diff --git a/.vscode/settings.json b/.vscode/settings.json
index bb9079a..5281033 100644
--- a/.vscode/settings.json
+++ b/.vscode/settings.json
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
         "structure.h": "c",
         "limits": "c",
         "base.h": "c",
-        "cars.h": "c"
+        "cars.h": "c",
+        "sdl_image.h": "c"
     }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 4c154f6..b9c110b 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ test: bin/back
 mem: bin/back
 	valgrind --leak-check=full ./bin/back
 
-bin/back: obj/main.o obj/display.o obj/base.o obj/cars.o obj/rooms.o
+bin/back: obj/main.o obj/display.o obj/base.o obj/cars.o obj/rooms.o obj/structure.o
 	mkdir -p bin
 	$(CC) $(FLAGS) $^ $(LFLAGS) -o $@
 
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ obj/display.o: src/display.c
 obj/base.o: src/base.c
 obj/cars.o: src/cars.c
 obj/rooms.o: src/rooms.c
+obj/structure.o: src/structure.c
 
 .PHONY: clean mrproper
 
diff --git a/bin/back b/bin/back
index 9861678..3a2daf0 100755
Binary files a/bin/back and b/bin/back differ
diff --git a/levels/test.txt b/levels/test.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c7dea7e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/levels/test.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+5 6
+S.....
+031E..
+024...
+215...
+......
+
+$
+. = NULL
+0 = Vertical
+1 = Horizontal
+2 = TopRight        (NE)
+3 = BottomRight     (SE)
+4 = BottomLeft      (SW)
+5 = TopLeft         (NW)
+S = Start
+E = End
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/obj/base.o b/obj/base.o
index 3407883..1e40980 100644
Binary files a/obj/base.o and b/obj/base.o differ
diff --git a/obj/cars.o b/obj/cars.o
index af76b9d..7b2fd51 100644
Binary files a/obj/cars.o and b/obj/cars.o differ
diff --git a/obj/display.o b/obj/display.o
index 85f7eaa..b3e9699 100644
Binary files a/obj/display.o and b/obj/display.o differ
diff --git a/obj/main.o b/obj/main.o
index e11486a..369ef42 100644
Binary files a/obj/main.o and b/obj/main.o differ
diff --git a/obj/rooms.o b/obj/rooms.o
index 165971d..7ef8db7 100644
Binary files a/obj/rooms.o and b/obj/rooms.o differ
diff --git a/obj/structure.o b/obj/structure.o
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..54ce4d2
Binary files /dev/null and b/obj/structure.o differ
diff --git a/src/base.c b/src/base.c
index 145bf78..80bf439 100644
--- a/src/base.c
+++ b/src/base.c
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ void init_all(int nPl) {
     currentTurn = 0;
     players = malloc(sizeof(carData)*nPlayers);
     for(int p = 0; p < nPlayers; p++) {
-        players[p].curChunk = start;
         players[p].c = init_car("player");
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/cars.c b/src/cars.c
index a72efc7..0841f90 100644
--- a/src/cars.c
+++ b/src/cars.c
@@ -15,10 +15,8 @@
 #include "base.h"
 #include "cars.h"
 
-car* init_car(const char* name) {
+car* init_car() {
     car* res = malloc(sizeof(car));
-    res->name = "e";
-    res->size = 40;
     res->itm = NULL;
     res->nCoins = 0;
     res->pos = (ptf){.fx = 0.0, .fy = 0.0};
@@ -26,7 +24,7 @@ car* init_car(const char* name) {
     return res;
 }
 
-void move_car(car* c, double x, double y) {
+void place_car(car* c, double x, double y) {
     c->pos.fx = x;
     c->pos.fy = y;
 }
@@ -38,4 +36,6 @@ void set_speed_car(car* c, double vx, double vy) {
 
 void destroy_car(car* c) {
     free(c);
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
+
+// ------------------------------------------------------------ //
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/cars.h b/src/cars.h
index 36a0a39..2102df7 100644
--- a/src/cars.h
+++ b/src/cars.h
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 #ifndef CARS_H
 #define CARS_H
 
-car* init_car(const char* name);
+car* init_car();
 void destroy_car(car* c);
 
-void move_car(car* c, double x, double y);
+void place_car(car* c, double x, double y);
 void set_speed_car(car* c, double vx, double vy);
 
