🚀 Getting Started
Pong Arena runs in any web browser — no download required. To jump in, create a free account on the login screen by choosing a unique display name, entering your email address, and setting a password.
Display names are uppercase, alphanumeric, and up to 12 characters long — pick something worthy of the leaderboard. All account data is stored securely via Firebase Authentication.
📅 Daily Login Bonus
Log in every day to build a streak and earn escalating bonus coins. Miss a day and your streak resets to 1 — consistency is key.
| Streak | Bonus Coins |
|---|---|
| Any day | 5 coins |
| 3+ days | 15 coins |
| 7+ days | 30 coins |
| 14+ days | 50 coins |
| 30+ days | 100 coins |
🔍 Finding a Game
After logging in you land in the Lobby, which shows a live list of open rooms. Each entry displays the host's name, level, and rank badge.
You have three options:
| Option | How it works |
|---|---|
| Join a room | Click any open room in the lobby list to join as Player 2 — the match starts immediately. |
| Create a room | Host your own room and wait for a challenger. Your room appears in the lobby for others to join. |
| Room Code | Every room has a unique short code (e.g. K7XNR4). Share it with a friend so they can join directly, skipping the lobby list. |
🏓 The Match
Matches are played on an 800 × 600 canvas — first to 10 points wins. The ball spawns in the centre at kick-off and gains a small speed boost with every paddle hit, so matches always build toward a nail-biting finish.
Control your paddle by moving your mouse or finger vertically. You are Player 1 (left paddle) when you join a room; you are Player 2 (right paddle) when you host and someone joins you.
A 3-second countdown precedes every match after both players confirm ready. A point is scored when the ball exits the screen past an opponent's paddle.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Loadout | Before ready-up, each player selects up to two power-ups for the match. |
| Forfeit | Either player may forfeit mid-match. The opponent is awarded a 10–0 win and stats are recorded normally. |
| Rematch | After a match ends, either player can request a rematch. The room resets and both players re-select their loadouts. |
⚡ Power-ups
Select up to two power-ups before each match. Speed Boost and Size Boost are always free. Premium power-ups cost coins per match, deducted the moment both players confirm ready. If you can't afford your selection the game automatically substitutes a free alternative so the match never stalls.
📈 XP & Levels
Every match awards XP regardless of result — playing consistently is always rewarded. Level up to unlock cosmetics in the shop. The level cap is Level 100.
| Result | XP Earned |
|---|---|
| Win | 100 XP base + 5 XP per point scored |
| Loss | 40 XP base + 5 XP per point scored |
| Shutout bonus | +75 XP (win with opponent on 0) |
| Close game bonus | +50 XP (win with opponent on 8+) |
🪙 Coins
Coins are the in-game currency earned through matches and daily logins. Use them in the Shop to buy cosmetics, or spend them on premium power-ups at the loadout screen.
| Source | Coins |
|---|---|
| Win a match | 10 coins |
| Lose a match | 5 coins |
| First win of the day | +25 bonus coins |
| Daily login streak | 5 – 100 coins (see Daily Bonus) |
🏆 Ranks & Seasons
Every match earns Season Points that determine your rank badge. Seasons last 30 days and are tracked globally. The top 3 players by Season Points appear on a live leaderboard visible to everyone in the arena.
Season Points: Win = 20 pts · Loss = 5 pts. Season Pass holders earn double.
🎨 Cosmetics
The Shop sells paddle skins and ball trail skins. All items are permanently owned once purchased. Items require a minimum player level to unlock — then spend coins to buy them.
Paddle Skins
| Skin | Level | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏓 | Classic | 0 | Free |
| 🔥 | Fire | 5 | 50 coins |
| ❄️ | Ice | 15 | 80 coins |
| ⚡ | Neon | 30 | 120 coins |
| 🌌 | Galaxy | 50 | 200 coins |
| 👑 | Gold | 75 | 350 coins |
Ball Trail Skins
| Skin | Level | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⚪ | Classic | 0 | Free |
| ☄️ | Comet | 10 | 60 coins |
| 🔥 | Flame | 25 | 100 coins |
| 🌈 | Rainbow | 45 | 180 coins |
| 👻 | Ghost | 60 | 250 coins |
💳 In-App Purchases
Accelerate your progression with coin packs purchased securely via PayPal. All prices are in GBP (£). Purchases are final — no refunds.
💬 Arena Chat
A floating Arena Chat widget appears in the bottom-right corner of every screen (except the login page). Any logged-in player can send a message visible to everyone currently connected to the server.
The last 50 messages are preserved and shown to newly connecting players. An unread badge on the collapsed chat pill counts messages received while the panel is closed — so you never miss the banter.
📜 Match History
Open your Profile panel at any time to review your last 20 matches. Each entry shows the opponent's name, both final scores, and the match timestamp — perfect for studying your improvement over time.