Question 1

How does Backdooms compare to a normal web game?

Accepted Answer

Backdooms is entirely self-contained in a QR code and runs offline without server hosting, unlike traditional web games that rely on internet connectivity. It uses extreme compression to fit within QR code limits, sacrificing complex features for portability and novelty.

Question 2

How to create my own QR code game like Backdooms?

Accepted Answer

Compress your HTML game with Zlib, encode it in Base64, and wrap it in a self-extracting HTML file using DecompressionStream. Then, use Python with the qrcode library to generate the QR code, as outlined in the README's usage section with the QRGEN.py script.

Question 3

What browsers support the DecompressionStream API used in Backdooms?

Accepted Answer

Modern browsers like Chrome, Edge, Yandex, and Opera support DecompressionStream, but Safari and older versions may not. The README notes limited mobile compatibility for alternative implementations like the BigInt branch, so check browser support before use.

Question 4

Is Backdooms really playable on mobile phones without downloads?

Accepted Answer

Yes, on modern mobile browsers with DecompressionStream support, you can scan the QR code and play instantly without downloads. The README confirms mobile compatibility, but performance might vary on devices with weaker hardware.

Question 5

What compression does Backdooms use to fit DOOM in a QR code?

Accepted Answer

It uses Zlib compression with Gzip decompression streams and Base64 encoding to achieve a compressed size of about 2.5KB, as detailed in the technical breakdown flowchart. This allows the game to be stored entirely in a QR code's data capacity.

Question 6

Can I modify Backdooms for my own project under the MIT license?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the project is MIT licensed, so you're free to use, modify, and share it. The creator encourages seeing other QR games or improved versions, as stated in the license section, making it a good starting point for experimentation.

Question 7

What are the limits of QR code data storage for games like this?

Accepted Answer

QR codes can store up to several kilobytes depending on version and error correction; Backdooms uses version 40 with low error correction to maximize capacity. If data exceeds this, generation fails, as explained in the QR code logic, highlighting practical constraints.

Backdooms

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