Show HN: Yare 2 – Programmable RTS game

Show HN: Yare 2 – Programmable RTS game yare.io...

Hi HN! About a year ago I showed my side project Yare here (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27365961) and was overblown by the feedback and support. Since then a lot has changed and I'm excited to share the beta of 'Yare 2' (https://www.yare.io/).

The simple programming game has evolved into something a little more complex with the ability to not only control the units with code, but now practically anything is programmable. E.g. the players can build their own UI elements to play the game with (when you choose 'play with mouse and keyboard' on the homescreen, it showcases what is possible to create).

This is a passion project that I don't plan to anyhow excessively monetize and will be always free to play, but I'm worried that it's perhaps growing into a too chaotic/confusing game and losing its initial simplicity.

beck5 · 3 years ago

Thanks for creating this. I have found it pretty impenetrable though, i've spent a good few minutes trying to get some of the bots to harvest, but they never seem to move.

It feels like it could do with a bit of over the shoulder user testing.

After a while the game does get canceled which may be the root cause of the issue?

nemacol · 3 years ago

Same. I can't get my units to move the same way the "dumb-bot" is able to move their units. Mine seem to make a distance based link to chain energy back to my base?

I love RTS's and will come back after some days?weeks and try again. :D

balaji1 · 3 years ago

almost want to down-vote the post just so the game server is relieved from the HN kiss of death and I can play haha

levmiseri · 3 years ago

Thanks! The first run experience is something I'm definitely struggling with and will improve. Your issues might have been caused by the sudden traffic increase - I made some changes on the servers - it should be working a bit better now.

drekipus · 3 years ago

Looks pretty cool in idea, but the game has crashed every time I've tried to play it. I've also noticed that a lot of my energy keeps getting into negative values ( which look like a overflow to me).

I'm a big fan of 1v1 strategy games like this. but it needs more than 1 unit and 1 structure (I think). - otherwise it's just a matter of who attacks first and who has further to travel.

What's meant to be the balance of the races? triangles seemed to have more units than squares, for instance.. do they travel faster?

levmiseri · 3 years ago

Thanks! Found the bug causing most of the crashes, so it should work better now.

I think that if you give it a chance, you will find that there is a lot of strategic complexity even with only 1 unit type. Here is an example of a game between 2 humans: https://yare.io/replay/77cg1k232811g0

noasaservice · 3 years ago

I have no clue what im doing.

Like.. none. I made some energy triangles move, and then the game was "cancelled".

Oh well.

fuzzythinker · 3 years ago

One of the best intro videos I've seen. Great pacing and music. Will try to steal some essence of it when I attempt mine.

Kiro · 3 years ago

Where is the intro video?

Edit: Realised you could actually scroll down. I thought I was in the game (which I was, but it's combined with the rest of the landing page).

levmiseri · 3 years ago

Thanks! I'm working on a small album that I hope to put as some background music + sound effects into the game.

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ikiris · 3 years ago

so like... screeps?

is there a comparison somewhere?

remram · 3 years ago

There are many programming games, e.g. Robocode and Corewar come to mind. At some point, pick a game you like.

There are differences between Screeps and the others though: Screeps is a single persistent world (MMO) whereas in this one you will engage in individual 1-on-1 battles.

deweller · 3 years ago

I keep getting the "Game Canceled" error.