When I first started working on my GeoGuessr-inspired project, I knew it would be a challenge.
GeoGuessr is a popular game where players guess locations based on Google Street View images. I wanted to create something similar but with my own twist. To make it happen, I relied on a mix of tools and APIs.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the key components that made my project possible.
1. Google Maps API: The Backbone of the Project
The first thing I needed was access to street-level imagery.
Google Maps API was the obvious choice.
It’s powerful, reliable, and widely used. I used the Google Street View Static API to fetch random street images.
This API lets you request a static image of a specific location. You can control the image size, angle, and even the field of view.
One challenge was getting random locations. Google Maps doesn’t provide a direct way to fetch random street views. So, I had to get creative. I used the Google Geocoding API to convert latitude and longitude into human-readable addresses. This helped me ensure the locations were valid and accessible.
Pro Tip: Google Maps API isn’t free beyond a certain limit. I started with the free tier, which gives you $200 in monthly credits. For small projects, this is usually enough. But as my project grew, I had to monitor usage closely to avoid unexpected costs.
2. Leaflet.js: Mapping Made Easy
For the map interface, I chose Leaflet.js. It’s an open-source JavaScript library for interactive maps. I liked it because it’s lightweight and easy to use. With Leaflet, I could display the map, add markers, and let users interact with it seamlessly.
I integrated Leaflet with the Google Maps API to show the guessed location and the actual location side by side. This gave players a clear visual of how close or far they were from the correct spot.
Leaflet is used by big names like GitHub, Pinterest, and The Washington Post. It’s a testament to how powerful and versatile this library is.
3. Firebase: Handling Backend and Database
I needed a way to store user data, like scores and game history. For this, I turned to Firebase. Firebase is a backend-as-a-service platform by Google. It offers real-time databases, authentication, and hosting—all in one place.
I used Firestore, Firebase’s NoSQL database, to store user data. It’s scalable and works well for small to medium-sized projects. Firebase Authentication helped me manage user sign-ups and logins. This saved me a lot of time, as I didn’t have to build these features from scratch.
Note: Firebase has a free tier, but like Google Maps, it comes with limits. I kept an eye on my usage to avoid hitting these limits unexpectedly.
4. React.js: Building the Frontend
For the frontend, I chose React.js. React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. It’s component-based, which made it easy to break my project into smaller, reusable parts. For example, I created separate components for the map, the game controls, and the scoreboard.
React’s state management was a lifesaver. It allowed me to update the UI dynamically as players interacted with the game. For instance, when a player guessed a location, the map would update instantly to show the correct spot.
5. OpenStreetMap: A Free Alternative
While Google Maps was my primary choice, I also explored OpenStreetMap(OSM) as a free alternative. OSM is a collaborative project to create a free, editable map of the world. It’s not as detailed as Google Maps, but it’s a great option if you’re on a tight budget.
I used OSM’s Leaflet plugin to display maps in some parts of the project. It worked well, but I noticed that the street-level imagery wasn’t as comprehensive as Google’s. Still, it’s a solid backup option.
6. Mapbox: Adding Custom Styles
To make my maps visually appealing, I used Mapbox. Mapbox is a mapping platform that lets you create custom map styles. I integrated it with Leaflet to give my maps a unique look.
For example, I used a dark theme for the map interface. This made the game feel more immersive and modern. Mapbox also offers 3D maps and satellite imagery, which I experimented with in later versions of the project.
Did You Know? Mapbox powers maps for companies like Snapchat, The New York Times, and Instacart. It’s a great tool if you want to stand out with custom map designs.
7. Netlify: Easy Deployment
Once the project was ready, I needed a way to deploy it. I chose Netlify for its simplicity and speed. Netlify is a platform for deploying static websites. It supports continuous deployment, which means every time I pushed changes to my GitHub repository, Netlify would automatically update the live site.
Netlify also offers free SSL certificates, which made my site secure without any extra effort. The free tier was more than enough for my needs.
8. Challenges I Faced
Building this project wasn’t without its challenges. Here are a few hurdles I faced and how I overcame them:
Random Location Generation: As said above, Google Maps doesn’t provide random street views. I had to write a custom script to generate random coordinates and check if they were valid. This took some trial and error.
API Rate Limits: Both Google Maps and Firebase have rate limits. I had to optimize my code to reduce unnecessary API calls. For example, I cached frequently used data to avoid hitting the limits.
Cross-Browser Compatibility: Some features worked differently across browsers. I used Babel to transpile my JavaScript code, ensuring it worked consistently everywhere.
Finally...
So this project was a rewarding experience. It helped me to learn new tools and think creatively. If you’re thinking of starting a similar project, I hope this article gives you a good starting point.
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