Full-Stack Developer Small Team Complete Real-Time Competitive Web Application. $5,000 Fixed Budget!

I am the founder of an independent game company developing a proprietary competitive strategy game and am looking for an experienced full-stack developer or small development team to build the complete launch-ready web platform around it. This is a browser-based competitive game platform with real-time 1v1 multiplayer and long-term positioning similar to major online competitive strategy platforms. Important Budget Information Total fixed development budget: $5,000 USD. Please read this carefully before applying. $5,000 is the total fixed-price budget for the complete scope agreed upon before development begins. This is NOT an MVP budget, Phase 1 budget, prototype budget, hourly estimate, or starting point for a larger development quote. I am specifically looking for a developer/team capable of delivering the complete contracted V1 within this budget. Do not submit a proposal if your intention is to quote $5,000 for a prototype and require a substantially larger payment to finish the platform afterward. The application will be built through clearly defined milestones, but the combined value of those development milestones may not exceed $5,000 without a separately requested future project. Product The underlying game is intentionally compact and deterministic. It does not require: AI opponents Large databases of unique cards Character systems Large ability/effect systems 3D environments Physics Complex game animations Procedural worlds A downloadable game engine/client The proprietary rules and mechanics will not be disclosed publicly. The selected developer will receive the complete private technical game specification after execution of confidentiality documentation. Required Platform The completed application must include the functionality necessary to operate as an independent competitive web platform, including: Complete deterministic game engine implementing the provided specification Real-time 1v1 browser multiplayer Server-authoritative game state Strict protection of hidden/private player information Secure player registration and authentication Player profiles Player statistics Casual matchmaking Ranked matchmaking Rating/MMR system Leaderboards Private matches/challenges Match history Structured match-event logging suitable for future replay/reconstruction Disconnect/reconnect handling Responsive desktop and mobile web experience Integration of supplied branding and game artwork Free and paid account tiers Subscription/payment integration Advertising capability for free users Ad-free functionality for applicable paid users Basic administration/moderation functionality Production deployment Appropriate security, authorization and server-side validation Automated testing of the game engine and critical application functionality Technical documentation and final handoff The finished application should be clean, minimal, professional and highly maintainable. I am not looking for an overly complicated visual experience or unnecessary infrastructure. Ownership & Handoff Are Mandatory This is extremely important. The project must be developed so that my company can operate, modify, expand, reduce, migrate and continue development of the platform without the original developer after completion. The company will own/control the source repository from the beginning. At final acceptance, I must receive/control everything reasonably necessary to continue operating and developing the application, including: Complete frontend source code Complete backend source code Complete game-engine source code Database schemas and migrations Automated tests API/interface documentation Build/setup instructions Deployment configuration Environment-variable documentation Dependency inventory Applicable dependency/license information Production configuration documentation Administrative access and handoff documentation Production accounts should ultimately be under accounts controlled by my company, including applicable hosting/cloud, database, domain/DNS, payment-processing and other critical services. The platform must not depend on a proprietary developer-owned service, private internal framework, repository, account, API or infrastructure that prevents another qualified developer from maintaining it after handoff. Normal third-party operating expenses such as hosting, domains, payment-processing fees and other approved external services are separate from the $5,000 development budget. Intellectual Property The project involves proprietary game mechanics and unreleased commercial intellectual property. The selected contractor must be willing to execute: 1. Confidentiality / NDA documentation 2. Independent Contractor Development & Intellectual Property Assignment Agreement 3. Final Statement of Work Confidential mechanics will be provided only after the appropriate confidentiality agreement is executed. All project-specific deliverables must be transferred/assigned according to the final written agreement. This engagement does not offer equity, royalties, revenue share or continuing ownership in the product. Compensation is payment for contracted development services. Technical Expectations I am open to your recommended technology stack, provided it is modern, documented, maintainable and appropriate for real-time competitive multiplayer. Experience with the following is particularly relevant: TypeScript / JavaScript, React / Next.js or equivalent modern frontend frameworks, Node.js or comparable backend technology, PostgreSQL, WebSockets/Socket.IO, server-authoritative applications, authentication/authorization, payment integration, automated testing and production deployment. I am not interested in unnecessary infrastructure complexity solely for theoretical future scale. The initial architecture should be reliable and expandable without prematurely introducing expensive infrastructure that the current product does not require. Application Questions Please address the following in your proposal: Describe a real-time production web application you personally built or substantially contributed to. Describe your experience with WebSockets or equivalent real-time networking. How would you architect server-authoritative multiplayer where each player possesses information the opponent must never receive? How would you ensure private opponent information is never accidentally serialized or transmitted to the wrong browser? What technology stack would you recommend for this project and why? How would you handle disconnects and reconnects during an active competitive match? How would you store deterministic match events so replay functionality could be added later? Have you implemented matchmaking, Elo, Glicko, MMR or leaderboard systems? Describe your experience integrating subscription payments and webhooks. How would you approach automated testing of a compact deterministic strategy-game engine? What infrastructure would you use at launch, and what infrastructure would you deliberately postpone until actual traffic justified it? Will all project-specific source code be stored in a repository controlled by my company from the beginning? Can another competent full-stack developer independently run, deploy and modify your finished work using the documentation you provide? Are you applying individually or as a team? If a team, identify exactly who will have access to the confidential specification, repository and development environment. Who will personally architect and implement the core deterministic game engine? Will any portion of the work be subcontracted? Can you commit to the complete agreed scope for a maximum total fixed development price of $5,000 USD? Milestone Structure The $5,000 will be funded and released through milestones rather than paid upfront. Expected milestone categories include: Core Engine & Testing → Authoritative Multiplayer → Platform/Accounts/Competitive Systems → Monetization/Admin/Production → Final QA, Deployment & Handoff The exact allocation will be agreed upon with the selected developer before development begins. Each milestone must have objective acceptance criteria. Final payment is contingent upon successful production deployment, delivery of the agreed scope, documentation and complete handoff. Who I'm Looking For I'm looking for someone who understands that simple game mechanics and professional software engineering can coexist. I value: Simple architecture Deterministic systems Security Clean code Strong testing Good documentation Direct communication Cost-conscious engineering Long-term maintainability Complete client ownership I'm not looking for the cheapest developer available. I'm looking for the developer who can look at a deliberately compact game, understand where engineering complexity actually exists, avoid manufacturing complexity where it doesn't, and deliver the agreed platform efficiently. Budget $5,000 USD — Fixed Price — Complete Contracted V1 Please do not apply with a $10,000–$20,000 counterproposal. If you cannot deliver the listed scope within the stated budget, I completely understand, but this project will not be a fit. Future expansion may be commissioned separately after launch, but no future development contract is guaranteed or required to complete the product covered by this engagement.