Stardust Sandbox v2.5.1.1: Optimization and General Improvements Update

This update aims to introduce small optimizations and improvements to the game, enhancing the overall experience. Below is a list of the main changes:

• Some Gul save properties have been renamed
• UI construction now relies on a more robust and less resource-intensive algorithm, resulting in a slight performance improvement
• A shortcut has been added to toggle between Fullscreen and Windowed mode (default key is F11, but it can be changed in the settings menu)
• Item variants (such as different types of wool, dyes, and brushes) have been simplified and unified under a shared code structure, optimizing their behavior and removing structural redundancies
• Local achievement synchronization has been fixed; players will no longer unlock all achievements upon launching the game

Overall, these are minor changes, but they contribute to a more consistent experience. The goal is to ensure the game remains enjoyable and engaging.

Links and Resources

• Itch.io: Official Page (Itch)
• Steam: Official Page (Steam)
• Post (steam): v2.5.1.1 — Optimization and General Improvements Update
• Post (itch.io): Stardust Sandbox v2.5.1.1: Optimization and General Improvements Update
• Full Changelog: v2.5.1.0...v2.5.1.1

Stardust Sandbox v2.5.1.0: Launch & Polish

Hi everyone! I hope you're all doing well! 😁

I'm delighted to announce the new update for Stardust Sandbox, version 2.5.1.0, which brings several improvements and fixes, focusing on quality of life and a more sophisticated gaming experience. Below, you'll find the complete changelog for this update.

Changelog

• Added support for widescreen monitors
• The interface now automatically adapts whenever the game window dimensions are changed
• Set a minimum resolution for the game
• Implemented free zoom
• The camera can now move freely and view content beyond map limits
• The old cloud system was replaced with a static sprite in the background
• The background and parallax system now adapt to the current screen resolution
• The world now has a visible border indicating the simulation limits
• Added the "Item Search" menu (text search), accessible through the "Item Explorer"
• The options menu was completely redesigned: now has its own sprite and applies all changes instantly
• New options were added to the settings section
• The input system was reformulated to allow settings to be applied instantly without needing to restart the game
• Adjustments and small additions to localization and translation texts
• Added a new selector-type input component, making it easier to choose between multiple values
• Actors outside the camera's view area are no longer rendered
• Implemented a simple LOD system: when moving the camera beyond a certain distance, elements are rendered as solid color pixels
• Changed some shortcuts and default command keys
• Fixed an error that occurred with tooltips at reduced screen resolutions

Steam Launch

Version 2.5.1.0 also marks the official launch of Stardust Sandbox on Itch.io and Steam. From now on, the game will be available on both platforms, and players can choose where they want to get it. The Steam launch is an important step toward reaching a wider audience and providing an even better experience.

Acknowledgments

Despite the challenges, it's a great satisfaction to continue developing Stardust Sandbox and further improve the gaming experience. In future updates, I plan to add exciting content that is already in the planning phase. Even without new items in this version, I hope this update provides more refined and polished gameplay.

So, enjoy Stardust Sandbox and keep creating.

Links and Resources

• Itch.io: Official Game Page
• Steam: Official Game Page
• Post (itch.io): Stardust Sandbox v2.5.1.0: Launch & Polish
• Full Changelog: v2.4.0.0...v2.5.1.0

Stardust Sandbox v2.4.0.0: Electrical Foundations

Hello everyone! I hope you're doing well!

I'm here this afternoon to announce another update for Stardust Sandbox: version 2.4.0.0. This release brings a series of improvements, bug fixes, and new content aimed at making the overall experience even more engaging and consistent.

Below, I list all the changes made over the last few days. At the end, there's also an important announcement about the game's launch on the Steam platform. Get comfortable and feel free to read on.

Changelog

Modifications

• The project's code has been completely restructured, now organized into two main libraries, focusing on better organization and future expansions.
• Smoke now disappears gradually instead of remaining indefinitely on the map.

