Show HN: Wormhole for Perplexity Comet
9 days ago
- #game-development
- #web-games
- #procedural-generation
- The game 'Wormhole' was developed as a replacement for the Chrome Dino game and included in the Comet web browser by Perplexity.
- Development followed a process of rapid prototyping, careful scoping, and focus on the central mechanic.
- Prototype 1 featured a simple one-button interaction where players controlled a comet's speed to avoid space debris.
- Prototype 2 introduced space golf/billiards mechanics, inspired by procedural generation in games like Elite and Mario Kart.
- Prototype 3 refined the game into a never-ending belt of galaxies with improved transitions and game feel, later ported to JavaScript using LittleJS.
- The game features procedurally generated galaxies with varying gravity, slingshots, trick shots, and wormholes that can help or hinder.
- Players experience the same series of galaxies but at their own pace, with replays available for amazing shots.
- Some features like additional obstacle types and video replay exports were cut during development.
- Final touches included visual designs by Perplexity's team, sound design with digital audio, and high polish details like particles and parallax.