The Powder Toy
The Powder Toy is a falling-sand game originally created by Stanislaw K. Skowronek(Skylark). It is now developed and maintained by jacob1, and various contributors to the project on GitHub. It is a free and open-source software licensed under the GNU General Public License version 3.0.[3]
Some user made content from The Powder Toy, being interacted with by the user. | |
Original author(s) | Stanislaw K. Skowronek (retired) |
---|---|
Developer(s) | jacob1 and various GitHub contributors[1] |
Stable release | 95.0
/ 27 February 2020[2] |
Repository | |
Platform | Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android |
Type | Single Player Falling-sand game |
License | GPLv3 |
Website | powdertoy |
It has a total of 185 different in-game materials (without mods) that have varying functions.[4]
Gameplay
The Powder Toy, like most falling sand games, is a sandbox video game that allows users to create things in-game to share with others. It is also possible to create new content for the game by using Lua to create new elements, tools, and content.[1]
A public server for sharing in-game creations is provided as part of the game itself, allowing users to share anything that abides by the rules. Examples of player shared creations include functioning circulatory systems, and computers.[4] Content is rated using upvotes and downvotes, and can be reported to the moderators if it breaks the on-site rules or plagiarizes other works.
Reception and impact
The game has been noted by publications as a valuable tool for teachers and their students, receiving praises such as being called a "great science game" for its potential use as a learning aid because of its accurate portrayal of physics, chemical reactions and more.[5]
References
- "ThePowderToy: Readme". GitHub. Archived from the original on 2018-03-29. Retrieved 2018-03-28.
- "Releases". Github. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- "ThePowderToy: License". GitHub. Archived from the original on 2018-03-29. Retrieved 2018-03-28.
- Cox, Matt (2019-10-10). "From falling sand to Falling Everything: the simulation games that inspired Noita". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
- Explosive fun for students with THE POWDER TOY a great science game on edgalaxy.com (2010-09-03)