Ecosystem

Ecosystem is a game about life. At its heart are evolving virtual lifeforms, who grow from synthetic DNA and live in a physically-simulated ocean. This DNA encodes everything about a creature: their skeletal structure, their mental processors and even their combat prowess.

Simulation

The nervous system of a virtual lifeform is a pipeline computer where, every moment, data from sense organs passes through a network of neurons and finally contracts a muscle in a specific body part. Creatures swim just like real sea-life, applying torque at their joints to push against the water in a way coordinated to propel themselves forward.

Evolution

To create life, you need only release a batch of these lifeforms into the water with random brains and bodies. Most will flail around aimlessly, but those that manage to move even slightly will get to have more offspring than the others. Ten generations later, their descendants will be talented swimmers.

It’s really satisfying to see the creatures evolve in a real sense, guided by your hand in the simulated fluid of your own world.

Combat

Whether it’s using electrical attacks to stun enemies or developing poisonous spikes to evade the jaws of predators, Ecosystem’s simulation features an in-depth combat layer.

Each creature has a range of combat statistics that will determine their role in the food chain. As a species evolves and gains a foothold, it will need to adapt to survive attacks from predators or face extinction.

Playing God

If you want to take a more hands-on approach in your creatures’ evolution, a suite of tools are provided, unlocked as you progress through the game, to force certain traits in your species. From high level settings such as requiring a species to have tentacles, be a certain size, or have a set amount of body parts, to minute details such as determining the amount of drag or torque a creature may face when swimming, the simulation is yours to control.