Tidal Expanse

Tidal Expanse is an open universe sandbox game with deep simulation mechanics. It is in early development, with graphical assets and menus serving as placeholders, but the core ambition is clear: balance life support, advanced thermodynamics, and meticulous resource management to build planetary and orbital outposts. Players can pursue power through economic leverage or ruthless military strategy across a growing expanse of worlds.

Core Systems

Thermodynamics: Space stations run a detailed thermal simulation. Use nodes such as heat exchangers, heat pumps, and black-body radiators to move heat from the atmosphere into a liquid thermal mass and finally dump it as infrared radiation into space. Any liquid circuit can serve as a thermal mass, but heating random fluids can trigger unexpected outcomes as temperatures rise or fall.

Atmosphere Composition: Thin metal walls separate crew from the vacuum. Air is scarce and replenishment is not reliable. The balance of CO2 and oxygen is critical: too much CO2 poisons your population, too little suffocates crops; too much oxygen can risk fires. Managing air quality is essential to both survival and productivity.

Crafting: A deep crafting system with hundreds of recipes—each carrying its own risks and consequences. Crafting ties into the thermal and atmospheric systems, creating a dynamic web of dependencies. For example, a simple Meade beer uses yeast, water, and sugar; substitutions may replace ingredients, and temperature affects fermentation outcomes. CO2 released by processes rises with temperature, connecting crafting to life support and ecology. There are fringe paths to fuel production, social entertainment, or even improvised pubs that boost morale.

Research: Stay competitive by advancing technology. Conduct experiments in onboard labs, on planetary surfaces, and aboard expeditions with research vessels. The best tech pairings depend on your strategy and play style, influencing what resources you exploit and how you outmaneuver rivals.

Crew and Population: People have their own minds and must be guided to fit mission needs. You can assign roles, but you cannot control personal preferences or beliefs. Malnutrition or mistreatment can spark mutiny, so leadership and care are as crucial as engineering.

Closed Loops: Strive for fully closed systems. Water is scarce to replenish, and plants require fertilizer. Rethink venting waste and ensure resource recycling, or your entire ecosystem can unravel.

Build intelligently, explore boldly, and navigate the delicate balance of life, heat, and power as you push the Tidal Expanse toward a new era among the stars.