An overview of how Ceramic Games works, how to create custom games, and how to host a live session.
I. How the System Works
Ceramic Games is a set of browser-based game apps—including Jeopardy, Family Feud, and standalone buzzers—designed for group play. It uses standard web browsers and requires no mobile app downloads.
A game session uses three main windows:
The Player Display Screen: Shown on a main TV, projector, or screen share. It displays the main game board, categories, questions, timer bars, and intro videos.
The Host Control Panel: Opened on the host's laptop, tablet, or phone. It displays answer keys, questions, timer controls, and score adjustment buttons.
The Player Mobile Buzzer: Opened on participants' mobile phones. Players scan a QR code shown on the main display screen to join the room and tap their screen to buzz in.
II. Account Setup & Custom Game Creation
If you want to create your own game questions, you can register an account and use the built-in game editor.
Registering an Account
Go to the Games Portal (`/games/`). Under "Editor Login", click "Need an account? Register". Enter a username and password. This creates a user account where your saved games will be stored.
Creating a Game in the Editor
After logging in, your dashboard displays your saved games. Click "+ Jeopardy" or "+ Family Feud" to create a new game:
Jeopardy: Fill in category names, question prompts, and correct answers for each dollar value. You can also configure Double Jeopardy and Final Jeopardy.
Family Feud: Add survey rounds with question prompts and list answers alongside their point values.
💾 Saving and File Export: Click "Save" to save your game to your account. You can also click "Download JSON" to save a copy to your computer. Saved JSON files can be imported back into the editor at any time.
III. Setting Up Before Game Time
Before players join, set up your display screen and audio:
Display Setup
Connect your laptop to your TV or projector (using HDMI, AirPlay, or screen sharing).
Open the Player Display Screen window and move it to the TV screen.
Open the Host Control Panel window (`?role=control`) on your laptop screen. This keeps the answer keys visible to you while remaining hidden from the players.
Audio Setup
Check that your computer's audio is routed to the TV or room speakers. You can test sound effects by playing the intro video from the host control panel.
IV. Joining and Hosting
Once your screens are set up, players can connect their devices and the game can begin.
Player Connection & Reconnection
Players open the camera on their phones and scan the QR code on the TV screen (or visit the room URL). They enter their name and optionally choose a team color.
If a player's phone screen locks or switches tabs during the game, re-opening the browser tab automatically re-establishes their connection to the room without losing their name, team, or score.
Hosting the Round
Selecting Questions: Click a question square on your host board. The question appears on both the TV screen and your host panel.
Handling Buzzes: When a player taps the buzzer on their phone, a chime plays, the question timer pauses, and the player's name appears on the display. The host panel shows who buzzed in first as well as subsequent buzzers.
Scoring: Click the team's award button to update points on the display. If the answer is incorrect, you can resume the timer for remaining players.
V. Link and QR Code Generator
Use this form to generate links and QR codes for your game session:
Do players need to install an app? No. The game runs entirely in standard mobile web browsers.
Can I host a game on one laptop screen without a separate TV screen? Yes. When launching Jeopardy or Family Feud, select "Single Screen". Controls and answers will be available directly beneath the game board.
How are simultaneous buzzes handled? The server records buzz timestamps to order players by who buzzed in first.