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[SocieteDesMondesVirtuels]

A first-person, online space colonisation simulator with programmable virtual computers

Playtest the Technology Demo

Description

3001SQ is a first-person, online multiplayer space colonisation simulator set in a persistent universe that is being developed using an entirely custom engine for the PC platform (Windows, OS X, Linux).

Players can both move within and between spacecraft, perform EVAs and explore astronomical bodies seamlessly. The control of ships and stations can be automated by programming virtual machines that are fed with data from the virtual world. This system allows for integrated modding and a new kind of "offline gameplay".

Planets and moons yield resources that can be collected and traded; stations can be constructed on them by players, adding points of interest to natural structures.

The project is being developed by a handful of engineers and artists from France, the United Kingdom, Slovakia and Japan. We are currently creating the first commercial prototype, nicknamed "Red Edition", that will demo how the aforementioned features and systems work together to create a new kind of emergent gameplay experience.

Read more on our FAQ page

Screenshots and artworks

Exterior and cockpit design: every screen displays data from the virtual computer

Updates

• 2016-06-11 Screenshot Saturday: Tweet (Bootup Video)
• 2015-08-22 Screenshot Saturday: Tweet

Further resources

While we will post progress reports in this thread from time to time, you can also stay up to date by:

• Signing up to our Newsletter
• Following us on Twitter
• Following us on Facebook
• Checking out our Website

[notryan]

This looks interesting! Do you have a sample of what the programmable ship code?

[SocieteDesMondesVirtuels]

@notryan The virtual machine is based on AngelScript, that is close to C/C++ and can be distributed either as source or byte code ("app" package for the majority of users who probably don't want to get into the whole coding part themselves). The system API is inspired by the POSIX standards.

Balancing versatility and ease-of-use of the language and system libraries will benefit from getting feedback early on and we think that the TIGSource forums are a good place to find the kind of people that are both experienced in programming and can simultaneously estimate the implications for gameplay

We'll post some code with animated gifs of the effects in future updates of course.

[Preece]

This looks incredibly ambitious and promising! I look forward to seeing the progress.

[SocieteDesMondesVirtuels]

@Preece Thanks! Due to our limited resources as indie team our mantra is creating a few, high quality objects that however allow lots of interactions. The programming aspect should furthermore link objects together and allow even more complex assisted actions or automated simple actions <- That's the plan! 

[lithander]

The concept reminds me of Notch's 0x10c project

I was really looking forward to it tbh so it's great to hear you're attempting something similar. Also I always appreciate someone bold enough to develop it's on technology. You've got yourself a new follower! =)

[SocieteDesMondesVirtuels]

@lithander 0x10c was definitely an inspiration, while programmable virtual machines play a key role in recent titles like Duskers, TIS-100 or the upcoming Screeps as well.

Running our own tech was decided after evaluating current engines and what modifications would be required in our case. It also helped to know that small teams could create things like Rodina, Space Engine or Limit Theory

[SocieteDesMondesVirtuels]

Time to brush up on your AngelScript and POSIX functions for our Technology Demo coming out next week. 

A little preview of what you can do with your spacecraft's 3001SQ computer:

Code:

void devicePowerOn(string nodePath)
{
	int fd = open(nodePath, O_WRONLY);
			
	if (fd == -1)
	{
		print("Failed to open " + nodePath);
		return;
	}

	vector<var> controlOn =
	{
		Control_Device_Power,
		Device_PowerMode_On
	};
	
	write(fd, controlOn);
	close(fd);
}

// ...

devicePowerOn("/dev/light4");
sleep(2);
devicePowerOn("/dev/therm0");
usleep(750000);
devicePowerOn("/dev/therm1");
usleep(750000);

// ...

[SocieteDesMondesVirtuels]

User-applications were added in the latest update.

Coding mode presentation video

An example what you can do:



Documentation:

• Getting Started
• Tutorial: Controlling your spacecraft's ceiling lights
• Device control codes
• GitHub repositories with reference/example code

[ashtonmorris]

This looks very cool. Excited to see more!