 #endif
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/display.c b/src/display.c
index df9431f..657b6d8 100644
--- a/src/display.c
+++ b/src/display.c
@@ -212,7 +212,8 @@ void draw7SegNumberToRenderer(SDL_Renderer* renderer, int n, int X, int Y, int W
 //---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------//
 // circle functions by @Gumichan01 at https://gist.github.com/Gumichan01/332c26f6197a432db91cc4327fcabb1c (not native) //
 //---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------//
-void SDL_RenderDrawCircle(SDL_Renderer * renderer, int x, int y, int radius) {
+void SDL_RenderDrawCircle(SDL_Renderer * renderer, int x, int y, int radius, int r, int g, int b, int a) {
+    SDL_SetRenderDrawColor(renderer, r, g, b, a);
     int offsetx, offsety, d;
     int status;
 
@@ -253,7 +254,8 @@ void SDL_RenderDrawCircle(SDL_Renderer * renderer, int x, int y, int radius) {
 }
 
 
-void SDL_RenderFillCircle(SDL_Renderer * renderer, int x, int y, int radius) {
+void SDL_RenderFillCircle(SDL_Renderer * renderer, int x, int y, int radius, int r, int g, int b, int a) {
+    SDL_SetRenderDrawColor(renderer, r, g, b, a);
     int offsetx, offsety, d;
     int status;
 
@@ -295,6 +297,129 @@ void SDL_RenderFillCircle(SDL_Renderer * renderer, int x, int y, int radius) {
 
