Universe Sandbox
A gravity simulator for near-scientific space simulations.
Universe Sandbox is a series of simulation video games where players can observe how gravity affects celestial objects and run large-scale models of the Solar System, galaxies, or other cosmic scenes. Users have control over gravity, time, and object properties like mass, density, and radius for moons, planets, asteroids, comets, and black holes. The first game was available only on Windows, while a later version, initially called Universe Sandbox 2, came out in 2015 for Windows, macOS, and Linux. These tools are frequently used to create near-scientific space simulations for illustration.
Dan Dixon designed Universe Sandbox and released the first version in May 2008. He began working on it full-time in 2010 and founded Giant Army, a Seattle-based company, the following year. Since then, eight more designers have joined the team. Development on a new version, originally called Universe Sandbox 2, started in 2011. In November 2018, the original game was renamed Universe Sandbox Legacy, and the newer version took the name Universe Sandbox in December.
In gameplay, players can place and modify objects from a library that includes all major Solar System bodies, dozens of stars like Proxima Centauri and Betelgeuse, known exoplanets, black holes, and several galaxy types (treated as single objects rather than collections of smaller parts). The library also includes procedurally generated planets and moons. Players can adjust characteristics such as rotation period, mass, speed, density, and composition—for instance, changing a planet’s core materials like silicates, helium, or iron. They can also influence the likelihood of life, view maps of surface temperature and height, control these features, and customize a planet’s appearance.
Both realistic and fictional simulations are possible. Realistic ones include the full Solar System with all planets, over 160 moons, and hundreds of asteroids, as well as predictions like the Andromeda–Milky Way collision expected in 3.8 to 4.5 billion years. Users can explore visual size comparisons of the largest stars and planets, watch real-time animations of events like the Apophis asteroid’s 2029 flyby of Earth, or simulate comets hitting planets, such as Shoemaker Levy 9’s impact with Jupiter.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Giant Army
- Series
- Universe Sandbox
- Platforms
- Windows · MacOS · Linux
- Released
- First game: May 2008 · Second game: August 26, 2014 (public alpha)
- Genre
- Simulation
- Modes
- Single-player
- Engine
- Unity
- Composer
- Ryan Macoubrie
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Universe Sandbox was designed by Dan Dixon, who released the first version in May 2008. Dixon worked full-time on the project since 2010, founding the Seattle-based company Giant Army the following year. Since then, he has hired eight additional designers for the company. Work on a new version of the game, originally titled Universe Sandbox2, began in 2011. In November 2018, the original Universe Sandbox was renamed to Universe Sandbox Legacy, and the new version was then renamed to Universe Sandbox in December.
During gameplay, the player can place and change objects from the game's library, which includes all even slightly major celestial bodies of the Solar System, tens of different stars like Proxima Centauri, Betelgeuse or Arcturus, known discovered exoplanets, black holes, several galactic formations, and procedurally generated non-existent planets and moons. The player can change characteristics like rotation period, mass, object speed, density, composition, influence life likelihood, and see maps of surface temperature or height.
Both realistic and fictional simulations appear in Universe Sandbox. Real simulations include the Solar System with all planets, 160+ moons, and hundreds of asteroids; predictions of future events such as the Andromeda and Milky Way galaxy collision; visual size comparisons of largest known stars and planets; real-time animations of events like the Apophis asteroid passing near Earth in 2029; and comets colliding into planets, such as Shoemaker Levy 9's collision with Jupiter. Visual Lagrange points of the Earth and Moon can be simulated, along with gamma-ray burst locations and supernovas shown in real time.
Reader's Guide
Universe Sandbox has received near-universal acclaim. Duncan Geere of PC Gamer gave it an 84/100, describing it as an interactive orrery that players can rip apart and put back together, requiring imagination to enjoy. Jules of Wired praised it as a powerful gravity simulator more enthralling than most astronomy software. The game's significance lies in its ability to provide near-scientific simulations of space for illustrational purposes, allowing users to explore realistic and fictional scenarios. The remake, originally titled Universe Sandbox2, introduced new features including atmospheres on planets, simulation of planet compositions and surfaces, dynamic textures on stars and gas giants, a more realistic collision system, control over planetary life ecosystems, 3D charts, stellar evolution simulation, procedural detail in rings and particles, black hole visualization, and simulation of fluid-like objects. The team demonstrated many features at the Unite 2012 conference. In November 2018, the feature to share player-made simulations through Steam Workshop was added. In December 2018, the game was renamed from Universe Sandbox2 to Universe Sandbox, citing disputes over the game's pronunciation.
Did You Know?
- The original Universe Sandbox was released in May 2008 and designed by Dan Dixon.
- The game includes simulations of the Andromeda and Milky Way galaxy collision predicted to occur in 3.8 to 4.5 billion years.
- The game features a library including all major celestial bodies of the Solar System, tens of stars, exoplanets, black holes, and galactic formations.
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