Stickman Bike

🚲 Rigid Body Dynamics in 2D Space

Stickman Bike belongs to the lineage of physics-trial games (similar to Moto X3M). The core gameplay is a balancing act involving rotational torque and center of mass. The bike consists of multiple connected rigid bodies: the wheels (circles with high friction), the chassis (rectangular mass), and the rider (ragdoll physics). The physics engine calculates the interaction between these bodies and the terrain in real-time.

The challenge is not speed, but stability. The player controls the throttle (W) and the bike's rotation (A/D). Applying torque in mid-air allows for flips, but landing incorrectly transmits shock through the suspension system; if the shock exceeds a threshold, the rider dismounts (fails).

🧠 Proprioception & Physics Prediction

Playing simulates digital proprioception:

• Rotational Awareness: You must predict how much rotation is needed to land parallel to a sloped surface. Landing flat on a 45-degree slope results in a crash.
• Suspension Loading: Understanding that the bike bounces. Pre-loading the suspension (leaning back then forward) can help clear larger gaps.

🎮 Key Mechanics

Understanding the bike's behavior:

• Torque: The bike has powerful torque. Leaning back (Left Arrow) while accelerating creates a wheelie. This is useful for climbing vertical steps.
• Ragdoll State: The rider is semi-attached. High-G impacts or head collisions trigger the ragdoll state, ending the run immediately.
• Checkpoints: The levels are segmented. Reaching a green flag saves your state, allowing for rapid trial-and-error learning of difficult sections.

🏆 Trial Strategies

1. Landing With the Rear Wheel

Generally, it is safer to land slightly rear-wheel first. The rear suspension is typically stiffer and designed to handle drive traction. Landing front-wheel heavy often causes the bike to pivot forward over the handlebars (an "endo").

2. Air Braking

Tap the brake (S or Down) in mid-air to stop the wheels' rotation. This uses the conservation of angular momentum to pitch the bike forward rapidly, useful for correcting a backflip that is rotating too slowly.

🛡️ Technical Performance

Optimized for accuracy:

• Hitbox Polygons: The terrain uses complex polygon colliders, not simple boxes, allowing for smooth ramps and jagged rocks.
• 60 FPS Physics: The physics step runs at a fixed 60Hz to ensure consistent jump heights regardless of graphical frame rate.

❓ FAQ