Earlier or Later

How to play

1. 1

   The game lasts eight rounds. Everyone hears the same original instrumental sound capsule, written as a first-party code score without third-party recordings or samples.

2. 2

   A capsule is not a historical recording and does not imitate a named song or artist. It was created to evoke one hidden target year from the 1950s through the 2020s.

3. 3

   The shared timeline starts with neutral markers at 1960, 1990, and 2020. Place the sealed capsule into one gap; other players’ choices stay private until reveal.

4. 4

   Also choose the capsule’s most prominent sound feature from three options. Playback starts only when you press play and may be repeated; you have 40 seconds for both decisions.

5. 5

   Press Confirm to lock the answer. Neither the gap nor the feature can be changed afterward. An unconfirmed local choice earns nothing when time runs out.

6. 6

   When everyone answers or time expires, the target year, original title, sound design, and every player’s placement are revealed.

7. 7

   The exact gap earns 250 points, an adjacent gap earns 100, and any farther gap earns 0. The correct sound feature adds 50, for a maximum of 300 per round.

8. 8

   Every revealed capsule becomes a new marker on the shared timeline, so later rounds have more precise gaps.

9. 9

   Spectators may listen and follow the timeline, readiness, and reveal, but cannot answer. Nobody sees another placement or the target year before reveal.

10. 10

    Reveal lasts up to 18 seconds; after 5 seconds the host may continue. Retries and reconnects never create a second answer or award.

11. 11

    The highest total after eight rounds wins; tied leaders share the win. The maximum game score is 2,400.

12. 12

    Sound is required for the full game. A neutral text description is always available, gap controls support mouse, touch, and keyboard, and there is no autoplay.