Case study · EdTech · B2B SaaS · generative AI

PlayForge Academy

A specialized corporate training SaaS engineering learning that teams actually want to play. Designed to turn passive compliance training into active mastery through a dual-sided architecture: visual trail builders, AI-driven scenario curation and real-time retention diagnostics for the tutor/manager, seamlessly synchronized with an immersive, mobile-first quest journey with hearts, streaks, and skill trees for the employee.

Status
Built · no customers yet
Context
PlayForge Academy (B2B SaaS)
My Role
Tech Lead & Product Architect
Stack
Next.js, React 19, TypeScript, Tailwind, Firebase, Genkit AI
Core Focus
Dual Engine: Tutor Studio & Player Quests
Live site
playforge.academy ↗
PlayForge Academy: the tutor analytics dashboard beside the learner’s mobile quest map.
[Re-capture at 2× — the current source is 1024 px wide]

The challenge

Build a white-label platform that lets companies gamify their training, assessments and upskilling programs.

Key Design & Architecture Decisions

Dual-Sided Architecture (Tutor Studio vs. Learner Journey)

Engineered around two interconnected workflows: the Tutor/Manager drafts interactive tracks (Serpentine or Tower), tunes gameplay mechanics (hearts, timers, streak multipliers), and curates challenges; while the Collaborator experiences a frictionless, gamified mobile-first journey where every node unlocks XP, instant feedback, and mastery.

Hybrid Generative AI Challenges & Real-Time Remediation

Integrated Genkit AI with Google Gemini as primary engine (and Anthropic Claude as resilient fallback) to synthesize dynamic multiple-choice quizzes and situational reflection scenarios from corporate knowledge bases. Upon incorrect answers, adaptive AI provides real-time pedagogical explanations to turn mistakes into learning moments.

Core Gamification Mechanics & Sustained Retention

Replaced passive video/PDF completion ticks with an active mastery engine: replenishing hearts, speed and accuracy streak multipliers, skill trees, and departmental leaderboards engineered to prevent cognitive overload and superficial badge fatigue.

Real-Time Executive Analytics & Competency Evolution

Management dashboard providing HR and leadership with daily engagement metrics, actual knowledge retention vs completion rates, AI-synthesized competency gap diagnostics, and behavioral perception mirrors bridging self and managerial evaluations.

Stack

Next.jsReact 19TypeScriptTailwindFirebaseGenkit AI