Laser Tag Multiplayer

A real-time multiplayer laser tag game with a dynamic obstacle system (walls).

Table of Contents

• Features
• Tech Stack
• Installation
  • Prerequisites
  • Setup Instructions
  • Running Locally
• Game Mechanics
• Controls
• Improvements & Future Work
• License

Features

• ✅ Real-time multiplayer via WebSockets (Socket.IO)
• ✅ Collision system with walls
• ✅ Strategic wall obstacles
• ✅ Health and damage system
• ✅ Points/scoring system
• ✅ Automatic respawn
• ✅ Circular-based physics and collision detection
• ✅ Particle effects system
• ✅ HUD with player stats and leaderboard
• ✅ Audio feedback system (Shoot, Death, Collect, Power-down, Join)
• ✅ Power-ups system (Shield, Invisibility, Speed)
• ✅ Interpolation and lag compensation
• ✅ Custom favicon and UI improvements

Tech Stack

• Backend: Node.js + Express + Socket.IO + TypeScript
• Frontend: HTML5 Canvas + JavaScript (Vanilla)
• Real-time Communication: WebSockets (Socket.IO)
• Build Tools: TypeScript compiler, ts-node-dev
• Package Manager: npm

Installation

Prerequisites

Ensure you have the following installed on your system:

• Node.js (v16.0.0 or higher) - Download
• npm (v7.0.0 or higher) - Comes with Node.js
• Git - Download

Setup Instructions

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/ImaCod3r/laser-tag-multiplayer.git
   cd laser-tag-multiplayer

2. Install dependencies:

   npm install

3. Verify TypeScript installation (optional):

   npx tsc --version

Running Locally

Development Mode (with hot reload)

npm run dev

The server will start on http://localhost:3000. Open your browser and navigate to the URL. The server will automatically restart when you make changes to the TypeScript files.

Production Mode

1. Build the project:

   npm run build

2. Start the server:

   npm start

The compiled JavaScript will be in the dist/ directory, and the server will run on http://localhost:3000.

Playing the Game

• Open the game URL in your browser (or share it with others on your network)
• Players will be automatically connected via WebSockets
• The game supports multiple simultaneous players
• Use the controls to move and shoot lasers

Game Mechanics

Walls/Obstacles

Walls are rectangular objects that serve as strategic obstacles on the map:

• Block player movement - Players cannot pass through walls
• Block lasers - Shots are stopped by walls, creating strategic cover points
• Strategic positioning - Walls are placed to create challenging and balanced gameplay
• Optimized collision - Circular-to-rectangular collision detection for smooth physics

Scoring System

• Hits: Award points when you hit opponents
• Kills: Major points for eliminating players
• Leaderboard: Real-time ranking displayed on HUD
• Respawn: Automatic respawn after elimination with health regeneration

Power-ups

Loot crates spawn periodically on the map, providing temporary advantages:

• 🛡️ Shield: Extra protection and health recovery.
• 👻 Invisibility: Makes the player nearly invisible to opponents (visual feedback provided to the user).
• ⚡ Speed: Double movement speed for a short duration.
• Audio Feedback: Unique sounds for collection and when the effect expires.

Controls

Action	Key
Move Up	W or Arrow Up
Move Down	S or Arrow Down
Move Left	A or Arrow Left
Move Right	D or Arrow Right
Shoot	Left Mouse Click or Space
Aim	Mouse Movement

Improvements & Future Work

High Priority

• Improved Matchmaking - Implement ELO rating system or skill-based matchmaking
• Game Modes - Add different game modes (Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, King of the Hill)
• Map Editor - Allow users to create and customize maps
• Player Profiles - User accounts with stats, customization options, and loadouts
• Weapon Variety - Different laser types (spread shot, sniper, pulse)

Medium Priority

• Mobile Support - Touch controls for mobile and tablet devices
• Spectator Mode - Watch other players after elimination
• Chat System - In-game messaging between players
• Sound Settings - Volume control and audio preferences UI
• Graphics Settings - Resolution and performance optimization options
• Replay System - Record and playback match highlights

Low Priority

• AI Bots - Single-player practice against AI opponents
• Cosmetics - Player skins, laser colors, trail effects
• Achievements - Badge system for reaching milestones
• Tournaments - Seasonal competitive events with rewards
• Mod Support - Community-created modifications and plugins
• Analytics Dashboard - Game statistics and performance metrics

Technical Improvements

• Code Optimization - Reduce network bandwidth usage and optimize rendering
• Error Handling - Better error messages and disconnection recovery
• Unit Tests - Comprehensive test coverage for game logic
• Documentation - API documentation and architecture guide
• Performance Monitoring - Real-time FPS and latency display
• Cross-platform Build - Docker support for easier deployment

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

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Made with ❤️ by ImaCod3r