Terra Firma
Games
terrain simulation sandbox
SHOW HN2023
How HN took it
15 positive, 16 neutral or asking, 0 mixed, 3 critical, out of 34 comments about the project. Thread score +0.39.
Idea: 11 for, 0 againstPerformance: 2 for, 1 againstExecution: 1 for, 1 againstDesign: 0 for, 1 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Relaxing sandbox, a zen-like toy
From 3 comments
My favorite aspect of this game is that it’s not actually a game, and more like a zen garden. Adding more game elements would ruin that aspect.
ModernMech on HNEvokes the same "staring at a lava lamp" feeling as Weather Sandbox [0]. I yearn for a Sim Earth replacement and seeing folks work on simulation sandboxes like this give me hope.…
iFred on HNWhat a cool toy! Thank you for sharing this.
h2odragon on HN
Impressive water and erosion simulation
From 2 comments
I've myself tried to create a small simulation of water and erosion, and although very fun I found it extremely hard to implement. (so well done to you!) Is it a grid based…
alex_duf on HNWhat a cool toy! Thank you for sharing this.
h2odragon on HN
Works on integrated graphics and under Proton
From 2 comments
Very neat simulation. As a note, you said it requires a dedicated graphics card but it does seem to work fine on my laptop's integrated graphics (AMD 4500U) and performance was…
opencl on HNWorks fine under proton for me - have you turned on the steam option to use a compatibility layer for games that haven't been tested?
danielheath on HN
Objections
Rivers look too straight and lack meanders
From 2 comments
Is it only sandbox mode, or does it have some scenarios with an objective? The river look too straight. I expected more meanders.
gus_massa on HNI think the water is missing momentum? It seems to always to prefer to create 90 degree bends and straight lines. Or maybe that's just an artifact of the terrain mesh being axis…
waiseristy on HN
Needs objectives or gamification
From 1 comment
I like poking around with these sorts of sandboxes, but in order to gamify it, you might need some objectives, limitations and planning goals, eg: - you have a limited amount of…
greggsy on HN
Trees do not render properly under Proton
From 1 comment
It runs with that option but trees don't render properly so it's not perfect.
calebegg on HN
Requests
Heightmap or map export
From 3 comments
Actually if this had a good export feature, this could be a very useful tool for other level designers to start crafting their imaginary worlds in a way that those worlds make…
gampleman on HNPlenty of us prefer open ended sandboxes/simulators like Minecraft, C:S, flight sims. Following game designer gets boring fast, setting own goals is always fun Speaking of CS, I…
throwaway290 on HNAdd some way to export heightmaps or topographical maps, and this will be useful for RPG scenario writers (so much better than the standard "macaroni throw" method of island…
DocTomoe on HN
Linux or Steam Deck support
From 1 comment
It looks really cool and I'd love to play it but I don't have a Windows PC. Any chance you have plans to make it available on Linux/Steam Deck?
calebegg on HN
Different rock types and topsoil layers
From 2 comments
Yes. Plus different rocks types, since how different rocks respond to erosion is an important factor in why the world looks the way it does.
mehwoot on HNAny plans on dealing with topsoil vs bedrock? Seeing water only on the surface above what looks like an impermeable layer looks odd to me, unless I'm misreading the video.
bradbeattie on HN
Populous-style scenarios
From 2 comments
I understand this would be a magnitude more work, but I'd pay money for these mechanics in a snes style populous remake
gmadsen on HNCheck out Populous or Powermonger for games with levels and an objective.
kleiba on HN
Questions
Is there a scenario or objective mode?
From 1 comment
Is it only sandbox mode, or does it have some scenarios with an objective? The river look too straight. I expected more meanders.
gus_massa on HN
Is it grid based and how is water computed?
From 1 comment
I've myself tried to create a small simulation of water and erosion, and although very fun I found it extremely hard to implement. (so well done to you!) Is it a grid based…
alex_duf on HN
Does it work on GeForce Now?
From 1 comment
Do you as a dev have to do anything to make it available on GeForce Now?
antihero on HN
Alternatives named
From Dust
From 2 comments
From Dust played with the idea of terrain manipulation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk4hRWD6BT8 I played it on the Xbox 360, but it's on Steam as well.…
ThomW on HNLook at From Dust[1] for something like this with gameplay, more recent than Populous (Xbox 360 generation). [1] https://www.ubisoft.com/en-gb/game/from-dust
speps on HN
Populous
From 2 comments
Populous was a game (series of games) where you could raise and lower mountains for various reasons, this mechanism could be used in a game like that. Actually I do remember a…
Cthulhu_ on HNCheck out Populous or Powermonger for games with levels and an objective.
kleiba on HN
Cities: Skylines
From 1 comment
Cities: Skylines. Though exporting for Transport Fever 2 would also be nice.
Svip on HN
Timberborn
From 1 comment
How about Timberborn? The whole game revolves around water management.
princesse on HN
Wetrix
From 1 comment
I’m reminded of Wetrix on the N64. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wetrix
knolan on HN