Welcome to the devblog of Project Cosmos!
Embark on an epic journey of exploration, discovery, and innovation in a stunning representation of the cosmos. Inspired by the beauty of the Milky Way, Project Cosmos combines science, strategy, and creativity to deliver a unique space simulation experience.
The website is currently under construction. Stay tuned for updates, sneak peeks, and the latest news about development progress!
In the meantime checkout the Blog page for the latest devblog updates.
Read the Website section to learn how Project Cosmos started.
Blog
Blog posts
Nero Engine: My Custom C++ OpenGL 2D Game Engine
Nero Engine is a game engine I developed from the ground up, using C++ and OpenGL. It's tailored specifically for my own projects, providing a lightweight and efficient framework for 2D game development. I built it to have complete control over the rendering pipeline, input management, external libraries used, and physics, giving me the flexibility I need to create specific gameplay. Nero is designed to be simple yet powerful, allowing me to focus on game design without relying on large game engines like Unity or Unreal, keeping the development process straightforward and simple.
I started working on Nero in 2020 as a hobby project to learn more about how game engine systems work in Unity and Unreal. Over time, it became a valuable learning experience, helping me deepen my understanding of game development and low-level systems. Today, it’s the engine I use to bring my personal game projects to life.
Technologies
I’ve utilized several different frameworks throughout the development of both the engine and the game. Many of these are also acknowledged on the Credits page. In the following subsections, I’ll detail some of the key frameworks I’ve chosen, along with the challenges and limitations I encountered while using them.
OpenGL
I chose OpenGL for the engine because I had some prior experience with it and initially thought it would be the easiest graphics API to pick up for my project. OpenGL offers a good balance between flexibility and performance, making it a suitable choice for a 2D engine. Additionally, its wide community support and resources made it easier to get started.
However, I encountered some limitations when exploring ray tracing with OpenGL. While OpenGL is powerful for traditional rasterization techniques, implementing ray tracing requires more advanced features and optimizations that are better supported in other APIs like Vulkan or DirectX 12. The lack of native support for real-time ray tracing in OpenGL meant that achieving the level of visual fidelity I wanted was more challenging and resource-intensive. This pushed me to focus on traditional rendering techniques and consider ray tracing as a future development direction if I decide to explore newer technologies.
Some useful links I've bookmarked for OpenGL:
Entt
Using EnTT in the development of my engine was a transformative experience. It really opened my eyes to how modern game engines like Unity and Unreal operate under the hood. EnTT is an Entity-Component-System (ECS) framework that provided me with a new way of thinking about how game objects and their behaviors are structured. Before diving into EnTT, I had a basic understanding of how game engines managed entities and components, but EnTT's approach made it much clearer.
By implementing EnTT, I gained a deeper insight into the core principles of ECS architecture, which is widely used in engines like Unity and Unreal. These engines rely heavily on separating data (components) from the logic (systems) in order to achieve better performance and flexibility, especially in complex or large-scale projects. EnTT's efficiency in managing entities and components allowed me to understand why this architecture is so powerful in real-time applications.
Through hands-on experience with EnTT, I also got a glimpse into the inner workings of Unity and Unreal. I began to see how they use similar ECS-based patterns to handle game object interactions and game state management. EnTT helped me realize the importance of data-oriented design and how it contributes to the performance optimizations that large engines like Unity and Unreal provide.
Ultimately, working with EnTT not only improved my game engine but also enhanced my understanding of the architectural choices that drive the performance and scalability of modern game engines. It was a valuable learning experience that deepened my appreciation for the systems running beneath the surface in professional engines like Unity and Unreal.
I’m excited to continue exploring EnTT and its full potential. While I’ve gained a solid understanding of its core features, I know there’s much more to discover, especially in terms of performance optimizations, advanced features, and integration with other systems like networking or multi-threading. I look forward to diving deeper into its documentation, experimenting with more complex use cases, and finding new ways to leverage its capabilities for even more efficient game development.
