Swing NYC: A Voxel-Based Web-Swinging Experience in Midtown Manhattan

Swing NYC provides a physics-based web-swinging simulation in a voxelized Manhattan environment

Swing NYC is an interactive web application that enables users to navigate a 3D voxel representation of midtown New York City using mechanics inspired by web-swinging. The experience focuses on momentum-based traversal, allowing users to swing between buildings, dive for speed, and perform air dashes to maintain flight.

Core Movement Mechanics and Controls

The simulation utilizes a combination of mouse and keyboard inputs to manage momentum and direction. The primary movement loop relies on the timing of the web release to maximize the arc of the swing.

Desktop Controls

• Web-Swinging: Hold the left mouse button to attach a web and release at the peak of the arc to maintain momentum.
• Ground and Air Steering: Use the W, A, S, and D keys to steer while on the ground or in the air.
• Jumping: Tap SPACE to jump. Holding and releasing SPACE triggers a "Super Jump."
• Air Dash: Press SPACE while in the air to dash toward the held direction; this is limited to one dash per swing.
• Diving: Hold SHIFT to dive, trading altitude for increased velocity.
• Respawning: Press R to return to the rooftop.

Mobile Controls

• Swinging: Hold the web icon to swing and release at the top of the arc.
• Camera: Drag the right side of the screen to adjust the camera view.
• Movement: Tap the jump icon to jump or air dash, and hold/release for a super jump.
• Diving: Hold the dive icon to increase speed.

Technical Implementation and User Experience

The project renders a "Voxel Manhattan," suggesting a grid-based volumetric representation of the city's architecture. Users have noted that the system includes a "snapping" mechanism that attaches the web to the nearest possible building, which prevents the player from falling into empty space.

Community Feedback and Gameplay Tips

Users interacting with the project have highlighted several strategies for optimizing movement and some limitations of the current build:

• Optimizing Flow: To achieve smoother traversal, users recommend using the SPACE key to air dash immediately after releasing a swing to better position for the next anchor point. Additionally, using WASD during a swing helps steer the character away from the anchor point, creating a more natural curve.
• Control Precision: Some users reported difficulty in precise targeting, noting that the web occasionally hooks onto buildings behind the player rather than those in front.
• Collision Issues: Some players experienced abrupt collisions, stating that the character often slams into a building before the swinging motion begins.
• Environmental Accuracy: While the environment is based on midtown NYC, some users questioned the geographical accuracy, specifically noting the presence of a diagonal avenue that resembles a mirrored version of Broadway.

Audio and Atmosphere

The experience is set to the track "POWERUP!" by Jeremy Blake, contributing to the high-energy feel of the urban traversal.