xkcd recently released Machine, an ambitious project that allows users to build a collaborative rube goldberg machine. The project took 3 weeks and involved a large group of contributors. The team faced challenges in designing constraints, ensuring player expressiveness, and implementing moderation. The use of React and a physics engine called Rapier helped render the complex machines created by users. The project had a unique moderation system that prioritized interesting designs for the machine. Despite some limitations, Machine showcased the creativity of the internet community. The project is a testament to collaborative creation and experimentation in interactive comics.
https://chromakode.com/post/xkcd-machine/