# todos

DONE: split out the letters wit hregisters (make a couple calls per letter?) - new function in api with route that hits wordlist/{letter}


# Game Concept Proposal: Hyperlocal Signage Collection App

This proposal outlines a concept for a location-based mobile game centered around the discovery and collection of words found on real-world outdoor signage. Drawing inspiration from popular educational collection mechanics (such as the Pokémon Pokedex), the application turns the player's local town into an interactive dictionary experience.

## 🕹️ Core Game Loop

The player navigates their local environment, taking photographs of street signs and outdoor signage. The goal is to collect, categorize, and track the words encountered.

### Key Features & Data Capture

Each sign photographed triggers the capture and storage of multiple layers of data:

*   **Image:** The raw photograph of the signage.
*   **Geolocation:** The precise GPS coordinates where the photo was taken.
*   **Word Identification:** Crucially, the system identifies the words within the image. *However*, it does not store every word; it focuses specifically on registering and tracking **newly encountered words**.
*   **Social Sharing:** Players can track their personal collection and share their discoveries with friends.

## 🔍 Unique Mechanism: The "New Word" System

The most distinctive feature of the application is the focus on novelty. The system is designed to filter and store only words that are new to the player's or community's dictionary.

This mechanism directly influences the public map display:

1.  **Limited Map Data:** The map populated for other users will *only* display the **new words** found in the area, not the total volume of signs or words available.
2.  **Strategic Asymmetry:** This restriction prevents immediate "spoiling" of the experience. By limiting visibility to only unique, undiscovered entries, the game maintains a sense of exploration and mystery for subsequent players.

## 📈 Conclusion: Strategic Value

By implementing this focused data capture and map display method, the application achieves a high degree of **geographical asymmetry**. This ensures that even if a sign has been photographed before, the excitement of finding a *truly new* word remains high, promoting continued exploration and engagement within the local community.