https://geocities.ws/peakecoin/games/the_peake/index.html
I need feedback on how the game plays as well. Thank you.
In this post, we’ll explore how ASCII art can dramatically enhance the visual experience of a text-based RPG. We'll walk through real examples from the Peake RPG project and how a few lines of code created a whole new level of immersion.
🎯 Code Excerpts Included
✅ Room Rendering System
We updated the getDetailedRoomDescription() function to prepend ASCII art to room descriptions if the ascii field is present:
function renderRoomDescription(room) {
let description = `${room.name}\n\n${room.description}`;
if (room.ascii) {
description = `${room.ascii}\n\n${description}`;
}
return description;
}
🏙️ Town Center (Before/After)
Before:
Town Center
The central plaza bustles with villagers and merchants.
After:
_______
| |
| Plaza |
|_______|
/ \
/_______\
Town Center
The central plaza bustles with villagers and merchants.
🔨 Blacksmith Forge
( )
( )
| |
/ \
| FIRE |
\___/
The forge glows with heat as hammers clang rhythmically.
🐉 Dragon’s Den Gaming Hall
||||||||||
/ SPLINTER /
< TOURNAMENT >
\_________/
Welcome to the Dragon’s Den. Champions gather to battle for glory.
🌲 Dynamic Wilderness: Procedural ASCII
function getWildernessAscii(env) {
switch (env) {
case "forest":
return "🌲🌲🌳\\n🌳🌲🌲";
case "desert":
return "🏜️ 🏜️\\n 🐍 🏜️";
case "mountain":
return " /\\\\n / \\\\n/ \\\\";
default:
return "";
}
}
🌀 Mysterious Spawn Chamber
[ DOOR A ] [ DOOR B ]
�� ��
Which magical path will you choose?
🛠️ Technical Sections
Implementation Details:
- Minimal code change by injecting ascii string field to room objects
- ASCII art rendered before description using simple template logic
Best Practices:
- Keep width under 40 characters
- Use consistent symbols and spacing
- Favor clarity over complexity
Before/After Comparisons:
ASCII adds atmosphere, scale, and tone to an otherwise flat text description. Try toggling ASCII on/off and see the difference.
🎨 Design Philosophy
Consistent Formatting:
Used box-drawing characters (|, _, /) for structure
Clear Navigation:
Rooms with exits now use indicators like:
Exits: [N]orth, [E]ast
Meaningful Emojis:
Emojis like ��, ��, ��️ help convey quick recognition and emotional tone
Player Position:
Future goal: highlight “YOU ARE HERE” in room center using:
[ YOU ]
💡 Future Enhancements
- Animated ASCII using frame switching
- Seasonal/weather-based ASCII overlays
- Player-generated ASCII art support
- Dynamic art via procedural ASCII engine
Created by the PeakeCoin Project