Burning Sand
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| Burning Sand | |
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| Developer(s) | Max Nagl |
| Designer(s) | Max Nagl |
| Release date(s) | 2005 |
| Genre(s) | Physics-based |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Media | Download |
| Input | Mouse |
Burning Sand is a game based on Falling Sand Game, written by Max Nagl and available as a free download.
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[edit] Gameplay
Burning Sand is a sandbox game. The game involves many particles, and allows for more particles to be added by the player. Each of these elements have properties that can be manipulated; such as burning, growing, and eroding. By mixing the different elements together, many colourful designs, complex structures and systems can be created.
In order for the framerate to remain at it's highest, the playing surface must remain a square, which is also noted under Resolution on the bottom status bar.
[edit] Differences to Falling Sand
Whilst Falling Sand is a browser-based game, Burning Sand is downloaded as an executable file and comes with an example set-up which simulates a distillery.
Burning Sand allows users to create their own particle types, setting how they interact with other elements. Because of this, particles are categorized into groups to allow easier navigation. Extra interesting features include gravity reversal and screen rotation.
Burning Sand does not feature the Namekuji.
[edit] Elements and their interactions
The default elements are divided into six categories:
- Clear, containing 'utility' elements which destroy or move other particles.
- Earth, containing relatively inert elements including the eponymous Sand, immovable Walls, Salt, and a slow-growing Crystal.
- Water, containing several Water and Oil sources. Such 'fluids' are still made from individual particles, but appear liquid-like because of a low viscosity and high slide and spray rate. Glue, as one would expect, is sticky; but also has some strange effects such as being ignited by Extinguisher and transforming Stone to Sand. Ice, a Water source, also slowly grows when placed in water.
- Fire, containing unstable particles. Fire particles rise upwards and ignite Oil and other flammable elements resulting in a fast chain-reaction, and also transforms Water to Steam. TNT is stable until ignited, causing a contained explosion - the only reaction able to destroy Wall (other than the explosive reaction between Glue and Extinguisher). Extinguisher exists to remove fire. Acid erodes almost anything, including normally inert sources. It mutually anihilates with Water. Comet is a complex element consisting of falling 'molten rock' particles which emit rising Fire particles. On contact with Water, the molten rock is transformed into sand and the Water becomes Steam.
- Plant, containing organic materials. Plant is stable until water touches it, at which point it grows rapidly. Seeds are a light gravity-obeying version of plant. Wood is solid and interacts subtly with Plant. Parasites drift like seeds, but consume Plants and Wood. All elements in this category are effected by Fire, with Plant burning the fastest, followed by Wood, and then Wax. Plants are eroded by salt.
- Steam, containing lighter-than-air particles. Steam slowly condenses into water. Two versions of Gas are present, each igniting at different speeds in the presence of Fire.
Several elements exist that are uncategorized. Most are transitional particles (such as 'burning plant'), others become more permament, such as the saltwater that is created when salt and water mix. Saltwater does not cause plants to grow, and fire will evaporate the water leaving the salt behind as demonstrated in the example destiller file. The saltwater will also erode sources of Volcano.
Categories include 'sources' for some element types. These are non-falling particles that are usually inert, producing their child element at a constant rate. There are a few exceptions; Water and Salt erode each others sources; Ice and Cloud erode as they produce Water.
[edit] External links
- Burning Sand - Max Nagl's homepage, contains the official burning sand information.
- Burning Sand Forums - Forum in for the Burning sand game
- FallingSandGame Forums - Burning Sand