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- //
 
+void renderStraights(SDL_Renderer* renderer, level* lvl, int cx, int cy, int range, int rsize) {
+    for(int x = -range; x <= range; x++) {
+        for(int y = -range; y <= range; y++) {
+            if(cx+x >= 0 && cy+y >= 0 && cx+x < lvl->lines && cy+y < lvl->cols) {
+                switch (lvl->map[cx+x][cy+y]){
+                case NONE:
+                    placeRectToRenderer(renderer, (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y, (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x, rsize, rsize, 0, 0, 0, 255);
+                    break;
+
+                case START:
+                case END:
+                    placeRectToRenderer(renderer, (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y, (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x, rsize, rsize, 0, 0, 0, 255);
+                    placeRectToRenderer(renderer,
+                        (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y+(int)(START_EDGE*rsize),
+                        (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x,
+                        rsize-(int)(2*START_EDGE*rsize),
+                        rsize,
+                    32, 32, 32, 255);
+                    placeRectToRenderer(renderer,
+                        (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y,
+                        (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x+(int)(START_EDGE*rsize),
+                        rsize,
+                        rsize-(int)(2*START_EDGE*rsize),
+                    32, 32, 32, 255);
+                    break;
+
+                case STR_H:
+                    placeRectToRenderer(renderer, (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y, (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x, rsize, rsize, 0, 0, 0, 255);
+                    placeRectToRenderer(renderer,
+                        (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y,
+                        (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x+(int)(DIST_EDGE*rsize),
+                        rsize,
+                        rsize-(int)(2*DIST_EDGE*rsize),
+                    32, 32, 32, 255);
+                    break;
+
+                case STR_V:
+                    placeRectToRenderer(renderer, (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y, (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x, rsize, rsize, 0, 0, 0, 255);
+                    placeRectToRenderer(renderer,
+                        (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y+(int)(DIST_EDGE*rsize),
+                        (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x,
+                        rsize-(int)(2*DIST_EDGE*rsize),
+                        rsize,
+                    32, 32, 32, 255);
+                    break;
+
+                case TURN_NE:
+                    break;
+
+                case TURN_SE:
+                    break;
+
+                case TURN_SW:
+                    break;
+
+                case TURN_NW:
+                    break;
+                
+                default:
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void renderCircles(SDL_Renderer* renderer, level* lvl, int cx, int cy, int range, int rsize) {
+    for(int x = -range; x <= range; x++) {
+        for(int y = -range; y <= range; y++) {
+            if(cx+x >= 0 && cy+y >= 0 && cx+x < lvl->lines && cy+y < lvl->cols) {
+                switch (lvl->map[cx+x][cy+y]){
+                case NONE:
+                    break;
+
+                case START:
+                case END:
+                    break;
+
+                case STR_H:
+                    break;
+
+                case STR_V:
+                    break;
+
+                case TURN_NE:
+                    placeRectToRenderer(renderer, (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y, (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x, rsize, rsize, 0, 0, 0, 255);
+                    SDL_RenderFillCircle(renderer, (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y+rsize, (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x      , (int)(rsize*(1-DIST_EDGE)), 32, 32, 32, 255);
+                    SDL_RenderFillCircle(renderer, (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y+rsize, (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x      , (int)(rsize*DIST_EDGE), 0, 0, 0, 255);
+                    break;
+
+                case TURN_SE:
+                    placeRectToRenderer(renderer, (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y, (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x, rsize, rsize, 0, 0, 0, 255);
+                    SDL_RenderFillCircle(renderer, (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y+rsize, (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x+rsize, (int)(rsize*(1-DIST_EDGE)), 32, 32, 32, 255);
+                    SDL_RenderFillCircle(renderer, (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y+rsize, (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x+rsize, (int)(rsize*DIST_EDGE), 0, 0, 0, 255);
+                    break;
+
+                case TURN_SW:
+                    placeRectToRenderer(renderer, (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y, (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x, rsize, rsize, 0, 0, 0, 255);
+                    SDL_RenderFillCircle(renderer, (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y      , (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x+rsize, (int)(rsize*(1-DIST_EDGE)), 32, 32, 32, 255);
+                    SDL_RenderFillCircle(renderer, (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y      , (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x+rsize, (int)(rsize*DIST_EDGE), 0, 0, 0, 255);
+                    break;
+
+                case TURN_NW:
+                    placeRectToRenderer(renderer, (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y, (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x, rsize, rsize, 0, 0, 0, 255);
+                    SDL_RenderFillCircle(renderer, (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y      , (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x      , (int)(rsize*(1-DIST_EDGE)), 32, 32, 32, 255);
+                    SDL_RenderFillCircle(renderer, (WIDTH-rsize)/2+rsize*y      , (HEIGHT-rsize)/2+rsize*x      , (int)(rsize*DIST_EDGE), 0, 0, 0, 255);
+                    break;
+                
+                default:
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void renderMap(SDL_Renderer* renderer, level* lvl, int cx, int cy, int range, int rsize) {
+    renderCircles(renderer, lvl, cx, cy, range, rsize);
+    renderStraights(renderer, lvl, cx, cy, range, rsize);
+}
+
+// ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- //
+
 void import_digits(SDL_Renderer* renderer) {
     imgs* res = malloc(sizeof(imgs));
     res->arr = malloc(sizeof(SDL_Texture*)*11);
diff --git a/src/display.h b/src/display.h
index fa04f9b..1518086 100644
--- a/src/display.h
+++ b/src/display.h
@@ -12,8 +12,10 @@ void drawNumberToRenderer(SDL_Renderer* renderer, int n, int X, int Y, int W, in
 void drawStringToRenderer(SDL_Renderer* renderer, char* s, int X, int Y, int W, int H);
 void draw7SegDigitToRenderer(SDL_Renderer* renderer, int n, int X, int Y, int W, int H, int thicc, int R, int G, int B, int A);
 void draw7SegNumberToRenderer(SDL_Renderer* renderer, int n, int X, int Y, int W, int H, int thicc, int R, int G, int B, int A, int side, int dot);
-void SDL_RenderDrawCircle(SDL_Renderer * renderer, int x, int y, int radius);
-void SDL_RenderFillCircle(SDL_Renderer * renderer, int x, int y, int radius);
+void SDL_RenderDrawCircle(SDL_Renderer * renderer, int x, int y, int radius, int r, int g, int b, int a);
+void SDL_RenderFillCircle(SDL_Renderer * renderer, int x, int y, int radius, int r, int g, int b, int a);
+
+void renderMap(SDL_Renderer* renderer, level* lvl, int cx, int cy, int range, int rsize);
 
 void import_digits(SDL_Renderer* renderer);
 void import_letters(SDL_Renderer* renderer);
diff --git a/src/main.c b/src/main.c
index 988a4f7..2e59d3c 100644
--- a/src/main.c
+++ b/src/main.c
@@ -17,9 +17,6 @@
 #include "rooms.h"
 #include "cars.h"
 
-const int WIDTH = 1000;
-const int HEIGHT = 800;
-
 const int N_PLAYERS = 4;
 
 int main() {
@@ -38,16 +35,20 @@ int main() {
 
     import_letters(rend);
     import_digits(rend);
-    init_rooms();
     init_all(N_PLAYERS);
     // ---------------------------- //
-    
+    //test_file("levels/test.txt");
+    level* test = parse_level("levels/test.txt");
 
-    usleep(1000000);
+    renderMap(rend, test, 1, 1, 2, 250);
+    updateRenderer(rend);
+    
+    int n;
+    scanf("%d", &n);
     // ---------------------------- //
     free_digits(digits);
     free_digits(letters);
-    destroy_rooms();
+    free_level(test);
 
