Debut: Planet Simulation (1990)

by Nish
written by Nish 4 minutes read

Summary

Debut: Planet Simulation (1990)

Debut: Planet Simulation is a god game released in 1990 by Maxis, the company founded by Will Wright, who would later create the Sims franchise. It is a unique and complex game that allows players to create their own planet and watch it evolve over time.

Gameplay

The game begins with the player creating a planet. The player can choose the size, mass, and composition of the planet, as well as the amount of water and atmosphere. The player can also choose to add life to the planet, in the form of plants and animals.

Once the planet is created, the player can then watch it evolve over time. The player can speed up or slow down the game’s clock, and can also zoom in and out to get a closer look at the planet’s surface.

The player can also interact with the planet in a number of ways. The player can use the mouse to move objects around the planet, or to create new objects. The player can also use the keyboard to type in commands, which can be used to change the planet’s environment or to create new life forms.

Features

Debut: Planet Simulation is a very complex game, with a wide range of features. Some of the game’s features include:

  • Procedural generation: The game’s planets are procedurally generated, which means that they are unique every time the game is played.
  • Real-time simulation: The game’s planets are simulated in real time, which means that they are constantly changing and evolving.
  • Terraforming: The player can use the game’s terraforming tools to change the planet’s environment. The player can add or remove water, change the temperature, and add or remove atmosphere.
  • Life simulation: The game’s life simulation engine allows the player to create and evolve life forms on their planet. The player can create plants, animals, and even intelligent beings.
  • Modding: The game’s modding community has created a wide range of mods that add new features and content to the game.

Reception

Debut: Planet Simulation was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its originality, complexity, and replayability. The game was also a pioneer in the god game genre, and it helped to inspire a number of other games, including the Sims franchise.

Legacy

Debut: Planet Simulation is a classic game that is still enjoyed by many people today. The game’s unique gameplay and complex simulation engine make it a truly unique and immersive experience. The game is also a testament to the creativity and vision of Will Wright, one of the most influential game designers of all time.

Additional Information

  • Developer: Maxis
  • Publisher: Maxis
  • Release date: 1990
  • Platforms: Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, Macintosh
  • Genre: God game
  • ESRB rating: Everyone

Awards

  • Golden Joystick Award for Best Simulation Game (1990)
  • Computer Gaming World Game of the Year (1990)

Related Games

  • SimEarth (1990)
  • The Sims (2000)
  • Spore (2008)
  • No Man’s Sky (2016)

External Links

Review Score

7.5/10

Profile photo of Nish

Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.

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