Component Corner: Ep. 5 - Chwazi Mobile App

Have you ever been in a situation, where you and one or more people were trying to decide who would go first for the board game?  How about that large number of modern tabletop games that come with creative, thematic ways to choose the first player?  Well, sometimes those are just silly, and other times just strange, so why not allow something else decide it for you?  Today on Component Corner we take a look at the FREE mobile app created by Cesar Barscevicius known as Chwazi.  We've referenced this app multiple times in our past segments, but for this segment we specifically delve into the app to show you what it's all about. 



Per the apple store website, located here Cesar Barscevicius is the developer and copyright holder behind the Chwazi app. The app was written in 2013 and we found out about it in April of 2015 and have been using it ever since.  Holistically, it’s designed for all decision making, but we specifically use it to decide who’s going first during game nights.

Written with Ruby on Rails, the app works on a randomizer algorithm when each person touches the screen and holds their fingers in place until the app decides which one it shall choose.  When it finally decides everyone will hear a chime and if you are chosen, the color under your finger highlights and zeros in on your fingers location indicating that you are the chosen first player.   The maximum number of fingers that Chwazi reads is device dependent.  If using an iPad it reads up to 11 fingers, if using an android it reads up to 10, and if using an iPhone it reads up to 5.  You can also modify the settings to choose teams rather than individual players if you want to divide in pairs.  This app has been a lot of fun especially when we’ve introduced it to a lot of the players at our game night events.  People’s expressions are always funny to see them go from that uncertain, cringing look, to wide eyed and jaw-dropping look of shock, typically followed by, “THAT IS AMAZING!”  It makes the app all the more enjoyable to people that have never witnessed it, as well as knowing that you introduced it to them and that they will be downloading it onto their phones as well.  Chwazi makes for a completely practical and sometimes funny experience for your tabletop gaming groups.  We have it on all of our mobile devices, Androids, iPhones, and iPad.  If you’ve never used this app, but have a gaming group that you’re apart of that you think could benefit from this, you should consider downloading this one!

Have any thoughts or questions?  Leave a comment below.