Tennis, simulated —
and explained
Pelota is a free and open source 3D tennis game made with Godot.
Here you learn how to play it, how it works inside, and how you can help build it.
A ball that behaves like a ball
Topspin dips and kicks up, slice floats and skids, a ball clips the net cord and dribbles over. The same simulation predicts where every ball will go.
Timing and footwork decide
Release the button at the right moment, stand in the right place, and choose to take the ball early or late. A perfect hit is clearly better than a good one.
An opponent that watches you
The AI punishes short balls, pulls you wide and then plays into the open court, and only comes to the net when it can get there.
Nerves and momentum
Defending break points builds pressure, winning games builds confidence, and both change how well a player hits.
Motion from real movement
Motion-captured running and stroke animations, retargeted onto the players and blended so the feet never slide.
Built in the open
Programmers, 3D artists, animators, translators, writers and testers are all welcome. Start here to find your way in.