Welcome to Light Cycles: Ride into the Grid with My First Release! v0.0.1-pre-alpha

William Beeler

Hello, Programs! I’m thrilled to announce the first release of Light Cycles (working title), a Three.js-powered game inspired by the iconic Tron movie from the 1980s. Step onto the Grid, hop on your Light Cycle, and prepare to outmaneuver rival programs in a neon-charged digital world. This is my initial release, and I’m excited to share the foundation of what’s to come. Let’s dive into what you can expect!

What’s Light Cycles All About?

In Light Cycles, you’re a program battling for survival on the Grid, riding a Light Cycle that leaves a glowing trail behind you. Your mission? Outsmart and outmaneuver other programs by forcing them to crash into your trail—or avoid theirs! Inspired by the high-stakes duels in Tron, this game is all about strategy, speed, and survival in a retro-futuristic world.

This first release is my proof of concept, bringing the core of the Tron experience to life. While the Grid is still a work in progress, I’ve laid the groundwork for a greater adventure in the future.

What’s in This Release?

Here’s a quick look at what you can play with right now:

  • Ride Your Light Cycle: Take control with intuitive movement controls—move forward, back, left, and right to navigate the Grid.
  • The Grid Awaits: Explore a minimalist plane with basic geometry, setting the stage for epic Light Cycle battles.
  • Retro Vibes: Powered by Three.js, the game captures the neon glow and sleek aesthetic of the original Tron movie, with more visual polish to come.

Why I Built This

As huge fans of Tron, I wanted to recreate the thrill of Light Cycle duels in a way that’s accessible and fun for everyone. This release is my first step toward building a game that blends nostalgic charm with modern gameplay. I’m using Three.js to craft a lightweight, browser-based experience, so you can jump into the Grid without any hassle. Tron is what got me into coding, 3D modeling, and everything else that I do, so it’s the least that I could do to show my appreciation.

What’s Next?

This is just the beginning! I’m already working on:

  • Enemies to challenge on the Grid
  • Enhanced Grid visuals with glowing trails, dynamic lighting, and more Tron-inspired flair
  • Advanced controls and power-ups to deepen the strategy
  • Music, control, and other setup related abilities
  • Possibly exporting the game to Electron.js to create an open source, non-web based experience for every computer! Who knows…

I would love to hear your feedback to shape the future of Light Cycles. What features do you want to see? Let me know!

Known Limitations

Since this is my first release, the Grid is a simple plane with basic geometry, and you’ll only control a single Light Cycle for now. I’m actively working to add more depth, opponents, and polish in future updates. Thanks for joining me early on this journey!

I’m just starting this, and it’s in the pre-Alpha phase. Just wanted to reiterate that 🙂

Try It Now!

Ready to derezz the competition? Play Light Cycles now in your browser and experience the Grid for yourself. Check it out here! It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s just the start of something big.

Drop me a line with your thoughts, suggestions, or just to share your love for Tron. You can reach me via this contact form. Follow me on X@willblr for updates on the next release.

Thank you for riding with me. Let’s light up the Grid together!