Who / What
HQ was a mobile trivia game app that allowed users to join live daily trivia shows and win or split real‑money prizes. Developed by Intermedia Labs and created by Vine founders Rus Yusupov and Colin Kroll, the app was originally known as HQ Trivia and played multiple‑choice questions in rapid, 10‑second time limits.
Background & History
HQ was first released in 2017 for iOS, Android, iPadOS, and tvOS. The app was built by Intermedia Labs, a company that partnered with the creators of Vine. The original game, HQ Trivia, introduced a live format where players answered increasingly difficult questions within a tight time window. The experience quickly attracted a wide audience due to its combination of competitive trivia and real‑money stakes.
Why Notable
HQ popularized the concept of live, prize‑based trivia on mobile platforms, setting a new standard for interactive game shows. Its design, with time‑limited rounds and escalating difficulty, kept players engaged and incentivized frequent participation. The app’s success highlighted the viability of live content in mobile gaming and influenced subsequent live‑game‑show applications.
In the News
Since its 2017 launch, HQ has maintained a presence in the mobile gaming landscape, continuing to host daily live trivia sessions that offer cash prizes. The real‑time question format remains a key feature that distinguishes it from other trivia apps and keeps its player base active.
