How to host a Hypersomnia server for my friends?

You can host directly from the main menu—the game forwards ports out of the box—or use the provided Docker setup or headless AppImage for dedicated servers. The executable embeds everything needed, so no additional software is required.

Can I mod Hypersomnia to add new weapons?

Yes, the game is fully open-source and extensible. You can modify the C++ code to add new weapons or assets, and the editor supports custom resources like PNGs and WAVs by dropping folders into the map directory.

How does Hypersomnia compare to other open-source shooters like Xonotic?

Hypersomnia focuses on deterministic, physics-based multiplayer with an integrated editor and cross-platform play (including browsers), while Xonotic is a 3D arena shooter built on a modified Quake engine. Hypersomnia is better for learning low-level C++ game dev without an engine.

Is Hypersomnia good for learning game networking?

Absolutely, its tech highlights detail innovative solutions for deterministic networking across platforms, including handling floats and physics synchronization, making it a valuable case study for developers interested in multiplayer game programming.

How to build Hypersomnia from source on Windows?

Follow the BUILDING.md guide; it requires clang compiler and specific flags like /fp:strict for determinism. The process involves setting up dependencies and using CMake, which can be complex for beginners.

Does Hypersomnia support single-player modes?

No, it's primarily designed as a multiplayer shooter with bomb defusal and gun game modes. There's no built-in single-player campaign, though you can play locally with bots or in private servers.

What are the system requirements for Hypersomnia?

The game is lightweight (29 MB download) and runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, including ARM builds. It requires a modern CPU for physics simulations and a GPU supporting OpenGL for the pixel art graphics, but no high-end hardware is needed.

Hypersomnia — C++ Multiplayer Top-Down Shooter

What is Hypersomnia?

Hypersomnia is a multiplayer top-down shooter built from scratch in modern C++ without a game engine. It offers tactical gameplay with bomb defusal and gun game modes, featuring an integrated map editor and cross-platform play between native clients and web browsers. The project solves the challenge of creating a deterministic, physics-based multiplayer experience that remains synchronized across diverse platforms.

Target Audience

Game developers interested in low-level C++ game programming, networking, and physics simulation, as well as players seeking a community-driven, extensible shooter with modding and map-making capabilities.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Hypersomnia for its fully open-source codebase, deterministic networking that ensures perfect synchronization, and the unique integration of an in-game editor for instant playtesting. It demonstrates innovative solutions to hard problems like cross-platform determinism and self-contained server hosting.

Multiplayer top-down shooter made from scratch in C++. Web version: https://play.hypersomnia.io Made in 🇵🇱

Use Cases

Best For

Studying deterministic networking in physics-based multiplayer games
Learning C++ game development without an engine
Creating and playtesting custom maps with friends in real-time
Self-hosting a community-driven shooter server
Exploring memory pool implementations for game object management
Building cross-platform games that run natively and in browsers

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring rapid prototyping with visual scripting or drag-and-drop tools
Teams without strong C++ expertise for contributing to or modifying the codebase
Games demanding 3D graphics or advanced visual effects beyond 2D pixel art
Commercial studios needing extensive asset pipelines and engine-level support

Pros & Cons

Pros

Deterministic Cross-Platform Networking

Ensures perfectly synchronized gameplay across native clients (Windows, Linux, macOS) and web browsers, even with physics simulations, by transmitting only player inputs and using techniques like cache reinference.

Integrated WYSIWYG Map Editor

Built with ImGui, it allows instant playtesting of work-in-progress maps with friends, including automatic map downloads for joining players, all within the same executable.

Self-Contained Server Infrastructure

The game executable embeds the editor, game server, and masterserver, enabling easy self-hosting and community server lists without additional software.

Efficient Deterministic Memory Pool

A custom pool implementation provides contiguous storage, O(1) operations, and deterministic behavior crucial for networking and undo/redo in the editor, as detailed in the tech highlights.

Secure Built-In Updater

Automatically downloads and verifies updates using developer public keys, with signatures verified via ssh-keygen, protecting against malicious builds.

Cons

Complex Build Requirements

Achieving determinism requires using the same compiler (clang) across all OSes and specific flags, making the build process non-trivial compared to engine-based projects.

Limited Game Content Variety

Currently offers only two game modes (bomb defusal and gun game) and 24 weapons, which may feel sparse compared to commercial multiplayer shooters.

Steep Contribution Learning Curve

The codebase involves custom systems like deterministic networking and memory pools, requiring deep C++ knowledge for meaningful contributions or modifications.

No Built-In Visual Scripting

Lacks visual tools for logic or behavior editing, relying entirely on code for game mechanics, which can slow down iteration for non-programmers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hypersomnia?

Target Audience

Value Proposition

Use Cases

Best For

Studying deterministic networking in physics-based multiplayer games
Learning C++ game development without an engine
Creating and playtesting custom maps with friends in real-time
Self-hosting a community-driven shooter server
Exploring memory pool implementations for game object management
Building cross-platform games that run natively and in browsers

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring rapid prototyping with visual scripting or drag-and-drop tools
Teams without strong C++ expertise for contributing to or modifying the codebase
Games demanding 3D graphics or advanced visual effects beyond 2D pixel art
Commercial studios needing extensive asset pipelines and engine-level support

Pros & Cons

Pros

Deterministic Cross-Platform Networking

Integrated WYSIWYG Map Editor

Built with ImGui, it allows instant playtesting of work-in-progress maps with friends, including automatic map downloads for joining players, all within the same executable.

Self-Contained Server Infrastructure

The game executable embeds the editor, game server, and masterserver, enabling easy self-hosting and community server lists without additional software.

Efficient Deterministic Memory Pool

A custom pool implementation provides contiguous storage, O(1) operations, and deterministic behavior crucial for networking and undo/redo in the editor, as detailed in the tech highlights.

Secure Built-In Updater

Automatically downloads and verifies updates using developer public keys, with signatures verified via ssh-keygen, protecting against malicious builds.

Cons

Complex Build Requirements

Achieving determinism requires using the same compiler (clang) across all OSes and specific flags, making the build process non-trivial compared to engine-based projects.

Limited Game Content Variety

Currently offers only two game modes (bomb defusal and gun game) and 24 weapons, which may feel sparse compared to commercial multiplayer shooters.

Steep Contribution Learning Curve

The codebase involves custom systems like deterministic networking and memory pools, requiring deep C++ knowledge for meaningful contributions or modifications.

No Built-In Visual Scripting

Lacks visual tools for logic or behavior editing, relying entirely on code for game mechanics, which can slow down iteration for non-programmers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hypersomnia

What is Hypersomnia?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

Hypersomnia

What is Hypersomnia?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?