Additions

• The application now accepts new initialization parameters through the flags --no-music-delay, --hide-tooltips, --can-hide-hud, and --can-hide-mouse.
• Implemented a new achievements system designed to reward specific player actions.
• Added a new experimental electricity system, including conductors and related elements.
• Gul now dies when coming into contact with electric current.
• Custom temperatures for certain times of day are now correctly saved and loaded in world save files.
• Removed the update notification system.

Bug Fixes

• Chunk updates now occur more fairly, reducing bias in the element update order.
• Fixed entity loading from save files.

Notes

It's important to note that the electricity system is still in an experimental phase and may present bugs or unexpected behavior. Any issues identified will be addressed in future updates.

Steam Launch

I'm delighted to announce that Stardust Sandbox will launch on Steam on March 3rd, 2026. This is a very important milestone for the project, and I'm extremely excited to share this news with all of you.

If you're interested in adding the game to your wishlist, you can do so through the link below:
Stardust Sandbox on Steam.

This small action contributes significantly to the game's promotion and reaching new players.

Acknowledgments

Finally, I'd like to thank everyone for the continued support of Stardust Sandbox. Every piece of feedback, suggestion, and word of encouragement is extremely valuable to me and to the game's development.

I hope you enjoy all the new features of this version and have a lot of fun playing!

Links and Resources

• Itch.io: Official Game Page
• Steam: Official Game Page
• Post (itch.io): Stardust Sandbox v2.4.0.0: Electrical Foundations
• Full Changelog: v2.3.0.0...v2.4.0.0

Stardust Sandbox v2.3.0.0: Procedural Foundations

Hello everyone! I hope you're all doing well! 😁

I'm here once again to announce a new update for Stardust Sandbox, this time version 2.3.0.0, which, as always, brings improvements and new content. Below, you'll find the complete changelog for the update.

Procedural Generation

This feature has been on my plans for quite some time. Therefore, I decided to finally bring it to life. Now, Stardust Sandbox features its own Procedural Generation system, developed to jumpstart your initial creations and provide a creative foundation you can build upon.

This new feature is available in the Generator Settings menu, a submenu of World Settings. There, you'll find different themes, settings, and content that can be included in procedural generation. When you click the "Generate" button, the magic happens and a brand new world is created for you.

The procedural generation implemented in the game uses a simple algorithm that initially creates a horizontal terrain map and then fills the world with familiar game elements (which may vary depending on the selected theme). With this base ready, additional content comes into play, allowing for greater dynamism and a more refined level of detail.

The algorithm is still in an experimental phase and may undergo significant changes in upcoming updates. However, at this moment, I've concluded that it's "good enough" and meets most current needs. An interesting point is that procedural generation uses percentages to dynamically adapt to world size, meaning the generator will work correctly regardless of the chosen dimensions.

Here's a tip for getting good results: opt for larger world sizes. This ensures more flexibility for the generator and reduces the chance of inconsistent results, especially when adding lots of content. Below is a screenshot of the in-game menu from version v2.3.0.0:

I emphasize the version since future additions and changes may occur.

Next, a small sample of content that can be generated with the current generator:

Themes are responsible for defining both the terrain and elements present in the world. They directly affect the list of available content, ensuring the cohesion necessary for creating more interesting worlds. You can also choose which layers the content will be generated on, allowing you to use the front layer, back layer, or both.

Smoothed Movement

Another quite relevant modification was smoothing camera movement. Previously, when pressing a movement button, the camera would shift abruptly and instantly. Now, movement features progressive acceleration and deceleration, adding a greater sense of professionalism and significantly improving player immersion.

• NEW:

• OLD:

Shortcuts

As expected, new shortcuts have been added to the project:

• Left Shift (default key): when held down, allows faster movement;
• Tab (default key): allows toggling the brush format.

Flags

The game now features the --no-music-delay flag (alias -nmd), which removes the silent interval between songs during gameplay.

