50cc

50cc is a minimalist 2D video game engine sandbox written in a single file of C99 with SDL3 as its only dependency.

50cc allows you to learn, explore and play several 2D games from a series of simple 2D engine primatives and functions. The entire engine and games fit in one C file and a simple/optional text based config, making it easy to modify, extend, or use as a learning tool.

Why "50cc"?

The name "50cc" is inspired by small, efficient engines that power entry-level motorcycles and scooters. Just like those engines, this project aims to be:

1. Lightweight - The entire codebase is small and focused
2. Accessible - Easy to understand and modify
3. Fun - Despite its simplicity, it provides genuine entertainment

Why C?

• Good performance on most hardware
• Cross platform compatibility
• Direct access to SDL3
• Less abstration so you can see how everything works
• Compiles quickly and only depends on SDL3 and standard libraries

Prerequisites

• A C99 compatible compiler (GCC, Clang, MSVC)
• SDL3 library
• CMake (3.16 or newer)
• pkg-config (On Unix-Like)

Supported Platforms

• Arch Linux
• Ubuntu/Debian
• macOS
• Windows
• FreeBSD

Installation

Use the appropriate installation script from the Install folder:

# Linux
./Install/linux.sh

# MacOS
./Install/macos.sh

# Windows
Install\windows.ps

2. Build using CMake:

   mkdir build
   cd build
   cmake ..
   cmake --build .

3. Run the game:

   ./50cc

Usage

Once launched, 50cc will present a menu to select from the available games:

• Use arrow keys to navigate
• Press Enter/Return to select a game
• Press Esc to return to the menu
• Each game has its own controls, shown on-screen

Customization

The entire game is contained in a single 50cc.c file, making it easy to modify:

1. Open 50cc.c in your favorite text editor
2. Modify the code as desired
3. Rebuild using the steps above
4. Enjoy your customized version!

Why 50cc? (The Engine)

Just like this project, 50cc combustion engines have several merits:

• Efficiency: 50cc engines can achieve excellent fuel economy, often 100+ MPG
• Simplicity: Fewer moving parts means less that can go wrong
• Accessibility: Lower cost of entry and maintenance
• Legality: In many regions, 50cc vehicles can be operated without a full motorcycle license
• Learning: Perfect for beginners to understand the principles of internal combustion
• Reliability: When properly maintained, can run for thousands of miles with minimal issues
• Portability: Lightweight and compact design
• Low environmental impact: Smaller carbon footprint compared to larger engines

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.

1. Fork the repository
2. Create your feature branch (git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)
3. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add some amazing feature')
4. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/amazing-feature)
5. Open a Pull Request

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Acknowledgments

• SDL3 developers for the excellent cross-platform library
• Inspiration from classic 2D games that defined the industry
• The open-source community for resources and documentation