Slow Roads elevates browser-based gaming to new heights.
Many PC gamers dream of having a completely customized PC outfitted with the latest and finest technology. With the arrival of new premia hardware alternatives such as Nvidia's RTX 4090 Founders Edition GPUs, AMD's new Zen 4 Ryzen 9 7950X, and Intel Core i9 13900k CPUs, this pull is powerful right now. PC gamers all over the world are planning their next build.
But, if we're honest, that dream may be a little further away than we'd want. With bills, the economy, global shortages, and whatever comes next, it's a tall objective. A new PC that can accomplish everything is unlikely to be in my immediate future. I'm so grateful for folks who create amazing things, like this zen-driving game that plays in a browser window.
Slow Roads is an infinite randomly generated driving game that you can play in your browser for free. Its creator, Anslo, just shared a video of their game running on Twitter, declaring that the project was complete. The video shows the game running in various surroundings and at different times of day, and it's instantly evident that this is a very outstanding effort that really advances browser-based gaming.
"Slow Roads exists primarily as an examination of procedural landscape generation, but also as an exercise exploring the limits of JavaScript 3D application development. This project is a nostalgic love letter to the rolling hills of the Peak District, as well as the arcade rally games I used to play for hours as a kid. As a technological demonstration, I hope to raise the bar and dispel misconceptions about what can be performed in a browser "On the Slow Roads website, Anslo explains.
After 16 months of work I'm ready to share https://t.co/8FtBldzYAe, my project to procedurally generate scenic landscapes, packaged as a chill driving game. Built with @threejs to run in your browser - no logins, no installs, just roads...#threejs #procedural #webgl pic.twitter.com/ri9Xsypjmf
— anslo (@anslogen) October 22, 2022
It's a little mind-boggling to load Slow Roads in the browser. There is no need to log in or go through any hoops, and the game simply runs. Perfect for when you need to get away from work for a few minutes and hit the open road. Or to marvel at some fantastic masterpiece created by a developer that doesn't care what GPU you have.
Once in the game, you have several alternatives for your road trip. Staying on Earth allows you to explore the steep roads in many regions, or you can travel to the Moon, Mars, or Venus. You can choose between driving, riding a bike, or using the bus at any time of the day.
Anslo explicitly wants to keep the game free, but he is collecting donations to help fund potential future improvements. This includes controller and racing wheel support, which would be really appreciated. Slow Road is a beautiful little vacation, and taking a break from the piano will really enhance it.
Other suggested features include more places and cars, as well as enhancements to weather effects and lighting. Competitive modes and leaderboards are also on the table if there is enough demand. Slow Roads will also be optimized for lower-end PCs, delivering the infinite driving experience to even more browsers throughout the world.
For those interested in how Anslo did it, they're planning a series of blog pieces to describe the process, as well as a FAQ on the Slow Roads website. Pick-up-and-play games like Slow Roads are ideal for a fast browser-based escape, and their ease of use is a distinct advantage. Let's hope this pattern continues. I'm excited to see what additional ideas turned browser-based adventures make it into my favorites folder.
