Inspiration
What it does
How we built it
Challenges we ran into
Accomplishments that we're proud of
What we learned
What's next for Collision Course
Inspiration
Collision Course started from a simple observation: some of the most fun moments in games aren’t intentional—they’re glitches. From accidentally clipping through walls to launching across maps due to physics bugs, these “broken” moments often feel more creative and freeing than normal gameplay. Instead of fixing these issues, we asked: what if the bugs were the game?
We were also inspired by speedrunning communities, where players master unintended mechanics to complete games faster. The idea of turning exploits into core mechanics became the foundation of the project.
What it does
Collision Course is a physics-based puzzle-platformer where players must exploit intentional glitches to progress.
Players can:
Clip through walls by hitting corners at precise angles Stack objects to create unstable physics reactions and launch themselves Use ragdoll mechanics to squeeze through tight spaces Build up instability to trigger larger, more chaotic effects
The goal is simple: reach the end of each level—but the intended path rarely works. Success depends on understanding and mastering the game’s broken systems.
How we built it
We built the game using a custom-tuned physics system inside a game engine (such as Unity or Godot), where we deliberately introduced controlled “errors” into collision detection and rigidbody behavior.
Some systems were designed using simplified models like:
Collision failure window:
P(clip)=f(θ,v)
where $\theta$ is the angle of impact and $v$ is velocity
Instability system:
I=∑(f i
⋅t i
)
where each glitch action contributes to total instability over time
We layered these mechanics with level design that encourages experimentation, then added visual and audio feedback to help players understand when a glitch is about to occur.
Challenges we ran into
One of the biggest challenges was balancing chaos and control. Real glitches are unpredictable, but a game needs consistency to feel fair. We had to carefully tune systems so that glitches felt learnable rather than random.
Another challenge was player experience. Early versions were confusing because players didn’t realize they were supposed to break the game. We solved this by adding subtle visual cues and tutorial levels.
Performance was also an issue—stacking physics objects and simulating instability can quickly become computationally expensive.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We successfully turned something usually seen as a flaw into a core gameplay mechanic.
We’re especially proud of:
Creating a system where “bugs” feel intentional and skill-based Designing levels with multiple solutions, including advanced glitch routes Building a unique identity that stands out from traditional platformers What we learned
We learned that constraints—and even “mistakes”—can be powerful design tools. By embracing imperfection, we created more creative gameplay possibilities.
We also gained experience in:
Physics system tuning and simulation Designing for player discovery and experimentation Balancing unpredictability with fairness What's next for Collision Course
Next, we want to expand the game with:
More advanced glitch abilities (like time desync and collision toggling) A built-in speedrun mode with leaderboards and replay systems Larger, more open-ended levels with hidden out-of-bounds paths Community features where players can share their own glitch-based levels
Ultimately, we want Collision Course to become a playground where breaking the rules isn’t just allowed—it’s the only way to win.
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