Changes

Save Files

Save files underwent a small change in how actors were stored. Due to a structural error, information was being saved incorrectly, which hindered some internal processes. For this reason, it was necessary to modify the format of the file responsible for saving map content, making some files from previous versions that used actors incompatible.

Background Clouds

Background clouds also underwent a complete overhaul behind the scenes. Now, they feature a more suitable structure and more efficient system management, plus they're slightly more optimized.

Chunks

If you use the --show-chunks (alias -sc) flag when launching the game via terminal, you'll notice that chunks now display a grid effect. This effect aims to more clearly demonstrate the size and individual limits of each chunk.

Bug Fixes

Below are some fixes made in this version:

• Key input fields in the options menu had incorrect descriptions;
• While the player is interacting with a menu, the simulation's interaction area—which increased or decreased with mouse scroll—will no longer be altered.

Things That Went Wrong

Unfortunately, one feature I attempted to implement but was unsuccessful with in this version was the ability to zoom the map. The logic involved is relatively complex, and although I feel I'm on the right track, I've decided to postpone this feature until I find a more suitable approach.

Thanks

Despite the challenges, it's a great satisfaction to continue working on Stardust Sandbox and further enhance the game experience. In upcoming updates, I plan to add exciting content that's already in the planning phase. Even without the inclusion of new items in this version, I hope this update provides more refined gameplay compared to the previous one.

Enjoy Stardust Sandbox and keep creating.

💖

Links and Resources

• Itch.io: Official Game Page
• Post (itch.io): Stardust Sandbox v2.3.0.0: Procedural Foundations
• Full Changelog: v2.2.3.1...v2.3.0.0

Stardust Sandbox v2.2.3.1: Entity Update

Introduction

Hello everyone. I hope you are all doing well.

Tonight, I am here to announce the latest update to Stardust Sandbox. This time, the focus is on introducing a completely new system to the project: the entity system. This addition represents an important step in the game's evolution, opening new possibilities and establishing a solid foundation for even more engaging content and announcements in the future.

Below, you can find a complete list of all changes implemented in this release.

Changelog

• A completely new API was developed to support the entity system;
• Entities are now properly saved within world save files;
• The save file reader has been improved and is now more tolerant, allowing inconsistent files to be loaded without causing the game to crash entirely;
• Fixed an issue that was preventing proper convection between liquids;
• New textures have been added to the project;
• A new procedural world generation system has been implemented (the default key to generate new worlds is G);
• Tree seeds and saplings will now only grow when placed exclusively on Fertile Soil;
• New translations have been added to the game;
• The options menu ScrollBar is now selectable and draggable;
• The Gul entity has been added to the project and can be accessed through the item explorer under a new element category: actors;
• Interaction with actors only occurs when they are selected in the HUD; otherwise, they remain immutable in the world.

Acknowledgements

I would like to once again thank everyone for the continued support the game has received since the last update. There are still several pending items to be completed in order to close the primary update cycle, but it is a great source of pride to see everything that has been built so far.

The project has reached the milestone of 1,000 commits on GitHub, which represents a significant and highly rewarding achievement. Therefore, be sure to explore Stardust Sandbox and enjoy the experience it offers. My goal remains to provide the best possible experience to everyone who takes the time to play.

Soon, I will publish an article focused on the development process of Stardust Sandbox over the years. In addition, the second episode of the game's DevLog series on YouTube is planned. And perhaps, in a not-so-distant future, something even more special awaits the project — but that will remain a secret for now.

In any case, I would like to leave my sincere thanks and reinforce the invitation for everyone to enjoy the game as a whole.

Links and Resources

• Itch.io: Official Game Page
• Post (itch.io): Stardust Sandbox v2.2.3.1: Entity Update
• Full Changelog: v2.1.1.0...v2.2.3.1

Stardust Sandbox v2.1.1.0 - Hotfixes

This update aimed to fix the cloners that were crashing due to a faulty internal logic. Other changes included general code refactoring.