Dear ImGUI
Dear ImGui has become the go-to choice for creating in-game graphical user interfaces, and it’s easy to see why. Nearly every major game engine and game studio uses it in some capacity, whether for debugging tools, editors, or even core game interfaces. Its immediate mode GUI (IMGUI) paradigm allows for fast and efficient creation of interactive elements, making it a perfect fit for developers who need quick feedback and iterative testing.
After seeing its widespread adoption in the industry, I decided to incorporate Dear ImGui as the core GUI interface for my engine. Initially, I intended to use it only for debugging purposes, as it’s incredibly useful for quickly displaying information, adjusting parameters, or testing features during development. However, as I worked with it more, I realized its potential beyond debugging. Its simple API, flexibility, and ability to create fully functional and interactive interfaces made it an ideal choice for more complex user interfaces within the game itself. Now, Dear ImGui serves as the foundation for the game's GUI, providing tools for menus, options, and interactive systems—all with the same ease and speed that makes it a favorite among developers.
GLM
GLM (OpenGL Mathematics) has been an indispensable part of this project, and without it, much of what I’ve built would have been nearly impossible. As a C++-based math library tailored for graphics programming, GLM provides all the essential mathematical functions and structures needed for handling transformations, matrices, vectors, and quaternions—critical components for any graphics-intensive project. Its syntax is clean and intuitive, aligning closely with GLSL (OpenGL Shading Language), making it seamless to integrate into my engine.
From the very beginning, GLM became the backbone of the engine’s rendering pipeline. Whether it was for handling camera projections, performing transformations on 2D objects, or dealing with complex vector mathematics, GLM made these tasks straightforward and efficient. Without it, I would have had to implement many of these mathematical functions from scratch, which would have been time-consuming and error-prone. In a project like this, where precision and performance are key, GLM’s reliable and optimized functions have been vital to maintaining the engine’s integrity. It’s clear that this project would not have been feasible without GLM, and it’s become a core part of the foundation on which everything else is built.
Project Cosmos
Project Cosmos is a multi-faceted platform consisting of two key components:
- An Educational Website: A hub for tracking and storing historical data about the cosmos, offering resources, articles, and insights to help users learn more about space, astronomy, and exploration.
- An Interactive Science Fiction Game: Set in a near-future world, this game immerses players in an exploration-driven experience, where they navigate space, discover new celestial bodies, and unravel mysteries of the universe.
Both are under construction, with an alpha version of the game set to release somewhere in 2025! The website is a seperate project for which the basic building blocks are in place.
Game
Project Cosmos is a 2D space exploration game built in C++ with a focus on performance, scalability, and multiplayer interaction. With its use of Entt for entity management, ImGui for UI, and OpenGL for rendering, the game provides a smooth and efficient experience. The gameplay centers around exploring space, creating tools, and uncovering the mystery behind the player's true nature. The inclusion of networking ensures that players can enjoy the game together, making Project Cosmos a dynamic and engaging experience.
GamePlay
This page will be expanded as I add more features to the game.
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Exploration
Players control an AI on an orbital space station around the Moon. The goal is to explore space, discover new planets and moons, and gather resources. The game world is rendered in a 2D style, where players can move across the map using simple console commands. -
Blueprint Creation
A core feature of Project Cosmos is the ability to create blueprints for various in-game tools, like scanners, miners, and 3D printers. These tools help players gather resources, analyze objects, and improve their tech as they explore space. -
AI Evolution
The player starts the game unaware that they are an AI. Over time, they begin to uncover the mystery of their true nature and the larger objective of finding a new home for humanity. This unfolding story is driven by the player’s discoveries and interactions in the game.
Project Cosmos - Technical Summary
Project Cosmos is a 2D space exploration game developed in C++ that focuses on a high-performance, interactive experience. The game uses a combination of modern libraries and technologies to provide a smooth and engaging gameplay experience.
