Mario In the Wild

Video Demo

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/xxbGCspypoy2fgdV/

GitHub Link

https://github.com/kushb007/laughing-engine

Inspiration

We drew our inspiration from the idea of combining real-world locations into fun, nostalgia-inducing gameplay using Mario Kart. We wanted to put places that people know and can relate to together with the fun and fast-paced experience of racing games. With the Google Maps API, we were able to take real-life, easily recognizable locations and create imaginative, challenging Mario Kart-style race tracks.

What it does

"Mario in the Wild" is a Mario Kart-inspired game that takes a user-selected location from Google Maps and converts it into a custom race track. Players can control characters to race around these real-world inspired tracks, with CesiumJS rendering detailed location imagery as the backdrop, making every race feel immersive and unique.

How we built it

We used Pygame for the game mechanics, handling player controls, physics, and sprite animations. CesiumJS provided the rendering of 3D map visuals based on coordinates from the Google Maps API, allowing us to convert real-world locations into interactive, playable environments. By layering gameplay elements on top of these locations, we created a seamless blend of familiar map visuals with dynamic, arcade-style racing.

Challenges we ran into

One of the biggest challenges was handling the performance demands of rendering large map areas in conjunction with Google Maps imagery in real-time while keeping the game lightweight and responsive; we found that utilizing a static skybox lead to a vast increase in performance.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re proud of successfully merging real-world data with an interactive game environment, making it possible to race on maps from almost anywhere on Earth. Creating a visually cohesive experience with CesiumJS and Pygame while maintaining smooth gameplay was a major achievement for our team.

What we learned

We learned a lot about integrating various APIs and managing the complexities of real-world data in a game setting. This project deepened our understanding of Pygame, CesiumJS, and Google Maps API, as well as the nuances of balancing graphical performance with user experience in real-time games.

What's next for Mario In the Wild

Next, we plan to add more character options, multiplayer support, and custom track options, allowing players to personalize their racing experience further. We’re also exploring the addition of dynamic weather effects based on the real-time weather of chosen locations to enhance immersion.

Built With

• cesiumjs
• google-maps
• pygame
• python