Links and Resources

• Itch.io: Official Game Page
• Post (itch.io): Stardust Sandbox v2.1.1.0: Hotfixes
• Full Changelog: v2.1.0.0...v2.1.1.0

Stardust Sandbox v2.1.0.0 - Hotfixes

Hello everyone, good evening! This update aims to fix some minor inconveniences from version 2.1.0.0 and add some new content. Below is a complete record of the changes.

Changelog

• Track 6 from volume 1 was added to the project: "The Desire for a Better Future";
• Music now plays at more spaced intervals, with possible silences of 30 to 60 seconds;
• The sound engine received some additions to improve music selection quality;
• Fixed the error where music would play even when the window was out of focus;
• The internal movement logic of liquids was updated for better smoothness;
• When the game is opened for the first time, it automatically chooses the ideal resolution for the user;
• Tools were added that allow the game to communicate with external APIs through networking;
• Now, when a new version is released, a message will appear in the main menu telling you to update the game;
• The internal API for accessing map elements was redesigned to use exclusively element indexes instead of instance references;
• The fire element was trying to access non-existent elements, which was causing errors;
• Corruption was crashing the game when trying to spread.

Links and Resources

• Itch.io: Official Game Page
• Post (itch.io): Stardust Sandbox v2.1.0.0: Hotfixes
• Full Changelog: v2.0.0.0...v2.1.0.0

Stardust Sandbox v2.0.0.0

Hello, everyone! I'm thrilled to finally release version 2.0.0.0 of Stardust Sandbox! This version brings a series of new content listed below.

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for the support the game has received this year. This project has become my most popular creation, which fills me with joy and emotion. Knowing that people enjoy this particular experience is very special, and I hope to continue developing and improving everything even further! 😁

Without further ado, here's the complete list of all changes and additions.

Changelog

Additions

• 47 new elements were added, including:
  • Anti Corruption, Devourer, Pushers (Upward, Rightward, Downward, Leftward)
  • Cloud, Charged Cloud, Lightning
  • Dry and Damp Wool (9 color variations)
  • Fertile Soil, Seed, Sapling, Moss
  • Gunpowder, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Obsidian
  • Paints (9 colors) and Mercury
• Linux version restored
• New music and sound effects system (supports up to 32 simultaneous sounds)
• 3 new music tracks with random playback at irregular intervals
• Sound effects in menus and interactive objects
• Support for 6 languages: Portuguese (pt-BR), English (en-US), Spanish (es-ES), French (fr-FR), and German (de-DE)
• 2 configuration files: status and control
• New element properties: IsPushable and IsConductive
• "Temperature Settings" menu for global temperature control
• "Pen Settings" menu with options to toggle layer visibility (background/foreground)
• HUD animations
• Visual indicator when simulation is paused
• Command-line execution parameters
• Native message boxes on Linux (via zenity)
• Guidance message when expanding the world
• Customizable action key remapping
• Optimized input system

Bug Fixes

• Transition from fixed FPS to DeltaTime (uniform execution independent of FPS)
• Assets are no longer compressed
• Resolution adjusted to window with letterboxing when necessary
• Memory optimization: references instead of copies for various internal objects in code
• Saves now preserve element fall state
• Saved worlds correctly record status in the current session

Removals

• Explosive sounds were removed

Changes

• Source code restructured into a single internal library
• Save system modified (incompatible with v1.2.2.0)
• UI completely redesigned with tree system support
• Options menu redesigned
• Internal temperature system calculations adjusted
• macOS support discontinued (lack of demand)
• Assets stored in external repository (GitHub submodule)
• Asset loading reformulated (fixed naming, no automatic enumeration)
• Sprites merged into sprite-sheets for optimization
• Descriptions in pt-BR and en-US improved
• Logs generated with more details
• Element neighborhood API optimized
• Default GraphicsProfile changed from HiDef to Reach
• All decimal values exclusively use float type

Final Notes

• This version modified several systems and may present instabilities that will be fixed by patches
• Some additions were postponed for future updates
• Sound effects for elements are still under evaluation

Acknowledgments

Thank you again! Version 2.0.0.0 is available at: https://starciad.itch.io/stardust-sandbox.

