A computer scientist used only “pure SQL” to construct a multiplayer DOOM-like game. The resulting first-person shooter game, cobbled from a mere ~150 lines of Python code, is dubbed DOOMQL. Despite the self-imposed software architecture restrictions, Lukas Vogel, co-founder of database performance outfit CedarDB, says DOOMQL plays at “a breezy ~30 FPS.”

See: Building a DOOM-like multiplayer shooter in pure SQL

Features:

Pure SQL renderer: Raycasting, sprite projection, occlusion, and HUD, all implemented as VIEWS.

Multiplayer: CedarDB handles concurrent players, synchronization, and state.

Hackable game state: Change config, teleport players, or balance weapons with a single UPDATE.

First-class cheating support: Since everyone just talks SQL to the DB, half the fun is figuring out sneaky cheating queries.

Minimal client: 150 lines of Python to capture key presses and display frames to your terminal.

Via Boing Boing.