Slap Out

WorldID: 10242540384629880

Inspiration

We wanted to create a competitive game that anyone could play quickly with one hand, without losing the intensity of timing, reactions, or personality. Most Horizon Worlds projects rely on two-handed controls, so we set out to design a true mobile-first experience that still felt expressive, fast, and fun.

What it does

Slap Out is a portrait-mode, timing-based fighter built for quick one-on-one matches. Well-timed slaps deal full damage, while mistimed attacks or defenses leave players open. Custom animations for slaps, defenses, knockouts, and emotes give every moment impact.

Players earn currency and spend it on cosmetic slaps, knockout sequences, emotes, titles, and banners. The game features six original NPC personalities and a dynamic two-announcer system that reacts to match events. Matchmaking is fast, dropping players straight into action.

How we built it

We built Slap Out around thumb-friendly mobile controls and simple, rhythmic timing. All combat interactions use custom animations tailored for quick matches. We added a progression system for cosmetic unlocks and designed the announcer system to pull from a large library of situational lines. Each NPC was given a distinct look and personality to create an arcade-style roster.

Challenges we ran into

We solved early avatar-overlap issues by adjusting animation roots. Learning and implementing Noesis UI was another major challenge, but it allowed us to build smooth one-handed menus. Balancing timing speed, responsiveness, and match flow required several rounds of iteration. Fine-tuning the announcer system took time so dialogue felt varied and well-timed.

Accomplishments that we’re proud of

We’re proud of building a fast, accessible game that still rewards precision and skill. The animations, announcers, and NPC personalities add energy and character.