Developer Creates 3D City Entirely Out of ASCII Characters

Modern computing power enables tasks previously unimaginable, with graphics approaching photorealism. However, some enthusiasts are turning back to explore early computer methods, driven by nostalgia or an appreciation for creative solutions under severe constraints.

One example is a project that has ported an original x64 version of Word from Windows 1.1a to modern platforms, allowing it to run directly on Windows 11 computers. This reflects a similar interest in early computer art forms.

ASCII art, which uses only letters, numbers, and symbols to create visual scenes, is another such format. A developer under the name Grow Now! Games has pushed this concept further by creating an explorable 3D city entirely out of ASCII characters. The project employs no 3D models, shaders, or traditional graphical assets.

Instead, a small, self-developed engine drives various characters to form a complete 3D world. The system records information such as building heights. To render each frame, the renderer shoots rays from the camera into a grid, determining the first object hit, then calculating perspective, depth, and object size based on distance, while also handling occlusion between objects.

The engine also implements collision detection, vehicle movement, and object sorting. Objects closer to the player are rendered with larger, brighter characters, while characters become smaller and dimmer with distance, eventually fading into the black background. This process creates a distinct sense of depth, making a world composed solely of ASCII characters appear as a credible 3D space. The developer stated the project is currently a small prototype with plans to explore new approaches in the future.