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ASCII cyberpunk city in HTML file
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Indie dev Grow Now! Games built a walkable ASCII cyberpunk city in one HTML file. It shows how simple code can create immersive 3D worlds.
Background
The project is a custom engine using JavaScript and Canvas, rendering a grid-based 3D city with ASCII characters. It gained attention for its creative approach to game development, showcasing that complex visuals aren't necessary for engaging experiences.
How it unfolded
- Aug 13, 2026Grow Now! Games posted a YouTube video showcasing the walkable ASCII cyberpunk city prototype.
- Aug 28, 2026Notebookcheck published an article about the project, highlighting its use of ASCII characters for 3D environments.
- Aug 31, 2026Boing Boing covered the project, noting it's available for £2.50 and runs as a single HTML file.
Who’s saying what
- Developer
- Grow Now! Games says the city feels alive and is built entirely from ASCII symbols, with plans to continue improving it.
- Media
- Notebookcheck and Boing Boing praise the project for its innovative use of plain text to create a 3D world.