Tag: retro-gaming

  • KARTLAND Pre-Release is LIVE on HYTOPIA. Get Ready to Race!

    KARTLAND Pre-Release is LIVE on HYTOPIA. Get Ready to Race!

    We’re thrilled to announce the Pre-Release launch of KARTLAND, a high-octane arcade racer developed by longtime HYTOPIA community member Ricardo/Hammy.

    Master your drift, unleash chaos, and race across vibrant themed worlds; whether you’re competing solo against challenging CPUs or battling other players online.

    The World of KARTLAND

    KARTLAND is where style meets chaos in the most colorful way possible. This arcade racer delivers the pure joy of competitive racing with a unique twist that only HYTOPIA can offer. Whether you’re drifting through snowy peaks or blazing across desert dunes, every race is a fresh adventure.

    Tracks & Worlds

    Race across 13 unique tracks, each set in its own stunning themed world:

    • ❄️ Snowy Peaks
    • 🏜️ Desert Dunes
    • 🏙️ City Streets
    • 🌲 Pine Forests
    • 🏝️ Tropical Islands
    • 🏰 Dark Dungeons
    A colorful arcade racing scene from KARTLAND featuring a racer in first place on a track surrounded by abstract buildings and power-ups.
    An arcade racing game scene in KARTLAND, featuring colorful karts racing on a snowy track with a blue sky and cloud backdrop. The HUD displays player controls and collected coins.
    A colorful arcade racing scene in KARTLAND, showcasing a kart driven by a character amidst pixelated scenery, with power-ups and obstacles visible in a vibrant environment.
    A colorful arcade racing scene in a desert-themed environment from the game KARTLAND, featuring several racing karts, power-ups, and vibrant cactus structures under a sunset sky.
    An arcade racing scene from KARTLAND showing a colorful driving environment with a vehicle collecting power-ups and coins amidst transparent block structures.

    Each world features its own island in the online hub. Jump through portals or use the quick-select menu to dive straight into the action.

    Diverse Game Modes

    KARTLAND offers five distinct ways to play on every track:

    • Single Player: Compete against 7 CPU racers to claim the gold trophy.
    • Multiplayer: Race with up to 8 players online (with CPU bots filling open slots) to prove you’re the fastest on the server.
    • Time Trial: Push your limits to chase the world’s best lap times. Beat the top record to upload your Ghost globally for others to challenge.
    • Ghost Race: Race against the fastest recorded runs and earn a trophy if you beat their time.
    • Block Smash: A unique single-player mode combining racing and chaos. Smash through walls, chain combos, and climb the global leaderboard within a 1-minute time limit.

    Customization & Rewards

    Win races and collect coins during gameplay to build your collection. Head to the in-game Shop to unlock new karts and drivers, letting you show off your personal style on the track.

    Colorful kart racing scene featuring vehicles racing on a sandy track with palm trees and obstacles in the background.
    Colorful arcade racing scene in KARTLAND featuring multiple karts competing on a vibrant sandy track adorned with large pixelated mushrooms.

    Meet Ricardo/Hammy: The Creator Behind KARTLAND

    We sat down with Ricardo/Hammy to learn about his background, his journey on HYTOPIA, and the creation of KARTLAND. Ricardo is a designer from the Netherlands with a background in illustration, animation, 3D modeling, and interface design. After years away, he returned to game creation, fueled by passion for the HYTOPIA platform.

    Ricardo’s journey is a powerful testament to the accessibility of the HYTOPIA SDK.

    “I’m not a developer, I’m actually a designer,” Ricardo shares. “I always liked to create and draw stuff, but I was always dependent on developers to build my ideas.”

    That changed when he discovered AI tools like Cursor combined with HYTOPIA’s SDK. Starting with simple examples and leveraging community support, Ricardo transformed from someone who didn’t know what an IDE was to creating one of the most anticipated games on our platform.

    Working just 10 hours a week as a passion project alongside his day job, Ricardo proves that HYTOPIA democratizes game development. His journey from explorer in 2021 to game creator in 2024 showcases the platform’s evolution and potential.

    Built on HYTOPIA’s Vision

    KARTLAND exemplifies what HYTOPIA stands for; empowering creators regardless of their technical background. Ricardo rates the experience a 7/10 for non-developers, crediting the SDK’s MCP server, helpful documentation, and especially the supportive community for making his dream possible.

    “The community has been great. I’ve gotten answers to all my questions, guidance, and even DMs from other developers helping me,” Ricardo notes, highlighting the collaborative spirit that makes HYTOPIA special.

    The Pre-Release launch marks just the beginning of KARTLAND’s journey. Ricardo’s commitment to delivering a polished first experience means players can expect quality gameplay even in this early stage, with continuous improvements based on community feedback.

    Be Part of the Racing Revolution

    KARTLAND represents more than just another game on HYTOPIA, it’s proof that great ideas can come from anywhere, and that our platform enables anyone to bring their gaming visions to life.

    Ready to race? Jump into KARTLAND’s Pre-Release today and experience the thrill of arcade racing reimagined for the HYTOPIA universe.

    https://hytopia.com/games/kartland/

    Connect with KARTLAND:

    • Join the discussion on HYTOPIA Discord
    • Share your best times and epic moments
    • Follow development updates as we race toward the full release

    Start your engines—we’ll see you on the track! 🏁