diff --git a/content/posts/2021-08-08-fun-with-pen-and-paper-race-cars.md b/content/posts/2021-08-08-fun-with-pen-and-paper-race-cars.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..56ba8d4 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/2021-08-08-fun-with-pen-and-paper-race-cars.md @@ -0,0 +1,63 @@ +--- +title: "Fun with Pen and Paper: Race Cars" +date: "2021-08-08" +--- + +I recently came across some fun games that can be played using nothing but a +pen and some paper. One of those games was called "Race Cars" and I wondered +how on earth you would play a racing game on paper, and the answer is: simple +math! + +## The core idea + +The goal of the game is to cross the finish line of a hand-drawn race track +first without hitting the edge. Race cars have a velocity that can be adjusted +each move. If you're too greedy, you will crash. If you hit the breaks too +early, another player will win. + +## How it's played + +We start out with a hand-drawn race track. The shape really can be anything you +like. Just be creative! + +![A race track on paper](/assets/paperracer/0.jpg) + +Next, each player makes a cross on the starting line. This resembles the +players racecar. Right now, none of the cars is moving. They have a velocity of +0 on the x axis and 0 on the y axis. + +![Two crosses on the starting line](/assets/paperracer/1.jpg) + +Each move, a player can accelerate or decelerate his vehicle by 1 on any axis. +The first move of each player is somewhat obvious. They want to accelerate +straight forward. On our race track, that means accelerate by 1 on the y axis. + +![A race car made a move](/assets/paperracer/2.jpg) + +Next, we can either keep on accelerating like the red player does, or "turn" +our vehicle left by changing our y velocity from 0 to -1, which gives us a +velocity of -1, 1. + +![Paper race cars after two moves](/assets/paperracer/3.jpg) + +On a long stretch, the red player wants to overtake blue by keeping his foot on +the paddle. Blue on the other hand plays it safe and hits the breaks. + +![Paper race cars on a long stretch](/assets/paperracer/4.jpg) + +Soon after, red realizes his mistake. Being so busy trying to turn, he's unable +to hit the breaks. A crash is inevitable. Blue however continues to take the +turn nice and slow. His humble mind brought him victory! + +![The red player right before crashing into a wall](/assets/paperracer/5.jpg) + +## It's all about fun + +The concept of this game is very flexible. You can play it with a friend and +see who's the fastest paper racer, or by yourself and try to beat your record. +Getting tired of just cruising around? Introduce the concept of "items" that +give you a boost or slow down the opponent (think Mario Kart!). If ordinary +tracks are boring, try adding intersections or obstacles. Can you add a third +dimension? The sky is the limit. Get out there and be creative. + +This is post 018 of [#100DaysToOffload](https://100daystooffload.com/). diff --git a/public/assets/paperracer/0.jpg b/public/assets/paperracer/0.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8c0eb71 Binary files /dev/null and b/public/assets/paperracer/0.jpg differ diff --git a/public/assets/paperracer/1.jpg b/public/assets/paperracer/1.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6aaa365 Binary files /dev/null and b/public/assets/paperracer/1.jpg differ diff --git a/public/assets/paperracer/2.jpg b/public/assets/paperracer/2.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..50156c5 Binary files /dev/null and b/public/assets/paperracer/2.jpg differ diff --git a/public/assets/paperracer/3.jpg b/public/assets/paperracer/3.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..afa8dfd Binary files /dev/null and b/public/assets/paperracer/3.jpg differ diff --git a/public/assets/paperracer/4.jpg b/public/assets/paperracer/4.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f3f0e9e Binary files /dev/null and b/public/assets/paperracer/4.jpg differ diff --git a/public/assets/paperracer/5.jpg b/public/assets/paperracer/5.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8d38f7e Binary files /dev/null and b/public/assets/paperracer/5.jpg differ