     SDL_DestroyRenderer(rend);
     SDL_DestroyWindow(win);
diff --git a/src/rooms.c b/src/rooms.c
index a380cb5..751030a 100644
--- a/src/rooms.c
+++ b/src/rooms.c
@@ -15,52 +15,103 @@
 #include "base.h"
 #include "rooms.h"
 
-chunk* start;
-chunk** allRooms;
-int nMaxRooms;
-int curRoom;
+bool is_digit(char c) {
+    return ((int)c >= 48 && (int)c <= 57);
+}
 
-// returns the index of the new chunk
-int build_empty_room(int CX, int CY, int w, int h, chunk* north, chunk* east, chunk* south, chunk* west) {
-    if(curRoom < nMaxRooms) {
-        chunk* res = malloc(sizeof(chunk));
-        res->north = north;
-        res->east = east;
-        res->south = south;
-        res->west = west;
-        res->chW = w;
-        res->chH = h;
-        res->chX = CX;
-        res->chY = CY;
+int read_int(FILE* ptr) {
+    int res = 0;
+    char c = fgetc(ptr);
+    while(c != EOF && !is_digit(c)) {
+        c = fgetc(ptr);
+    }
+    while(c != EOF && is_digit(c)) {
+        res = 10*res + (int)c - 48;
+        c = fgetc(ptr);
+    }
+    return res;
+}
 
-        res->rects = malloc(sizeof(rectangle)*32);
-        res->nRects = 0;
-        res->circles = malloc(sizeof(circle)*32);
-        res->nCircles = 0;
-
-        allRooms[curRoom] = res;
-        curRoom += 1;
-        return (curRoom-1);
-    } else {
-        fprintf(stderr, "ERROR : all rooms are filled, cannot create a new one\n");
-        return (-1);
+// typedef enum road_t {NONE, START, END, STR_V, STR_H, TURN_NE, TURN_SE, TURN_SW, TURN_NW} road; //
+/*
+. = NULL
+0 = Vertical
+1 = Horizontal
+2 = TopRight        (NE)
+3 = BottomRight     (SE)
+4 = BottomLeft      (SW)
+5 = TopLeft         (NW)
+S = Start
+E = End
+*/
+road get_type(char c) {
+    switch (c){
+    case '.':
+        return NONE;
+    case 'S':
+        return START;
+    case 'E':
+        return END;
+    case '0':
+        return STR_V;
+    case '1':
+        return STR_H;
+    case '2':
+        return TURN_NE;
+    case '3':
+        return TURN_SE;
+    case '4':
+        return TURN_SW;
+    case '5':
+        return TURN_NW;
+    
+    default:
+        fprintf(stderr, "unrecognized character '%c' encountered in parsing", c);
+        return NONE;
     }
 }
 
-void init_rooms() {
-    nMaxRooms = 128;
-    curRoom = 0;
-    allRooms = malloc(sizeof(chunk*)*nMaxRooms);
-
-    int id0 = build_empty_room(0, 0, 500, 500, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL);
-    start = allRooms[id0];
+void test_file(char* path) {
+    FILE* ptr = fopen(path, "r");
+    char c = fgetc(ptr);
+    while(c != EOF) {
+        printf("%c", c);
+        c = fgetc(ptr);
+    }
+    fclose(ptr);
 }
 
-void destroy_rooms() {
-    for(int r = 0; r < curRoom; r++) {
-        free(allRooms[r]->circles);
-        free(allRooms[r]->rects);
-        free(allRooms[r]);
+level* parse_level(char* path) {
+    FILE* ptr = fopen(path, "r");
+
+    level* lvl = malloc(sizeof(level));
+    lvl->lines = read_int(ptr);
+    lvl->cols = read_int(ptr);
+
+    //printf("dims : (%d %d)\n", lvl->lines, lvl->cols);
+
+    lvl->map = malloc(sizeof(road*)*(lvl->lines));
+    for(int l = 0; l < lvl->lines; l++) {
+        lvl->map[l] = malloc(sizeof(road)*(lvl->cols));
     }
-    free(allRooms);
+
+    for(int l = 0; l < lvl->lines; l++) {
+        for(int c = 0; c < lvl->cols; c++) {
+            char ch = fgetc(ptr);
+            if(ch == '\n') {ch = fgetc(ptr); printf("\n");}
+            printf("%c", ch);
+            lvl->map[l][c] = get_type(ch);
+            //printf("(%d %d -> %c)", l, c, ch);
+        }
+    }
+
+    return lvl;
+}
+
+void free_level(level* lvl) {
+    for(int l = 0; l < lvl->lines; l++) {
+        free(lvl->map[l]);
+    }
+    free(lvl->map);
+    free(lvl);
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/rooms.h b/src/rooms.h
index 14ff590..dd86fb2 100644
--- a/src/rooms.h
+++ b/src/rooms.h
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 #ifndef ROOMS_H
 #define ROOMS_H
 
