Another Try is a TypeScript-first, web-native multiplayer RPG targeting WebGL2-class devices. The project focuses on procedural generation, scalable networking, and rendering techniques that remain performant on low-end hardware.

Vision: An infinite, procedural, multiplayer world that runs on low-end devices.

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Status

• Stage: Pre-Alpha (active development)
• Client: Vite + Three.js + custom GLSL pipeline
• Server: Node.js + Express + Socket.IO

Screenshots:

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Architecture Overview

• Monorepo with separate client and server packages.
• Client renders a procedurally generated world using Three.js and custom shaders.
• Server provides real-time state sync and session orchestration over WebSockets (Socket.IO) with REST endpoints where appropriate.
• Asset management via Firebase Storage (planned/experimental) to offload static/procedural artifacts.

High-level data flows:

• Player input → client-side prediction → reconciliation from server snapshots.
• Procedural terrain and environment chunks streamed/instantiated on demand.
• Deterministic seeds to ensure consistent generation across clients/servers when feasible.

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Tech Stack

• Language: TypeScript (client and server)
• Client:
  • Three.js (WebGL2)
  • Vite build tool
  • Custom GLSL shaders (terrain, water, clouds, grass impostors)
• Server:
  • Node.js 18+
  • Express
  • Socket.IO
  • Firebase (storage integration)
• Tooling / Infra:
  • GitHub Actions (frontend/backend build workflows)
  • npm workstreams (per-package scripts)

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Repository Layout

Root:

• types/ shared TypeScript types/interfaces
• .github/workflows/ CI pipelines (frontend/backend)
• LICENSE, README.md, REFERENCE_README.md

Client (Vite + Three.js)

client/
├── public/                 # Static assets and marketing images
│   ├── assets/             # Logos, GLB/FBX models, grass blades, textures
│   │   ├── images/{png,svg,pdf}/
│   │   ├── textures/       # Attributed materials (grass, dirt, rock, snow, etc.)
│   │   ├── grass/          # Grass blade albedo/alpha maps
│   │   └── models/         # Tree, ship, panel house
│   ├── textures/           # HUD sprites, menu backgrounds, water maps
│   ├── ingame*.{png,jpg}   # Screenshots
│   └── style.css           # Base landing styles
├── src/                    # Application code
│   ├── main.ts             # App entry
│   ├── controllers/        # HUD, minimap, creator UI controllers
│   ├── engine/render/      # Render pipeline (FrameLoop, RendererFactory, ResizeSystem)
│   ├── features/
│   │   ├── hud/            # HUD DOM bindings
│   │   └── minimap/        # Minimap camera/DOM/texture service + README
│   ├── lib/                # Managers (terrain, server connection)
│   ├── models/             # Scene entities and shaders (grass, cloud, hero, sky, box, sphere, demo map)
│   │   └── grass/          # Grass pipeline + GLSL shaders
│   ├── shared/events/      # Event bus, topics, contracts (+ README)
│   ├── types/              # Domain typings
│   ├── utils/              # Math, noise, model helpers, terrain utilities
│   └── workers/            # Environment web workers (main/client)
├── docs/inventories/       # Design notes (e.g., 2025-11-21-structure.md)
├── index.html              # Vite HTML entry
├── vite.config.ts          # Vite configuration
├── tsconfig.json
├── package.json
└── package-lock.json

Server (Node.js + Express + Socket.IO)

server/
├── controllers/        # HTTP/WebSocket handlers (game, map, asset proxy)
├── services/           # Backend services (assets, cache, map)
├── firebase/           # Firebase config + storage helpers
├── lib/                # REST API wiring and shared utilities
├── types/              # Shared type declarations
├── index.ts            # Server entrypoint
├── tsconfig.json
├── package.json
├── package-lock.json
└── dist/               # Compiled output (build step)

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Getting Started

Prerequisites:

• Node.js 18+ and npm 9+
• Modern browser with WebGL 2.0 support

Check versions:

node --version
npm --version

Quick Start (local, two terminals)

Client:

cd client
npm install
npm run dev

Server:

cd server
npm install
npm run start

Builds:

# Client production build
cd client && npm run build

# Server transpile only
cd server && npm run build

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Configuration

Server environment variables (create a .env in server/):

# Example placeholders — replace with real values
PORT=3000
FIREBASE_PROJECT_ID=...
FIREBASE_CLIENT_EMAIL=...
FIREBASE_PRIVATE_KEY=...   # use proper escaping for newlines in .env
STORAGE_BUCKET=...

Client configuration:

• Vite aliases and polyfills are configured in client/vite.config.ts for browser compatibility (process, stream, util).
• Assets live under client/public and are served directly in dev/prod builds.

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Development Notes

• Shaders: GLSL sources live under client/src/models/** (e.g., cloud.vert, cloud.frag).
• Rendering: Uses Three.js primitives with optimizations such as BVH acceleration (e.g., three-mesh-bvh) for interactions like character movement.
• Procedural Content: Terrain/grass/water pipelines are iterating; expect breaking changes during Pre-Alpha.
• Networking: Socket.IO used for real-time transport; client-side prediction and reconciliation are under development.

Common scripts:

# Client
npm run dev       # hot-reload dev server
npm run build     # production build

# Server
npm run start     # transpile then start dist/server/index.js
npm run build     # typescript -> dist

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Roadmap (abridged)

• Pre-Alpha:
  • Procedural terrain generation and chunk streaming
  • Base building blocks and world interaction
  • Multiplayer session sync and chat
• Alpha:
  • NPCs (fauna, humanoids)
  • Extended building system
  • Improved shaders (terrain, grass, water, atmosphere)
• Early Access:
  • Accounts and basic progression
  • Character customization
  • Day/night and weather systems
  • Chat improvements
• Open Beta:
  • Hunting, items, quests, vendors

For detailed planning and issue tracking, see GitHub Issues and Projects.

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Troubleshooting

• Ensure WebGL 2.0 is enabled in the browser; check GPU/driver support.
• Clear Vite cache when changing shader or asset pipelines: delete client/node_modules/.vite and restart dev server.
• Verify .env on the server for Firebase credentials and correct bucket names.

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License

GPLv3 — see LICENSE.

Credits

• three-mesh-bvh for spatial acceleration used in movement/collision.