AO3dle is a daily web-based guessing game that challenges players to compare two characters from Archive of Our Own and pick which one has more fanfiction works, using real-time AO3 tag counts.
What is AO3dle?
AO3dle is a browser-based trivia game that tests knowledge of fanfiction volume on Archive of Our Own. Each round presents two characters (e.g., Pikachu from Pokémon with 5,491 works vs. Princess Peach from Super Mario) and asks players to select which has more fanfiction stories. The game runs on a daily puzzle cycle, tracks streaks and best scores, and includes a live chat feature where players discuss results and strategies.
Key Features
- Daily character comparisons — Each day offers a new pair of characters drawn from fandoms like Pokémon, Super Mario, My Hero Academia, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and many more, with visible work counts from AO3.
- Streak and best score tracking — The interface displays a current streak counter and a personal best record, encouraging daily engagement.
- Live chat — Built-in chatroom lets players react to comparisons, share tips (e.g., “if the fanbase is mostly women or the character has a famous ship, pick that one”), and vent about surprising results.
- Image-backed character cards — Each character is shown with a portrait, their source franchise, and the exact AO3 work count (e.g., Pikachu: 5,491) to aid decision-making.
- Normal mode — The only mode visible; no hard or easy mode is listed, but the simple binary choice keeps the game accessible to casual fans.
Who is it for?
- AO3 regular readers — Players who browse Archive of Our Own frequently and can guess which characters dominate fanfiction counts based on fandom popularity and shipping culture.
- Fandom trivia enthusiasts — Anyone who enjoys comparing fandoms and learning which characters drive the most creative output on AO3.
- Casual gamers — The simple two-choice format requires no account creation and takes under a minute per day, fitting into a quick break routine.
What can you do with AO3dle?
- Test your AO3 knowledge daily: Each day, pick between two characters and see immediately whether your guess matches the real AO3 work count — then discuss the result in the live chat.
- Compete with friends: Compare streaks and best scores by sharing your results; the chat often shows players mourning lost streaks or celebrating long runs.
- Discover surprising fandom trends: The game frequently reveals unexpected outliers (e.g., Glaceon with ~70k works, Hot Pants with over 100k), prompting players to investigate why certain characters attract disproportionate fic volume.
How does AO3dle work?
Each day at a reset time, the site loads a new pair of characters and their current AO3 tag counts. You click the character you believe has more fanworks. After your choice, the correct answer is revealed along with both numbers. Your streak increments if correct or resets to zero if wrong. The chat remains open all day for discussion.
FAQ
Is AO3dle free?
Yes, the game appears to be free with no paid tiers or subscriptions visible. Some users report ads that can cause site reloads and break streaks, but no premium version is mentioned.
How does AO3dle get its fanfiction counts?
The site likely pulls tag counts directly from Archive of Our Own via its API or a periodic scrape. Chat comments suggest counts may be outdated for some characters (e.g., Alastor from Hazbin Hotel, Cherry Bomb), so numbers reflect the snapshot at the time of data collection.
Why does Pikachu have more fanworks than Princess Peach?
According to the displayed data, Pikachu (5,491 works) beats Princess Peach because Pokémon’s massive, cross-generational fanbase and extensive shipping culture produce a high volume of fanfiction — even for non-human characters.