-int build_empty_room(int CX, int CY, int w, int h, chunk* north, chunk* east, chunk* south, chunk* west);
+void test_file(char* path);
 
-void init_rooms();
-void destroy_rooms();
+level* parse_level(char* path);
+void free_level(level* lvl);
 
 #endif
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/structure.c b/src/structure.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..95d2c3a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/structure.c
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <SDL2/SDL.h>
+#include <SDL2/SDL_image.h>
+#include "structure.h"
+
+const int WIDTH = 1000;
+const int HEIGHT = 1000;
+
+const int ROOM_SIZE = 100;
+const int MAX_SPEED = 66;
+
+const double DIST_EDGE = 0.2;
+const double START_EDGE = 0.05;
+const int BARRIERS = 1;
+const int RESTITUTION_WALL = 0.8;
+const int RESTITUTION_PLAYER = 0.8;
+
+const double FRICTION = 0.75;
+const double DV = 0.01;
diff --git a/src/structure.h b/src/structure.h
index 0701b45..0b842c3 100644
--- a/src/structure.h
+++ b/src/structure.h
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ typedef struct imgs {
 
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------ //
 // car shenanigans
-
 typedef struct pt_t {int ix; int iy;} pt;
 
 typedef struct ptf_t {double fx; double fy;} ptf;
@@ -26,9 +25,7 @@ typedef struct item_t {
 } item;
 
 typedef struct car_t {
-    const char* name;
-    ptf pos;
-    int size;
+    ptf pos;                // remains in [0, ROOM_SIZE[
     ptf vel;
     int nCoins;
     item* itm; // either NULL or a pointer to an item
@@ -42,53 +39,23 @@ typedef struct color_t {
     uint8_t blue;
 } color;
 
-// 2 types of objects : rectangles and circles
-typedef struct rectangle_t {
-    int x;
-    int y;
-    int w;
-    int h;
-    color rgb;
-    double restitution;
-    void (*onHit)(struct rectangle_t * self, car* bonk);
-    void (*betweenTurn) (struct rectangle_t * self);
-} rectangle;
+// one chunk
+typedef enum road_t {NONE, START, END, STR_V, STR_H, TURN_NE, TURN_SE, TURN_SW, TURN_NW} road;
 
-typedef struct circle_t {
-    int x;
-    int y;
-    int r;
-    color rgb;
-    double restitution;
-    void (*onHit)(struct circle_t * self, car* bonk);
-    void (*betweenTurn) (struct circle_t * self);
-} circle;
-
-typedef struct chunk_t {
-    rectangle* rects;
-    int nRects;
-    circle* circles;
-    int nCircles;
-
-    // size of the chunk
-    int chW;
-    int chH;
-
-    // absolute coords
-    int chX;
-    int chY;
-
-    // neighbors
-    struct chunk_t* north;
-    struct chunk_t* east;
-    struct chunk_t* south;
-    struct chunk_t* west;
-} chunk;
+typedef struct level_t {
+    pt start;
+    pt end;
+    int lines;
+    int cols;
+    road** map;
+} level;
 
 // global car data
 typedef struct carData_t {
     car* c;
-    chunk* curChunk;
+    color rgb;
+    int chx;
+    int chy;
 } carData;
 
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------ //
@@ -97,10 +64,23 @@ extern imgs* letters;       // SDL data
 
 extern int currentTurn;     // name explains
 
-extern chunk* start;        // starting chunk
-extern chunk** allRooms;    // an array containing every generated room, used for free()
-extern int nMaxRooms;       // size of allRooms
 extern carData* players;    // contains each player and its corresponding data
 extern int nPlayers;        // size of players
+// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ //
+// constants
+extern const int WIDTH;
+extern const int HEIGHT;
+
+extern const int ROOM_SIZE;
+extern const int MAX_SPEED;
+
+extern const double DIST_EDGE;
+extern const double START_EDGE;
+extern const int BARRIERS;
+extern const int RESTITUTION_WALL;
+extern const int RESTITUTION_PLAYER;
+
+extern const double FRICTION;
+extern const double DV;
 
 #endif
\ No newline at end of file