Making Graphics Like it's 1993 (staniks.github.io)

Article summary

The article discusses the development of a 3D game, Catlantean 3D, which aims to recreate the feel of 1990s games using techniques from that era, including a custom-built raycasting engine and a 256-color palette. The game's creator shares their approach to asset creation, including the use of pre-rendered sprites, hand-drawn textures, and procedural generation. The game is being developed with a focus on deliberate design choices and technical limitations. The creator also discusses the challenges of working within these limitations, such as creating a colormap to achieve lighting effects.

Main themes

• Retro game development
• Raycasting engines
• Color palette limitations
• Asset creation
• Game engine optimization
• Software rendering

What commenters say

• The use of a grid of squares for raycasting, as in Wolfenstein 3D, may not be the most efficient approach, and using convex sectors with portals could be a better option.
• The Build engine's use of portals and rasterized walls allowed for more dynamic geometry and flexibility in level design.
• Some commenters argue that using modern APIs and hardware acceleration would be a more practical approach, while others appreciate the challenge and aesthetic of software rendering.
• The game's low polygon count and simple geometry may not require occlusion culling, and rendering the entire level at once could be sufficient for modern GPUs.
• The creator's approach to asset creation, including pre-rendered sprites and hand-drawn textures, is seen as a key factor in achieving the desired retro aesthetic.
• The use of a custom-built colormap to achieve lighting effects is a clever solution to the limitations of the 256-color palette.
• Some commenters suggest that pushing the game's technical limitations further, such as using ray tracing or fractal geometry, could lead to interesting and innovative results.