bioshader alpha
Bioshader
Step into a living sandbox where thousands of tiny digital creatures called novas roam, eat, and multiply in their own little world.
Each nova has a lightweight brain powered by a neural network. They respond to what they see, how much energy they have, how long they have been alive, and their orientation. Surprising patterns and behaviors emerge as novas move, search for food, and create offspring with their own unique traits.
Build Your World
At the start, you decide the rules:
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Number of terrain blocks, plants, and novas
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World size
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How much energy novas spend to move
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Plant growth rate
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Nova mutation rate
And more...
Every change creates a new balance of survival, challenge, and discovery.
Powered by Your GPU
Bioshader runs almost entirely on your graphics card. The stronger your GPU, the more novas you can unleash.
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Tested on Windows PCs with Nvidia RTX/GTX
Tested on Ubuntu Linux with Nvidia GTX
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Runs on Apple Silicon (Tested on m1 macbook) and older MacBooks with Radeon GPUs
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With smaller worlds, it can run almost anywhere
For an idea of performance, every setup tested so far can run over 10,000 Novas. The RTX 4070 can run 100,000+ easily. I'd love to hear what setup you have and how big of a world you can run.
Web Version
The web version embedded on itch.io uses the exact same simulation code as the Windows, Linux, and macOS downloads.
Because Bioshader relies heavily on WebGPU, you'll need a modern browser for the best experience.
The web version has been tested on:
- Chrome and Safari
- Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android
Support for Edge, Firefox, and Opera is currently unverified.
Differences from the Downloadable Version
- World saving and loading are not currently available in the web version
- Default starting populations are lower to improve compatibility
- Simulations pause when the browser tab is in the background
Early Access Alpha
This is an early alpha release, things are still rough around the edges. Some features may break, and save files from one version might not work in the next. If you create a world you love, back up the executable with your save just in case.
The Road Ahead
Here’s what’s coming next:
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Faster performance and optimization
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A cleaner, more intuitive UI
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Deeper life mechanics (different nova sizes, reproduction options, gradual plant consumption, and more)
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Tools for terrain editing, drawing, and importing/exporting novas
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Visual upgrades: textures, improved sprites, and added beauty
👉 Bioshader is a digital playground of discovery. Whether you’re here to experiment, watch, or just let thousands of tiny novas fill your screen, every world you create is yours. Made with Bevy
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