Play My New Game: On Your Mark
TL;DR Summary: I built a browser-based social game called On Your Mark where you secretly complete missions with other people in your group. One person hosts, everyone joins from their phone, and the game runs quietly in the background while you hang out. Try it now at OnYourMark.app.
A Sneaky Social Game You Can Play on Your Phone
It basically runs on a website and you go there, host a game, text the join link to a group, everyone joins and you progress though the game on your phones. It’s fun.
You can try it now at OnYourMark.app.
Where This Game Came From
I made this game right before a ski camp trip to Colorado. We had a group of friends together all week and I wanted something we could play quietly in the background while we were doing other things.
So I built a simple web app, we tried it… and it was a hit.
We’d be hanging out, talking, cooking, getting ready to go out, and at the same time people were secretly completing missions on each other. Lots of laughs, a little bit of paranoia, and just enough competition to keep it interesting.
Now it’s ready for other people to try, starting with you.
What Is On Your Mark?
On Your Mark is a social / interaction game that runs completely in your browser. No app store, no downloads.
The basic idea:
- One person hosts a game on OnYourMark.app.
- They send a join link out to everyone else (text, Messenger, whatever).
- Each player gets a secret “mark” (another person in the group) and a mission to complete with that person.
- If you pull off the mission without being too obvious, you tap “Completed” and you get a new mission and a new mark.
- The game keeps score and quietly tracks rounds in the background.
It’s not a loud, everyone-around-the-table type game. It’s more of a stealth game that runs alongside whatever you’re already doing.
What Kind of “Missions” Are We Talking About?
The missions are meant to be light, playful, and social. Things like:
- Get your mark to give you a thumbs up.
- Get your mark to teach you how to do something (a trick, a game, a life hack).
- Get your mark to name their top 3 favorite movies.
- Get your mark to smell some food.
- Get your mark to quote a line from a movie.
- Get your mark to take a photo of someone’s shoes.
Some are very easy, some take a bit of creativity. As the game goes on, it gradually serves up harder missions. You can always skip one if it’s not working, but you’ll lose a point (depending on how the host sets it up).
How the Game Works: Step by Step
- Go to the website: The host opens OnYourMark.app on their phone.
- Create a game: They name the game, choose a few simple options (like whether players see the live scores), and tap “Start Game.”
- Share the join link: The site gives the host a join link. They text or message that link to everyone who’s playing.
- Everyone joins: Each person taps the link, types their first name, and they’re in. No account, no password.
- Marks and missions: Once everyone has joined, players will see:
- What round they’re in
- Their current score (if the host has that turned on)
- The name of their mark
- The mission they need to pull off
- Play in the background: The game sits quietly on your phone while you’re talking, hanging out, or doing whatever. When you think you’ve completed your mission, you tap “I did it” and the game gives you a new mark and mission.
The host can see everyone’s progress and scores from their own screen, and there’s a simple admin panel where I (as the creator) can monitor how games are going in general.
When Should You Play?
This Thanksgiving weekend or over Christmas is actually a perfect time to try it.
Here are a few ideas:
- Thanksgiving weekend with family or friends
- A ski trip or vacation with a group
- Game night where you want something running “in the background”
- Youth groups, small group gatherings, retreats, etc.
It works best when people are physically together, but you could also play it with a group that’s hanging out on a video call if you really wanted to.
How Did I Make This Game?
Since I talk about this on a podcast, I’ll explain it here, too.
I used AI to help with coding. It’s just done in basic PHP. I do have this one on better hosting – not a shared account, but it’s just the code and database… pretty simple. I had AI do most of the coding, and it came up with some really great ideas, like to just send one link instead of separate links to everyone. I worked with some of the code myself – just small tweaks.
And, I’ve come out with different mission themes. I’m open to ideas for it.
Try It Now
If you want to test drive it with your family or friends this weekend, here’s the quick start:
- Grab your phone and go to OnYourMark.app.
- Tap “I’m Hosting a Game” and follow the prompts.
- Send the join link to your group.
- Play while you hang out and see who becomes the sneakiest player.
I’d love feedback on:
- Which missions were the most fun
- Any confusing moments or rough edges
- Ideas for new missions or rule variations
You can always reach me through the contact page on this site and let me know how your game went.
Have Fun and Don’t Be Weird About It
One last thing: This is meant to be light-hearted. Use common sense with who you invite into a game and which missions make sense for your group. If something feels awkward or not right for the setting, skip it and move on.
Other than that, have fun with it. Be sneaky, be creative, and enjoy the little moments that come from getting your mark to do something they have no idea is part of a game.
Ready? Head over to OnYourMark.app and start your first game.
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