Just saw this on sale... wtf is it?

[Medium_Rare]

I get that its a sandbox... but... ok, well... is it fun?

[drako131181]

If you are interested in astronomy and gravitation it can be fun.

What I read in the official Forum was that maybe a challenge-mode is coming, and I think that is a lot more fun than only a sandbox-mode.

[Dan Dixon]

Well... having written the software, I'm totally biased, but I think it's pretty cool.

It's software that I initially wrote just for myself because no one else had. I posted an early version on the internet and got such a good response that I eventually left my job over one year ago to work on it full time.

[Mogh]

So you made Universe Sandbox all by yourself?? Wow, that must have been a lot of work! Nice job though, it's a very interesting game/simulator.

[Dan Dixon]

I made Universe Sandbox mostly by myself, but was only building on the work done before me.

The 3D engine and UI library (http://www.ionstar.org/) I use most notably influenced the development of the simulator.

You can check the in-game 'Credits', from a link on the main menu, to see the list of the many contributors.

Thank you. I'm glad you've found it interesting.

[cereal3]

Get it, for the price it is epic

[magnatude]

Yeah its kinda cool, but the physics... I guess there is more needed to keep the moons from flying about, the mysteries of gravity as if falls apart at the seams.

So if its not really simulating what is observed, then I guess its just a "fun" thing.
Wondering if this will be opened up to allow users to input their own formulas, perhaps Birkeland had something...

[Dan Dixon]

If you're having problems with the simulation flying apart, you're probably turning up the time step too high.

The time step directly relates to how accurate the simulation is. The higher the time step the less accurate; the lower the time step the more accurate it is.

The problem with time step and accuracy is a problem fundamental to gravity simulators. The fact that it's not clear what's going on is my fault. I hope to address this in a future revision.

[donut32]

i think its pretty fun. wrecks my computer though when i start doing extreme stuff like blowing the earth into 500 peices. 4 cores isnt enough for all the math i guess?

[Dan Dixon]

Adding support for fully utilizing multiple cores is still in its infancy. And even with improve support, you'll still be able to add so many objects or dust particles that the frame rate will suffer even on the fastest computer available.

This is another issue that many people run into and admittedly Universe Sandbox does a poor job of messaging the problem or how to solve it (try blowing up the Earth with fewer pieces, for example).

[gjork]

So if its not really simulating what is observed, then I guess its just a "fun" thing.


This guy is an astrophysicist and claims it is more than just a "fun" thing.

http://themacgamer.com/2011/05/21/universe-sandbox/

Don’t assume that Universe Sandbox is merely a game for those inexperienced in astronomy, as I found it to offer a plethora of options that will satisfy even the most hardened astronomer (being in astrophysics myself, I know). Beneath the basic level of customization I’ve already discussed lay a treasure-trove of options to satisfy the physicist in me. I attempted to dig for as much physics-based info I could discern from each model and was pleasantly surprised with the results. Being able to accurately solve for the Lagrange Points in my five-star system was impressive enough, but I was even able to switch the physics engine from 2nd-order approximations to 4th-order…and if you understood that sentence, you’ll realize that this game means business. To be frank, I had expected Universe Sandbox to be more of a toy for those casually interested in astronomy, as I’ve come to expect from other titles in this genre. However, I left this review surprised at the sheer amount of depth hidden beneath the surface that managed to even make a physicist double-take once or twice. Despite the game’s neglect of more advanced concepts within astronomy, such as popular topics like dark matter and stellar evolution, and lack of modelling options at sizes beyond galactic systems, Universe Sandbox still managed to provide an interesting experience that went far beyond the common entry-level simulators that clutter the market.

[7fields]

I think I'm going to buy this purely because the developer has posted here. This looks interesting.

[WoogieMonster]

I got this back when it first hit Steam. I have to confess the first thing I did was put a bunch of baseballs, tennis balls, basketballs, etc in the simulation, took a screenshot to post on a game forum, and made a "oh my balls" joke.

*sigh* the simple things that amuse me.

[moonshire]

Yes ups to that. I was sitting on the fence as to whether to buy it or not but since the developer has posted. hehe I shall support you and buy it :)

[Fightmusician]

Well... having written the software, I'm totally biased, but I think it's pretty cool.

It's software that I initially wrote just for myself because no one else had. I posted an early version on the internet and got such a good response that I eventually left my job over one year ago to work on it full time.

Wow how had I not heard of this game before, it's great! Continue the great work!! Glad your able to make a living doing something you love to do! :D

[Rumtruffle]

so is it a space simulator where you can fly around galaxies and solar systems youve created, in realtime?

or is it a simulator where you set loads of values and details and then let the game engine simulate it over a period of time. like stop motion.?

[cristian240sx]

so is it a space simulator where you can fly around galaxies and solar systems youve created, in realtime?

or is it a simulator where you set loads of values and details and then let the game engine simulate it over a period of time. like stop motion.?

from having played the demo, id say its a bit of both but there is no "flying" around just zooming into stuff. Would be could if you could actually fly a spacecraft in it though.

heres the demo:http://universesandbox.com/

[relaxinparadise]

and letting it go on sale too! i wanted to get it as soon as i saw it available on steam but the cheapskate in me that refuses to pay full price for anything said no, today i don't have that excuse so thanks! now i can feed the cosmic junkie in me anytime i want without have to wait for new space documentaries.

I hope this project ends up being really successful for you in all ways possible.

Well... having written the software, I'm totally biased, but I think it's pretty cool.

It's software that I initially wrote just for myself because no one else had. I posted an early version on the internet and got such a good response that I eventually left my job over one year ago to work on it full time.

[Dan Dixon]

I hope this project ends up being really successful for you in all ways possible.

Thanks. Things are going great. Universe Sandbox is currently the #7 top selling game (thanks to the sale today).

I can't wait to share what I have planned with everyone. :)

[thebigmike1983]

SCIENCE! \o/

Glad this went on sale, been eyeing it for a while.

/Physics major
//Too lazy for grad school :D

[Niscimble]

Well done on this game Dan