A retro-futuristic social hub blending 2000s nostalgia with science fiction storytelling
Live Site: https://robustpvp-lang.github.io/before-us-universe/
Before Us Universe (BUU) is an interactive web experience that combines:
- Multi-channel chat system with 5 distinct servers (Sam, Exuro, Nero, Nora, Loktal)
- Persistent message boards for longer-form discussions
- Real-time presence tracking across all servers
- Retro aesthetic inspired by early 2000s web design with a sci-fi twist
- Integration with revival sites preserving classic internet services
- Live Chat Rooms: Real-time communication across multiple themed channels
- Message Boards: Persistent posts that survive beyond the 24-hour chat deletion
- Server Switching: Jump between different communities with glitch transition effects
- User Presence: See who's online across all servers in real-time
- Typing Indicators: Know when other users are composing messages
- Dice Rolling: Built-in
/d6and/d20commands for tabletop gaming
- CRT Monitor Effects: Authentic scanline overlay for retro computing feel
- System Feed: Live status updates and user activity stream
- Marquee Messages: Scrolling system broadcasts with retro flair
- Glitch Animations: VHS-style visual effects during transitions
- Timeline Stability Indicator: Sci-fi themed system status display
- Project Ortega: Hidden easter egg (click 18 times to unlock)
- Fleet Command: Under-construction space strategy game
- Tactical Command: Military-themed game interface
- Entity System: Mystery game component
- Mind Game: Experimental interactive experience
- Sora.AI Integration: AI-generated content galleries
- Stumble Button: Random discovery across linked revival sites
The site employs a retro-futuristic aesthetic combining:
- Yahoo! Messenger style chat bubbles and user lists
- Windows 98 panel borders and button styling
- DOS/Terminal boot sequence and system messages
- Press Start 2P pixelated font for headers
- Roboto Mono for body text
- Teal/cyan (#00ffff) and yellow (#ffcc00) accent colors
- Deep space background imagery
- Pixel art UI elements and status indicators
- React 18 (via UMD + Babel Standalone)
- Vanilla CSS with CSS Grid and Flexbox
- Custom animations for glitch effects, VHS distortion, and UI feedback
- Firebase Realtime Database for live chat and presence
- Firebase Authentication (Anonymous sign-in)
- Real-time listeners for chat, boards, and user presence
- Auto-purge system: Chat messages delete after 24 hours
- Idle timeout: 10-minute inactivity returns to boot screen
- Message deduplication: SHA-256 hashing prevents spam
- Disconnect handling: Automatic presence cleanup on tab close
The site promotes Patrick McDonald's "Before Us" book series:
- Book 1: "Melphia's Game" (available for purchase)
- YouTube Channel: @Patrickauthor
- SpaceHey Profile: Social presence on MySpace revival
- DND Campaign: "To Kill a Mocking Goblin" board
The site includes an iframe-embedded directory of classic internet revival projects (view the /revival.html page for the complete list), including:
- Messaging: MSN Messenger, AIM, Yahoo! Messenger revivals
- Social Networks: MySpace, Windows Live Spaces clones
- Video Platforms: YouTube clones (2009, 2012/2013 eras)
- Web Hosting: GeoCities revival
- Search Engines: Historical Google and Yahoo! Search replicas
- Gaming: Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Miiverse, Flashpoint archive
- Flash Preservation: Ruffle emulator
Each server has its own theme and community:
- //Sam - Primary community hub
- //Exuro - Default starting server
- //Nero - Alternative community space
- //Nora - Dedicated community channel
- //Loktal - Specialized interest group
Built-in chat commands for gaming:
/d6- Roll a 6-sided die/d20- Roll a 20-sided die
- Desktop: Full grid layout with sidebar server tracking
- Tablet (< 980px): Single-column layout, server list moves to top
- Mobile (< 600px): Compressed UI, smaller fonts, touch-optimized controls
- Anonymous Authentication: No email or personal data required
- Handle-based Identity: Users choose their own display names
- Ephemeral Chat: Messages auto-delete after 24 hours
- Persistent Boards: Message board posts remain indefinitely
- Presence Tracking: Online status visible across all servers
- Project Ortega: Click the button 18 times to reveal hidden content
- Glitch Effects: Random VHS distortion during server switches
- Timeline Stability: Randomly fluctuating percentage (80-90%)
- Particle Effects: Floating pixels in the marquee bar
- Sci-Fi Ads: Time travel tours, teleporters, Mandela Effect attorneys
- Fleet Command: Space strategy game
- Tactical Command: Military tactical simulator
- Entity System: Mysterious game mechanic
- Mind Game: Psychological puzzle experience
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/robustpvp-lang/before-us-universe.git
# Open index.html in a web browser
# No build process required - runs entirely client-sideThe site uses Firebase for real-time features. The config is embedded in the HTML but you'll need your own Firebase project for development.
Community project. Individual linked revival services maintain their own terms.
This is primarily an artistic project tied to the "Before Us" book series, but suggestions and bug reports are welcome!
- Live Site: robustpvp-lang.github.io/before-us-universe
- Author YouTube: @Patrickauthor
- Author SpaceHey: Profile
- DND Campaign: To Kill a Mocking Goblin
- Book Preview: Read First Chapter
- PayPal: paypal.me/pmcdon13
- Venmo: @hisrobustness
- Purchase Book: Available via site button
"Timeline stability.. 84%" — System Broadcast
Built with nostalgia for the old web and hope for the future. 🕰️✨