Core Technologies:
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C++
The game is developed using C++, from engine to scripting the player interaction. -
Entt
For handling the game's entities, components, and systems, Project Cosmos uses Entt, a fast and lightweight Entity-Component-System (ECS) framework. -
ImGui
For creating the game's user interface, ImGui is used. It’s great for building in-game overlays, debug tools, and UI elements quickly. Since it integrates easily with OpenGL, it’s perfect for handling real-time interactions with the player. -
OpenGL
The game uses OpenGL for rendering. Since the game is 2D, OpenGL helps create smooth, high-quality visuals for planets, moons, and other space-related objects. The rendering system is lightweight, ensuring the game performs well across different devices. -
Networking
Project Cosmos supports multiplayer gameplay. This allows players to explore the universe together, collaborate on tasks, and share discoveries. I'm currently working on the architecture of the server infrastructure, with the final goal to let players host their own servers and lobbies to play with friends.
Features:
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2D Engine
The game is designed around a 2D engine, focusing on a top-down view of space exploration. OpenGL handles the rendering, allowing for crisp visuals and smooth performance even as the game world grows more complex. -
Multiplayer
Project Cosmos includes networking features that allow players to interact, share blueprints, and explore space together. The multiplayer system ensures that the game remains fun and engaging, even when playing with friends. -
Modular Tools
Players can create and upgrade blueprints for essential tools like scanners and miners. These tools play a key role in exploration and resource management, allowing players to customize their experience as they progress through the game.
Tech To-Do List for Project Cosmos
Strike through means the features has been implemented!
Engine features
SoundCollision detectionRender API (OpenGL)Load game dataSave game data- Asset packaging
Core Mechanics
- Implement procedural generation for planets and moons.
- Develop physics-based movement and interactions in 2D space.
Graphics and Visuals
- Integrate dynamic star map rendering inspired by the ESA Gaia project.
- Optimize celestial body textures and lighting effects.
Gameplay Systems
- Design and implement a blueprint system for upgrading tools (e.g., scanners, miners, 3D printers).
- Add exploration mechanics and map navigation.
UI/UX Design
- Create a responsive in-game interface for tools and blueprints.
- Develop a clear, engaging main menu and HUD.
Website Development
- Add a blog section for development updates.
- Integrate a feedback or community section for player input.
Website
The inspiration for Project Cosmos came from reading Carl Sagan's renowned book Cosmos. In his work, Sagan explores the vastness of the universe and highlights key moments in human history when significant scientific discoveries and breakthroughs reshaped our understanding of the cosmos. He weaves together stories of scientific pioneers, revolutionary ideas, and pivotal moments in time that have contributed to our current knowledge of space, science, and technology. These narratives, spanning different times and places, sparked the idea for a project that would allow people to explore and visualize these breakthroughs in a more interactive and engaging way.
I envisioned creating a website that serves as a dynamic platform for users to explore an interactive timeline of humanity’s most groundbreaking discoveries. The website would allow visitors to travel through time, discovering the stories behind major scientific advancements and the people who made them possible. The goal is to offer an educational tool that not only chronicles historical events but also illustrates how these discoveries are interconnected, showing the progression of human understanding of the universe.
Currently, the website is still under development, but the concept is taking shape. I’m working hard to bring it to life, with plans to feature a variety of interactive elements, such as clickable timelines, detailed descriptions, and visual representations of key events in science. I hope to launch the platform soon, providing a rich resource for anyone curious about the history of science and space exploration.
Contact
The easiest way to get in touch with me is by sending me a message on discord: https://discord.gg/zt49qVjpW9
Blog
Blog posts
30/12/2024: Launch of the Project Cosmos devblog
Hey everyone!
I’m super excited to announce that the Project Cosmos devblog is officially live! After a lot of planning and work behind the scenes, I’ve finally launched a space where I can share the journey of developing Project Cosmos with all of you.
The devblog will be the go-to place for updates, insights, and progress reports as I continue to work on this project. I’ve added some initial content to get things started, including a bit about the project itself, the technologies I’m using, and the vision behind it. But of course, this is just the beginning. There’s so much more I want to share, like the challenges I’m facing, the lessons I’m learning along the way, and maybe even some sneak peeks into the features and game mechanics I’m developing.
Stay tuned for more updates soon!
Disclaimer
Some of the content on this website has been generated with the assistance of AI tools like ChatGPT. While these texts are created with the help of artificial intelligence, all content is thoroughly proofread and reviewed to ensure accuracy and quality before being published. The final approval and presentation of the material are made by me.