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Universe SandboxNewsNext-Generation Graphics Coming Soon
Community

Next-Generation Graphics Coming Soon

Universe Sandbox · published 27 Jun 2024, 17:54 UTC

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Prepare to immerse yourself in a universe more awe-inspiring and realistic than ever before with our next-generation Universe Sandbox graphics update. Over the past year and a half, we've been replacing our decade-old graphics technology with a state-of-the-art system that sets the stage for future enhancements.

While there's still more to be done before it's ready for release, we're excited to give you a sneak peek at our progress.

Stay tuned to our Steam Forum and Discord server where we’ll be announcing a preview version you can try before it’s released to everyone. In the meantime, you can check out our 2024 Roadmap to learn more about what we have planned.

The color of hot objects is more accurately based on their temperatures.


Current



Work in Progress

Spacecraft and other human-scale objects will interact with light more realistically.


Current



Work in Progress

Gas clouds no longer create sharp intersections when passing over planets.


Current



Work in Progress

Objects will only glow in areas where they’re hot instead of the entire object glowing based on average temperature.


Current



Work in Progress


Current



Work in Progress

Hot objects will emit light based on their temperature.


Current



Work in Progress

More accurate lighting at a distance for more realistic and cinematic views.


Current



Work in Progress

Explore the beauty of the universe more awesomely than ever.


Current



Work in Progress

We fixed that annoying issue where stars look like they’re being eclipsed when seen from the surface of a planet.


Current



Work in Progress

Stars appear brighter, realistically obscuring surface detail.


Current



Work in Progress

Our new graphics renderer is still a work in progress, and final appearances may look different. We can’t wait to share space in a new light with you.

Join our community discussions on our Steam Forum and our official Discord community.

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Community20 Aug 202611-Year Steam Launch AnniversaryThe 11th anniversary of Universe Sandbox’s Early Access launch on Steam is Monday, August 24, 2026! To celebrate this milestone, Universe Sandbox is on sale now through August 31. This year, we’ve already released the first part of our multi-year physics architecture overhaul , and added winds sweeping gases across planet atmospheres, atmospheric drag to simulate meteors, a simulation of the Ar…In-game event19 Aug 2026Crashing Craters | Update 36.3Collision craters form and combine together more realistically. You can also duplicate objects, watch black holes evaporate, and explore a simulation of a newly discovered exosatellite. Creating Craters Craters from collisions with moons and small rock fragments alike are more realistic, blending naturally and better respecting an object’s elevation range and topography. Larger impacts now leav…In-game event25 Jun 2026Winds of Change | Update 36.2Watch winds spread gases across planetary atmospheres, see the unique shape of any selected object with new stylized outlines, and adjust object compositions by percentage. We’ve also focused on eliminating issues with over 50 fixes and improvements. Atmospheric Winds Gases now sweep across planetary atmospheres by the newly simulated geostrophic wind . Check it out and customize the wind speed…