The show must go on(line)

A York-based company has evolved its product to provide much needed entertainment to quiz lovers under lockdown

SpeedQuizzing, which normally runs an interactive quiz platform in pubs across the country using LAN (local area networks), has come up with a solution that enables its hosts around the UK to run fast-paced, interactive, online quizzes, with players able to join for free and play through their smart devices from the safety and comfort of their own homes.

The new online hosting platform and a free-to-download app, SQLive, was developed in less than two weeks and has already launched as a Beta amongst the firm’s quiz hosts.

Speaking about the development process SpeedQuizzing co-founder Alan Leach said: “Normally a development like this would take us a year, and we’d never really considered this an avenue for us, knowing there were others already in the space. However with the lockdown looking imminent we were conscious that our users might find it useful and fun.

“And since the Beta launch we’ve seen our users embrace this as a viable option and been approached by a number of potential new customers.”

The system requires a reliable internet connection and two devices – an Android device with the app enabled to play the quiz, and a second internet-enabled device, to connect to the video communications platform Zoom, enabling them to hear and interact with each other.

Speaking of choosing zoom as a interface, Leach added: “The challenge we had was ensuring as little latency between players and the quizmaster as possible, to ensure it was fare for everyone. We looked at various platforms before deciding Zoom gave us the perfect answer.”

“We hope that, during these difficult and extraordinary times, our app will serve to bring people together, remotely of course, and provide some much needed entertainment and fun, with people able to enjoy everything that’s great about the pub quiz from the safety and comfort of their own home.

Leach continued “We’re still working hard to add further bells and whistles. As part of this work, we’ll be making our app compatible with Apple devices too.”

During the interview, Leach also spoke about the impact of Covid-19 on the business and whether this new development could grow to overtake their original business model. “It was a worrying time”, he said, “we’d just hired a new developer and wondered whether we might have to let them go. However since developing SQLive we’ve seen new business opportunities come forward, meaning that’s not a worry at the moment. ULtimately, I don’t think this will ever takeover our core business but hopefully work alongside it, as ultimately we’re passionate pub quiz and the social interaction the deliver, but never say never.”

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close