Ink Runner

Ink Runner is a browser-based platformer built with Phaser 3.
The game uses a hand-drawn notebook-paper style and includes 7 levels, enemy encounters, a boss arena, and late-game darkness/cave levels.

Quick Start

No build step is required.

1. Open ink-runner/index.html in a browser, or serve the folder with a simple static server.
2. If you are on a production hostname configured in PASSWORD_PROTECTED_HOSTS (ink-runner/index.html), enter the gate password when prompted: thaneiscool.
3. Play.

Example local server:

cd ink-runner
python3 -m http.server 8000

Then open http://localhost:8000.

Controls

• Move: Arrow Keys or WASD
• Jump: Space or W / ArrowUp
• Dash: Shift (hold to keep dashing)
• Punch/Attack: F
• Fireworks: P
• Toggle darkness effect: K

Dev / Skip Shortcuts

• Skip to Level 2: Z
• Skip to Level 3: X
• Skip to Level 4: C
• Skip to Level 5: V
• Skip to Level 6: B
• Skip to Level 7: N
• Skip back one level: M

Project Structure

• ink-runner/index.html: Entry point, password gate, Phaser CDN include
• ink-runner/main.js: Game logic, level construction, combat, boss encounter
• ink-runner/style.css: Global styling and gate UI
• ink-runner/img/: Paper background assets

Notes

• The project currently loads Phaser from CDN (jsdelivr).
• Most graphics are generated in code at runtime via Phaser graphics APIs.
• Password gating is host-based: only hostnames listed in PASSWORD_PROTECTED_HOSTS require a password (good for Netlify production-only protection).
• Local and preview bypasses are automatic (localhost, 127.0.0.1, file://, and Netlify preview URLs like deploy-preview-*--*.netlify.app).
• You can force bypass with ?nogate=1 (for example, http://localhost:8000/?nogate=1).
• In Level 7, activating Lightroots permanently lights nearby cave areas.
• Background music is level-based and loops:
  • Levels 1-4: ink-runner/audio/Drift Away (Instrumental).mp4
  • Level 5+ (boss + cave): ink-runner/audio/Demons in the Machines.mp4