A developer created an incredibly small, playable first-person shooter inspired by Doom that fits entirely within the data capacity of a QR code. The game, called "Backrooms DOOM," leverages extremely limited graphics and simple gameplay mechanics to achieve this feat. Scanning the QR code redirects to a webpage where the game can be played directly in a browser.
A software developer, operating under the alias "Kuberwastaken," has achieved a remarkable feat of miniaturization by creating a fully functional, first-person shooter game reminiscent of the classic title "Doom," and compressing it to such a degree that its entirety can be encoded within a standard QR code. This project, dubbed "Backdooms," demonstrates a surprising level of efficiency in game development and compression techniques. The game itself, though limited by the extreme constraints of its size, retains core elements of the Doom experience, including navigating a 3D environment, engaging in combat with hostile entities, and collecting items. The QR code, when scanned, directs users to a web page where the game can be played directly within a web browser, eliminating the need for any downloads or installations. This remarkable achievement showcases the potential for creating and distributing compact, playable games using widely accessible technology like QR codes and web browsers, pushing the boundaries of what's possible within such a limited format. The project's source code is openly available on GitHub, allowing others to examine the underlying implementation and potentially contribute to its development or adapt the techniques used for other creative endeavors. This miniaturized game is not intended to be a full-fledged Doom replacement, but rather a demonstration of technical ingenuity and a novel approach to game distribution.
Summary of Comments ( 123 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43729683
Hacker News users generally expressed admiration for the technical achievement of fitting a Doom-like game into a QR code. Several commenters questioned the actual playability, citing the extremely limited resolution and controls. Some discussed the clever compression techniques likely used, and others shared similar projects, like fitting Wolfenstein 3D into a tweet or creating even smaller games. A few questioned the use of the term "Doom-like," suggesting it was more of a tech demo than a truly comparable experience. The practicality was debated, with some seeing it as a fun novelty while others considered it more of a technical exercise. There was some discussion about the potential of pushing this concept further with future advancements in QR code capacity or display technology.
The Hacker News post titled "Show HN: I made a Doom-like game fit inside a QR code" generated a significant number of comments (over 100 at the time of this summary). Many expressed fascination with the technical achievement of fitting a functional game within such a small space.
Several commenters discussed the technical aspects of the project, including the use of procedural generation, custom rendering engines, and data compression techniques. Some inquired about the specific choices made in these areas and how the author managed to overcome the limitations of size. There was a particular interest in the level generation and how it achieved a sense of variety within the constraints.
A few commenters drew parallels to other size-constrained projects, such as .kkrieger and other demoscene productions. They discussed the historical context of these types of projects and how they push the boundaries of what's possible within limited resources.
Multiple users expressed admiration for the ingenuity and creativity displayed. Some considered it a form of art, appreciating the technical skill and the novelty of the concept.
Some commenters shared their experiences playing the game, noting its surprising playability despite the technical limitations. They commented on aspects like the controls, the difficulty, and the overall feel of the game.
There was some discussion regarding the practicality and potential applications of such technology. While acknowledging it as primarily a demonstration of technical skill, some speculated on its potential use in areas like embedded systems or extremely low-resource environments.
One compelling comment thread revolved around the ethical implications of potentially malicious uses of QR codes, where a seemingly harmless QR code could lead to unexpected or unwanted outcomes. This sparked a conversation about security awareness and the importance of verifying the source of QR codes before scanning them.
Another engaging discussion centered around the broader trend of miniaturization and optimization in software development. Commenters debated the value of such endeavors, contrasting the pursuit of extreme efficiency with the potential trade-offs in terms of development time and maintainability.
Finally, several users expressed a desire to see the source code and understand the inner workings of the project, leading the original poster to share a link to the GitHub repository. This sparked further technical discussion and analysis of the codebase.