# jakesgordon/javascript-racer

How to build an outrun-style racing game in javascript

Repository: https://github.com/jakesgordon/javascript-racer
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/javascript-racer
Homepage: https://jakesgordon.com/writing/javascript-racer/
Language: HTML
License: MIT
License Family: permissive
Last push: 2025-06-01T22:30:05+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 43/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-03T02:20:16.233290+00:00)
- activity 24, release rhythm 35, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 5192, "days_push": 458, "days_rel": null, "gap_med": null, "n_releases_24m": 0}
- flags: no_releases
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 1155, forks 510 (observed 2026-08-28T04:03:47.815750+00:00)

## What it is
An Outrun-style pseudo-3D racing game built in HTML5 and JavaScript, presented as a four-part incremental tutorial with playable demos and written explanations of the rendering mechanics. It is a tech demo and learning resource rather than a finished game or reusable engine.

## Use cases
- learn how pseudo-3d racing games render curves and hills
- build an outrun-style racing game in javascript
- understand retro arcade road rendering techniques
- find a starting point for a browser-based racing game
- study canvas-based game rendering step by step

## When to choose
- you want to learn the mechanics behind pseudo-3d road rendering
- you need a simple, readable codebase to prototype a racing game from
- you prefer tutorial-style incremental examples over a full engine

## When to avoid
- you need a polished, finished game
- you need a production-quality, well-structured codebase
- you need mobile browser support or guaranteed performance
- you need a reusable game engine with proper architecture

## Facets
- artifact type: learning-resource
- maturity: maintenance
- function: game-engine, graphics, simulation
- domain: tutorials, graphics
- platform: browser
- tags: pseudo-3d, racing-game, html5-canvas, outrun-style, tutorial-series, tech-demo, game-development, javascript

## Member repositories
- jakesgordon/javascript-racer (main) score 43

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:03:47.815750+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-30T06:32:13.240662+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/jakesgordon/javascript-racer (fetched 2026-08-28T04:03:47.815750+00:00, sha 403564d140fa)
  - homepage: https://jakesgordon.com/writing/javascript-racer/ (fetched 2026-08-29T12:37:31.072583+00:00, sha a9683376d1b0)
  - site_page: https://jakesgordon.com/about (fetched 2026-08-29T12:37:31.081917+00:00, sha da7ababde225)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.