Project ideas from Hacker News discussions.

Reverse Engineering SimTower

Original Article

Hacker News Discussion

📝 Discussion Summary (Click to expand)

Key Themesfrom the Discussion

Theme	Supporting Quote
Nostalgic love for the original game	“I loved this game so much. Can't wait to see Santa.” — findalex
Interest in the open‑source clone & QoL patches	“Very cool! I used to play this game … Would you be open to QoL patches?” — taejavu
Praise for AI’s role in reviving the classic	“What a great use of AI. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.” — ryeguy_24

🚀 Project Ideas

Generating project ideas…

Retro Game Enhancer Chrome Extension#Summary

Adds QoL features such as auto‑save, hint system, and layout suggestions to the open‑source HTML clone.
Lets players enjoy the nostalgic game with modern conveniences while preserving its original feel.
Core value: Makes daily play more accessible and engaging for retro puzzle fans.

Details

Key	Value
Target Audience	Fans of classic puzzle games, Hacker News readers, retro gaming enthusiasts
Core Feature	Browser extension that augments the clone with auto‑save, hints, and customizable UI
Tech Stack	JavaScript (Chrome Extension API), React, CSS
Difficulty	Medium
Monetization	Revenue-ready: $2.99 one‑time premium unlock

Notes

HN commenters have asked for QoL patches; a polished extension would attract paying users.
Potential for community contributions and sharing of custom layouts.

Daily Cathedral Challenge Mobile App

Summary

Turns the classic clone into a daily habit with curated levels that aim for the cathedral.
Provides AI‑driven layout hints and a global leaderboard to motivate repetition.
Core value: Adds fresh, repeatable content to a nostalgic game.

Details

Key	Value
Target Audience	Retro gamers, mobile puzzle lovers, Hacker News community members
Core Feature	Mobile app offering daily cathedral‑target puzzles, AI hints, and leaderboards
Tech Stack	React Native, Node.js backend, Firebase Firestore
Difficulty	Medium
Monetization	Revenue-ready: $4.99 per month subscription for ad‑free and premium packs

Notes

Users nostalgic for the game mentioned wanting to finally reach the cathedral; daily goals address that.
Shareable score posts could spark viral discussion on HN and other platforms.

Community Layout Builder Web Service

Summary

Web platform where users design, share, and rate custom levels for the clone.
Includes a gallery, mod marketplace, and export tools for community‑created content.
Core value: Extends the game’s longevity through user‑generated layouts.

Details

Key	Value
Target Audience	Modders, game developers, Hacker News enthusiasts who enjoy open‑source collaboration
Core Feature	Drag‑and‑drop level editor with JSON export and a public gallery of community layouts
Tech Stack	Next.js, TypeScript, PostgreSQL
Difficulty	High
Monetization	Revenue-ready: 5% transaction fee on paid mods

Notes

Discussion in HN asked for custom layouts and community sharing; a builder satisfies that need.
Could generate sustainable revenue while keeping the core game open source.