Quake in 13 Kilobytes
The first-person shooter game Q1K3 recreates the classic Quake experience using JavaScript and HTML5, all within a file size of just 13 kilobytes. It was submitted for the js13kGames competition, which challenges developers to create games under that strict size limit.
Background
- js13kGames is an annual competition where developers must create a browser game that fits in 13 kilobytes (13,312 bytes) or less — about the size of a single low-resolution image. This extreme constraint pushes participants to write incredibly compact code.
- Q1k3 is a playable clone of id Software's 1997 classic Quake, a landmark first-person shooter known for its 3D real-time rendering, textured polygons, and fast-paced multiplayer deathmatches.
- The original Quake shipped on CD-ROM and used a dedicated graphics engine (the Quake engine), requiring megabytes of data. Recreating a recognisable version inside 13KB of JavaScript/HTML means the developer had to build a software rasteriser, a simple 3D level, enemy AI, and controls — all from scratch, with minimal code.
- It matters because it showcases the artistry of extreme code golf and technical constraint: a game that once required a powerful PC and a CD can now run in a browser tab from a snippet smaller than most email signatures.