Create & destroy on an unimaginable scale with a realistic physics-based space simulator. Explore the beauty of our universe and the fragility of our planet. Use science to bend the laws of gravity, collide planets, boil away oceans, fire epic space lasers, and customize your universe. VR optional.
Recent Reviews:
Overwhelmingly Positive (260) - 95% of the 260 user reviews in the last 30 days are positive.
All Reviews:
Overwhelmingly Positive (19,919) - 96% of the 19,919 user reviews for this game are positive.
Release Date:
Aug 24, 2015
Developer:
Publisher:
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Early Access Game

Get instant access and start playing; get involved with this game as it develops.

Note: This Early Access game is not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more

What the developers have to say:

Why Early Access?

“Universe Sandbox is in active development and has become a fully-featured, stable, and smooth-running space simulator.

We're proud of what we’ve created, and we know many fans are eager to explore and experiment with the universe.

We're constantly working on (and releasing) new features, improvements, and bug fixes.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“Building a universe simulator is a job that's never complete, and we plan to continue full development after leaving Early Access.

We have a long list of features and improvements that we're very excited about implementing and that will keep us busy for a long time to come.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“Some of the features and improvements we'd like to add:
  • Space megastructures
  • Basic life simulation
  • Support for custom models & textures
  • More dynamic terraforming & improved climate simulation
    • ✔ Added materials, including carbon dioxide, for more realistic terraforming and climate simulation
  • Additional materials to construct planets, moons, and atmospheres
    • ✔ Added materials like methane & oxygen to construct planets and create habitable or oppressive atmospheres
  • Steam Workshop support
    • ✔ Sharing sims on Workshop now included
  • Achievements
  • Language localization
    • ✔ Support for 20+ languages now included
  • Improved human-scale mode
  • More intuitive VR experience with features equal to desktop version
    • ✔ VR matches the features and functionality of the desktop version

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“It is already a fully-featured, stable, and smooth-running simulator.

We've fixed most of the serious issues and have made a lot of progress on optimizations for a range of hardware. Because it is a large-scale sandbox, though, it does have its share of bugs and could use polish in some areas.

The VR version of Universe Sandbox now nearly matches the features and functionality of the desktop version. We look forward to continuing to improve the experience in the future.”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“The price may increase as we add major features in the future.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“We actively seek community feedback from our in-game feedback form, our forums, Discord, and social media.

Community feedback helps us prioritize our long list of planned features and focus on fixing the worst bugs and issues. We make an effort to address every issue that comes our way.

We also add simulations and features based on community requests. We've already added support for sharing simulations on Steam Workshop and plan to support custom models and textures in the future to open up even more doors to the community's creativity.”
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VR Supported

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About This Game

Universe Sandbox is a realistic physics-based space simulator that allows you to create, destroy, and interact on an unimaginable scale.

It merges real-time gravity, climate, collision, and material interactions to reveal the beauty of our universe and the fragility of our planet.

Universe Sandbox includes the desktop version and a VR mode with support for the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift+Touch, and Windows Mixed Reality.

Simulate Gravity

N-body simulation at almost any speed using Newtonian mechanics. Real science, real physics, no supercomputer required.

Collide Planets & Stars

Epic, mind blowing collisions of massive planetary bodies that leave behind molten craters.

Create Your Own Systems

Start with a star, then add a planet. Spruce it up with moons, rings, comets, or even a black hole.

Model Planetary Climate

Watch sea ice grow and recede with the seasons because of a planet’s tilt - change the tilt and change the seasons. Or move planets close to a star and see the oceans boil away as the surface heats up.
Learn more...

Supernova a Star

Watch a supernova unfold by colliding two stars, cranking up their mass, or making them explode at your whim.

Explore Historical Events

Hitch a ride with spacecraft including Juno and New Horizons, or view a total solar eclipse.

Throw Planets in VR

Just grab and fling.

And more...

  • Material System - build planets out of Hydrogen, Iron, Rock, & Water
  • Stellar flares & volatile trails
  • Procedurally generated planets, stars, & galaxies
  • Pulsars
  • Light-warping black holes
  • Epic space lasers
  • Shape oceans & mountains on planet surfaces
  • Spin planets apart with centrifugal force
  • Original soundtrack by Macoubre
  • Support for 20+ languages
  • Share & explore simulations on Steam Workshop

System Requirements

Windows
macOS
    Minimum:
    • OS *: Windows 7 SP1+ (64-bit)*
    • Processor: 1.6 GHz dual-core
    • Memory: 2 GB RAM
    • Graphics: 2 GB Video Memory†, Shader Model 5.0
    • DirectX: Version 11
    • Storage: 2 GB available space
    • Additional Notes: * A 64-bit version of Windows is required for Universe Sandbox updates after November 2018. Users on 32-bit systems can still run previous versions. Learn more † Laptops or other computers that use integrated graphics (rather than dedicated graphics hardware) may see issues with Universe Sandbox even if they meet the video memory requirement. Dedicated video hardware is recommended.
    Recommended:
    • Processor: 3.6 GHz quad-core
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: 4 GB Video Memory
    • DirectX: Version 11
    • Additional Notes: For VR, see recommendations from your headset manufacturer
* Starting January 1st, 2024, the Steam Client will only support Windows 10 and later versions.
    Minimum:
    • OS: macOS 10.14+
    • Processor: 1.6 GHz dual-core
    • Memory: 2 GB RAM
    • Graphics: Metal, 2 GB Video Memory†
    • Storage: 2 GB available space
    • Additional Notes: † Laptops or other computers that use integrated graphics (rather than dedicated graphics hardware) may see issues with Universe Sandbox even if they meet the video memory requirement. Dedicated video hardware is recommended.
    Recommended:
    • Processor: 3.6 GHz quad-core
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: 4 GB Video Memory

What Curators Say

290 Curators have reviewed this product. Click here to see them.

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