The Tech Behind Sand Games: Exploring Noida and its Mechanics

🕹️Sand games like Noida combine the mechanics of roguelikes with popular falling sand games, creating a unique gaming experience.

📐Falling sand simulations are complex cellular automata, where particles interact with their immediate neighbors based on specific rules.

🌊Water and other liquids in sand games behave similarly to sand particles but also flow horizontally and interact with surrounding particles.

🔥Fire particles in sand games exhibit dynamic behaviors, consuming flammable particles nearby and generating smoke as a byproduct.

🌈Sand games can simulate various other particles, such as gunpowder, salts, lava, steam, oil, and acid, each with its own unique properties and interactions.

What makes Noida different from other sand games?

—Noida combines elements from roguelikes and falling sand games, offering a unique gameplay experience that blends strategy and creativity.

How do falling sand simulations work?

—Falling sand simulations are based on complex cellular automata, where particles interact with their neighbors based on rules governing their behavior and interactions.

Can you create your own sand game using Gunslinger?

—Yes, Gunslinger is an open-source framework that can be used to create your own sand game. It provides the necessary tools and examples to get started.

What other particles can be simulated in sand games?

—In addition to sand, water, and fire, sand games can simulate various other particles such as gunpowder, salts, lava, steam, oil, and acid, each with its own unique properties and interactions.

Are there any resources available to learn more about sand games?

—Yes, there are websites and GDC talks where you can learn more about the algorithms and techniques used in sand games, including Noida.

00:00Introduction and background on playing Noida and sand games.

01:13Explanation of falling sand simulations as complex cellular automata.

03:18Water and other liquids in sand games behave similarly to sand particles but also flow horizontally and interact with surrounding particles.

05:58Fire particles in sand games exhibit dynamic behaviors, consuming flammable particles nearby and generating smoke as a byproduct.

07:56Sand games can simulate various other particles, such as gunpowder, salts, lava, steam, oil, and acid, each with its own unique properties and interactions.