Inspiration
We’ve seen countless retro games brought back — but what about the operating systems we used to live on? From Windows 95 to Mac OS 9, these digital worlds shaped our earliest tech memories. HauntOS brings those experiences back — not just with vintage design, but by layering in mystery, interactivity, and even horror. Imagine booting into a fake OS like HauntOS 1989 and discovering cryptic files, flickering windows, and user-left messages. It’s nostalgia meets narrative.
What it does
HauntOS is a browser-based simulation of vintage and fictional operating systems. It features: Boot screens with old-school sound effects Interactive UI: start menu, apps like notepad, fake browser, and image viewer "Leave behind" feature: users can leave notes or files others will discover later A haunted OS variant filled with flickering windows, broken apps, and mysterious clues It’s part digital art, part interactive story, part nostalgia bomb.
How we built it
Frontend: HTML, CSS, and vanilla JavaScript to recreate the layered, windowed UI Pixel fonts, CRT-style filters, retro cursor icons Audio elements (boot sounds, typewriter clicks) tied to interaction Backend (Flask): Flask serves the entire app, switches between OS environments, and handles routing API routes to submit and fetch user “leave behind” notes/files Figma: All OS interfaces designed with pixel-perfect layouts and icon sets
Challenges we ran into
Recreating an OS feel in a browser using only frontend tools Making each OS look and feel distinct without becoming too heavy Syncing frontend animations (like typing or glitches) with sound Setting up anonymous user interactions without login/auth Balancing horror Easter eggs with usability
Accomplishments that we're proud of
Fully functioning fake operating systems with boot flows, apps, and sound Immersive haunted OS experience with narrative-driven UX Implemented multiplayer-like features without accounts or complexity Seamlessly integrated Flask backend with a creative frontend Turned a simple browser project into a story-rich interactive platform
What we learned
How to use Flask to power multi-state frontend apps How to use Flask to power multi-state frontend apps and manage dynamic routes Designing for retro nostalgia requires creative constraint simpler UX can feel more immersive and authentic Browser-based apps can replicate full OS-like experiences through layered UI and thoughtful design Audio design dramatically enhances emotional and nostalgic engagement Even simple multiplayer-style mechanics (like leaving behind notes) can add mystery, depth, and replay value Most importantly, we learned how to work effectively as a team, manage our time under pressure, and turn a big idea into a working product all within a short hackathon timeline
What's next for Rewind OS
Add more fictional and fan-made OS themes (e.g., “ZomByte OS”, “Neon95”) Expand the haunted narrative with deeper lore and hidden storylines Enable users to build or customize their own fake OS Build a timeline feature to track discoveries and notes left behind Possibly turn it into a social mystery game or interactive art project
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