retro 3d maze engine (raycasting)

a small retro-style 3d engine that renders a maze using raycasting (similar to wolfenstein 3d).

you can move inside the maze using arrow keys.

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1. install required tools

step 1 — install msys2

download: https://www.msys2.org/

install using default settings.

after install: open msys2 ucrt64 terminal

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step 2 — install compiler and sdl

run:

pacman -S mingw-w64-ucrt-x86_64-gcc
pacman -S mingw-w64-ucrt-x86_64-sdl

press y when asked.

this installs:

• g++ compiler
• sdl graphics library

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2. download project files

create a folder anywhere, for example:

desktop/maze

place these files inside:

maze/
│
├── main.cpp
├── quickcg.cpp
├── quickcg.h
│
└── pics/
    ├── eagle.png
    ├── redbrick.png
    ├── purplestone.png
    ├── greystone.png
    ├── bluestone.png
    ├── mossy.png
    ├── wood.png
    └── colorstone.png

quickcg files download:

https://lodev.org/cgtutor/files/quickcg.cpp https://lodev.org/cgtutor/files/quickcg.h

textures are required or the program will crash.

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3. open project folder in terminal

open msys2 ucrt64 terminal

navigate to project folder:

example:

cd /c/users/yourname/desktop/maze

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4. compile

run:

g++ *.cpp -lmingw32 -lsdlmain -lsdl -o3 -o raycaster

if compilation succeeds, a file appears:

raycaster.exe

ignore warning about missing return statement.

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5. run program

./raycaster.exe

a window opens showing a 3d maze.

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6. controls

key	action
↑	move forward
↓	move backward
←	turn left
→	turn right
esc	exit

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7. project structure explanation

file	purpose
main.cpp	raycasting engine
quickcg.cpp	graphics helper functions
quickcg.h	declarations for quickcg
pics/	wall textures

quickcg simplifies:

• window creation
• keyboard input
• image loading
• drawing pixels

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8. common errors

sdl not found

run:

pacman -S mingw-w64-ucrt-x86_64-sdl

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undefined reference to winmain

compile using:

g++ *.cpp -lmingw32 -lsdlmain -lsdl -o3 -o raycaster

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textures not loading

check folder:

pics/

must be in same directory as exe.

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9. what this program demonstrates

concepts:

• raycasting
• dda algorithm
• texture mapping
• camera projection
• game loop

each vertical pixel column shoots a ray into a 2d grid map to simulate a 3d view.

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10. reference

this project stands on the shoulders of this beautifully explained guide by lode vandevenne.