Show HN: Ghost Pro Racing 3D Async Multiplayer Arcade Racing in HTML5 (opens in new tab)

(gamesnacks.com)

3 pointsandvari_bekho5mo ago14 comments

Hi HN!

I built a 3D arcade racing game in HTML5 using PlayCanvas.

It features arcade-style physics inspired by OutRun, with PS1/Dreamcast-style graphics. The multiplayer is asynchronous: you race against the “ghosts” (replays) of up to 7 other players, and after finishing a run you can share a link with a friend so they can race your ghost 1v1. The game currently has 20 tracks, plus a “daily challenge” mode with procedurally generated tracks.

We’ve tested it on both desktop and mobile. It supports touch and keyboard controls, though I personally prefer playing with a keyboard in landscape mode. I’d love feedback on the controls, performance, and overall fun factor. And I hope to see your names on the leaderboard!

14 comments

gus_massa5mo ago

Nice, it defectively reminds me of OutRun.

4:09.88

Add a few fake slow cars, because otherwise it's too lonely :(

It's nice to try and later build the profile, but I think it should be easier to discover.

gus_massa5mo ago

Too late to edit: More feature requests:

From some TrackMania videos, you can play against with your own last/beast ghost.

I guess you are picking the 7 fastest car or the last 7 cars (that are mostly hardcore users), so they are quite fast. Is it possible to add a few slow cars, perhaps select a mix of times?

Bonus imaginary points for:

* my car obliviously :)

* the fastest/last 7 cars

* 6 cars selected with an even distribution. If the fastest is 1 minute and the slowest 4 minutes, let's say approximately 1:15, 1:45, 2:15, 2:45, 3:15, 3:45

* 2 cars with a time close to the expected time of the player. If in the last round the player got 2:17, let's pick an old car with 2:07 and another with 2:27, so the player has two ghost nearby.

andvari_bekhoOP5mo ago

Hey gus_massa, thanks a lot for the feedback! Those are some really cool ideas.

For the other players you see in the race, we’re currently picking random players from the database. It would definitely be nice to select a mix of fast, average, and slower cars for a more balanced distribution (that was our original plan), but unfortunately the GameSnacks API doesn’t support that feature yet. Since some hardcore users play a lot, their ghosts tend to show up more often in the pool.

Right now you can already see your own ghost car in the Daily Challenges, but being able to see your “best time ghost” in the standard races is also a really cool idea!

1 more reply

andvari_bekhoOP5mo ago

I have to double check, but I think you can still play without creating a profile if you just close the popup and skip it. However, after completing a race, the game will prompt you again to create a profile in order to save your time.

gus_massa5mo ago

For the first time in years I'm complaining that it's too hard to notice that I can create a profile. :)

1 more reply

bigjobby5mo ago

This is ridiculous! Love it. Already shared on my socials

andvari_bekhoOP5mo ago

Thanks for sharing! I really appreciate it, glad you’re enjoying it :)

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

Show HN: Ghost Pro Racing 3D Async Multiplayer Arcade Racing in HTML5 (opens in new tab)

(gamesnacks.com)

3 pointsandvari_bekho5mo ago14 comments

Hi HN!

I built a 3D arcade racing game in HTML5 using PlayCanvas.

14 comments

gus_massa5mo ago

Nice, it defectively reminds me of OutRun.

4:09.88

Add a few fake slow cars, because otherwise it's too lonely :(

It's nice to try and later build the profile, but I think it should be easier to discover.

gus_massa5mo ago

Too late to edit: More feature requests:

From some TrackMania videos, you can play against with your own last/beast ghost.

I guess you are picking the 7 fastest car or the last 7 cars (that are mostly hardcore users), so they are quite fast. Is it possible to add a few slow cars, perhaps select a mix of times?

Bonus imaginary points for:

* my car obliviously :)

* the fastest/last 7 cars

* 6 cars selected with an even distribution. If the fastest is 1 minute and the slowest 4 minutes, let's say approximately 1:15, 1:45, 2:15, 2:45, 3:15, 3:45

* 2 cars with a time close to the expected time of the player. If in the last round the player got 2:17, let's pick an old car with 2:07 and another with 2:27, so the player has two ghost nearby.

andvari_bekhoOP5mo ago

Hey gus_massa, thanks a lot for the feedback! Those are some really cool ideas.

Right now you can already see your own ghost car in the Daily Challenges, but being able to see your “best time ghost” in the standard races is also a really cool idea!

1 more reply

andvari_bekhoOP5mo ago

gus_massa5mo ago

For the first time in years I'm complaining that it's too hard to notice that I can create a profile. :)

1 more reply

bigjobby5mo ago

This is ridiculous! Love it. Already shared on my socials

andvari_bekhoOP5mo ago

Thanks for sharing! I really appreciate it, glad you’re enjoying it :)

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse