Space Engine is a free space simulation software that lets you explore the universe in three dimensions, starting from planet Earth to the most distant galaxies. Areas of the known universe are represented using actual astronomical data, while regions uncharted by human astronomy are generated procedurally. Millions of galaxies, trillions of stars, countless planets!
Yeah this engine is awesome. It's, basically, a sound stand-alone space exploration game. Titans of Space is good, but let's face it, the only thing to match Space Engine is Outerra, but it only covers planet Earth.
The one thing that's disappointing yet realistic about it is that you can't find alien life. Chances that any particular star has a life on one of it's planets are right next to zero to begin with, but even then, just see how many billions of years it takes to develop from bacteria to a small animal or vegetable and how short is time span of large creatures let alone civilizations - even if you find a planet that has life, chance that you will hit exactly the time after the life (or civilization) have begun but before it's ceased to exist are about as little. Of course this engine simply doesn't goes to simulating a life on the planets, but still.
If you think of it too much, the insignificance of your whole kind -a mankind- and the futility of a whole life existence as a thing unfolds vibrantly to you.
This would be so epic in the rift, space is the Last Frontier and something none of us will be able to experience with out the rift. I can't wait to see where this will go the videos look very cool and extremely realistic!
I say none of us will ever experience interstellar travelling - it's been 60 years since we went to space and the best results so far are men on the moon (which is still arguable). Not that there's any meaning in interstellar travelling without a warp-drive so that we Earth dwellers wouldn't have to wait hundreds of years for the space exploration team to return.
I dare to say that manking will never go as far as intergalactic travelling. So yeah, VR is your only option, ever.
Just to let you know, something very similar to this is already in development, it's call Elite Dangerous. It will have a fully procedurally generated galaxy with all the core star systems modelled to the best of their knowledge. It also will be supporting the Rift as part of its development, which goes into alpha in December. Also, like the devs of Space Engine, the guys over at Frontier Developments are very much into their astrophysics, so expect a very detailed galaxy and star systems to pilot through. 😄
"raidho36" wrote: The lead developer of Space Engine is an astronomist and have a job in observatory.
From the clip I can tell that Elite Dangerous spares a lot of realism in favor of spicy visuals.
I was in no way knocking Space Engine, it's brilliant and has a constant place on my HD, and indeed would be great with a OR update. I was just saying that the guys at FD and David Braben have a keen interest in astronomy and it is reflected in his/their gaming design. ED It not just all about gloss and eye-candy, thus I'd humbly suggest you not be so keen to kick the baby out of the water bucket basic on one video clip.
Space Engine is more of a orbital body simulation, an educational package, were as Elite Dangerous is a game with detailed astronomical added to it (more than most games you'll find out there to date). Point being is, they are slightly different things, one a game, one a educational package. :geek:
Yeah, I'm really looking forward to Elite Dangerous. It's legend after all. But ED looks like a traditional space opera sim, while the Space Engine game will be more hard sci-fi. :ugeek:
Awesome, I hadn't heard of Elite Dangerous until now. Something to look forward to! 🙂
I checked out Space Engine forums, and it seems like the dev is unfortunately having trouble getting his hands on a Rift because he's in Russia. Bummer!
Titans of Space PLUS for Quest is now available on DrashVR.com
