.

Start with confidence

Watch the ready count. Even though the player client does not expose a button, the value reflects any manual toggles you make in the lobby.
When the roster looks good, press `Start Game`. Every player currently in the waiting room transitions into the live gameplay screen.
Keep the lobby card open in a second tab if you expect late arrivals—you can pause the game and copy the code again without leaving the host board.

Monitor avalanches

Leave the host board visible so you hear the avalanche audio cue. It indicates a player hit a danger zone and may need help deciding on a shield.
If multiple avalanches queue, let the animation finish before navigating away. The reset call writes to Firestore at the end of the effect.
Use the event log to narrate important moments—players appreciate knowing who just survived with a shield versus dropping to a checkpoint.

Balance the field

Toggle Auto Weather on for a dynamic match or disable it when you want predictable danger zones for new players.
Adjust checkpoints from the options panel if the group is spread too far apart. Additional stations help trailing players stay engaged.
Duplicate your question set and reorder the questions if you notice long streaks forming too early or too late.

Support reconnects

Keep the join URL handy. Players can rejoin mid-round without losing shields or progress as long as they use the same browser storage.
If a player reconnects on a different device, delete the older player row immediately so the new tab owns the Firestore record.
Pause between rounds to confirm everyone sees the latest scores before moving on to the next question.

Voice or video chat

Encourage players to announce when they reach danger zones so teammates know who is at risk.
Have someone call out the current weather—blizzard expansions are easy to miss while focusing on a question.

Classroom or hybrid events

Project the host board so everyone can watch avalanches in real time while answering on personal devices.
Use the lobby list to take attendance or quickly remove unused demo players after a test run.

Tournament bracket

Export the players subcollection between rounds to capture accuracy and checkpoint data for tie-breaks.
Rotate question sets or weather patterns intentionally to keep later rounds fresh and challenging.