Stopia Guide

Stopia is a timing game where you stop a running timer right on the target time. Here is how to get the most out of it at events, in class and on stream.

1. Rules and controls

The timer counts up from zero. Stop it as close to the target time as you can (15 seconds by default, or 10 seconds, or anything you like). Land within the tolerance and you get MISSION SUCCESS; otherwise it's MISSION FAILED.

• Press SPACE once to start, again to stop, and once more after the result for the next round.
• You can change the start/stop key and the reset key in Settings › Game.
• On phones and tablets, just tap the screen to start and stop. To use a mouse click on a PC, turn on "Click the screen to start · stop" in Settings › Game. Gamepads work too.
• The target can also be randomized every round (Settings › Game › Random target every round).

2. Setting the success rule

Adjust the difficulty to suit your players and the mood.

• Percent tolerance: how close counts as a success, as a percentage of the target. With a 10-second target and 1%, anything from 9.90 to 10.10 seconds wins.
• Custom range: set the early and late tolerance separately, so you can make rules like "going over always fails".
• Strict judging: no tolerance at all — you have to hit the target exactly to the displayed unit. Great for a final round with a prize on the line.

If most players are new, start generous (3–5%) so people taste success, then tighten it round by round to build excitement.

3. Using it at events and in class

A good running order

1. In Settings › Text, change the title to your event name (e.g. "Spring Party Time Challenge").
2. In Settings › Game, set the target time and tolerance.
3. For more tension, turn on Blind mode (the clock hides after a few seconds) and the Dramatic reveal in the Effects tab.
4. In Settings › Operate, set a PIN lock so players can't open the settings by accident. Game controls keep working.
5. Go full screen and start! Enter player names to record results, then show the leaderboard for the prize ceremony.

Great for

• Company and school events: icebreakers, year-end parties, breaks at sports days
• Classrooms: time-perception experiments, focus activities, team battles
• Stores and booths: "stop at exactly 10 seconds and win a gift" promotions
• Streams: viewer challenges and penalty games

4. Projector and OBS output

Splitting the host screen from the audience screen makes running the game much easier.

1. Click Open output window in Settings › Operate.
2. Move the new output window to the projector or second monitor and press F11 for full screen.
3. Keep controlling and changing settings from the original window. Keys pressed in the output window are forwarded to it too.

Streaming with OBS? Set the background to Chroma key in Settings › Design and add a chroma key filter to a window capture, or use the Transparent (broadcast) background to lay just the timer over your stream.

5. Customizing the screen

• Themes and design: pick a theme such as Neon or Glass, then change fonts, colors, gradients and text effects.
• Screen editor: press the edit button in the bottom menu to drag, move and resize the title, timer and hints — just like PowerPoint.
• Insert elements: add logo images, text boxes and shapes to finish your event screen.
• Sound effects: turn on start, stop, success and fail sounds, or replace them with your own files (mp3, wav, ogg).
• Save and share: save your design as a .stopia file and open it on any other computer.

6. Player records and leaderboard

• Enter a player name in Settings › Records before each turn and the result is saved with that name.
• Press L or the trophy button in the bottom menu to show the leaderboard.
• Export records as CSV to work with them in a spreadsheet.

7. Tips for nailing 10 seconds

1. Count with a steady rhythm: "one-Mississippi, two-Mississippi" keeps each second more even than a quick "one, two, three".
2. Account for reaction time: it takes about 0.1–0.2 seconds from deciding to pressing. If you press after finishing "ten", you'll often be late — try pressing as you start saying the last number.
3. Keep the beat with your body: tapping a toe or finger keeps the rhythm steadier than counting only in your head.
4. In blind mode, the first seconds matter: lock in your rhythm while the clock is visible, then carry the same beat after it hides.
5. Relax: nerves tend to speed up your count. Take one long breath out before you start.

8. FAQ

Is it free? Do I need to install anything?

It's completely free with nothing to install. Just open the address in a browser like Chrome, Edge or Safari.

Where are my settings and records stored?

There are no accounts — everything stays in the browser you're using. To move to another computer, save a .stopia file and open it there.

Does it work on phones and tablets?

Yes, in both portrait and landscape — just tap the screen to play. Connect a Bluetooth keyboard or gamepad and it works just like on a PC. For big events, a laptop with a projector works best.

How accurate is the timing?

It uses the browser's high-resolution clock and judges to 1/100 of a second. Switch the time format to 1/1000 and judging follows to 1/1000 of a second.

Is there a Korean version?

Yes — use the 한 button in the bottom menu or visit stopia.site.