For full details, check the changelog on GitHub: v1.2.2.0...v2.0.0.0.

Enjoy!

Stardust Sandbox v1.2.2.0 - Hotfixes

We're happy to share the v1.2.2.0 update, which focuses on fixing some unfortunate bugs from the last release.

🛠 Fixes and Improvements

• The game now supports a maximum of 32 simultaneous sound effects, improving performance and stability.
• Adjusted the behavior of the “Erase Everything” and “Reload Simulation” buttons: instead of destroying all elements in the world, they now simply remove them.

These changes resolve issues that could previously cause unexpected crashes or interruptions.

We appreciate your feedback and patience as we work to refine the game. Enjoy the improved experience, and let us know if you encounter any further issues! 🧪

Thank you for your continued support!

Observations

There have been no changes to the assets. Assets made available for download in version 1.2.0.0 are still compatible in this version.

Links and Resources

• Itch.io: Official Game Page
• Post (itch.io): Stardust Sandbox v1.2.2.0 - Hotfixes
• Full Changelog: v1.2.0.0...v1.2.2.0

Stardust Sandbox v1.2.0.0 - Elements & Interactions Update

It’s time to announce the release of v1.2.0.0, the Elements and Interactions Update! This version brings a variety of new assets, mechanics, and fixes to enhance the gameplay experience. With this update, players have more tools and materials to experiment with, along with several improvements to the underlying interactions and systems.

🆕 What’s New?

🔹 New Elements

This update introduces several new elements that expand the possibilities for interactions and creativity:

Name	Description	Category
Clone	Generates other elements infinitely when in contact until destroyed or removed.	Solids
Oil	A highly flammable liquid element.	Liquids
Bomb	Explodes when activated, spreading flames, smoke, and destroying elements within a specific radius.	Explosives
Sponge (dry/wet)	Absorbs water in a 3x3 area when dry and releases it when heated.	Solids
Void	Absorbs and destroys everything it touches.	Solids
Ash	Residue from burned materials, dark gray in color with a grainy texture.	Powders
Gold	A shiny, malleable yellow metal.	Solids
Heater	A block that constantly heats its neighbors.	Solids
Freezer	A block that constantly freezes its neighbors.	Solids
Salt	Salt crystals obtained by evaporating salt water.	Powders
Salt Water	A liquid containing salt that can be evaporated or used for chemical reactions.	Liquids

⚙️ Key Features

• A new mechanic has been added to enable explosive elements with varying blast resistances.
• Gases and liquids now feature realistic convection behaviors (#51).
• Liquids and gases behave more realistically, with generalized logic for heat transfer and freezing.
• New tools and icons have been added, with fixes for erasing background elements.
• Names and descriptions for all new items have been localized.

🛠 Fixes and Improvements

• Fixed the Void element consuming Clone by mistake.
• Adjusted the Oil element's appearance for better clarity.
• Improved the handling of liquid and gas interactions, making movement and spread more consistent.
• "Pen" tool now works correctly with background elements.
• Code refactoring: optimized namespaces, standardized naming, and improved maintainability.
• The movement of gases was standardized and they have the characteristic of spreading.

🔍 Notes

While this update introduces significant changes and new features, some systems (e.g., the lighting system) are still in the experimental phase and have been temporarily removed for further refinement. Future updates will continue building on this foundation.

We hope you enjoy exploring the new elements and mechanics in this update! As always, your feedback is invaluable—please feel free to share your thoughts and report any issues on the issues page.

Thank you for your support!

Links and Resources

• Itch.io: Official Game Page
• Post (itch.io): Stardust Sandbox v1.2.0.0 - Elements & Interactions Update
• Full Changelog: v1.1.0.0...v1.2.0.0