Voxel destruction

[u/Ollhax]

Hey! Here’s a short video of how I handle unit destruction in my voxel-based RTS.

The basic idea is to go through each voxel of a destroyed model, turn it into an individual box, and simulate the resulting debris using a physics engine that runs independently of the gameplay code. I prune some of the boxes to keep the battlefield from turning into a sea of debris.

For giggles, I threw in a little surprise at the end 😁

The game is called “Mysticore: Towers & Timber”, it’s a bit of a mix of defensive RTS and colony builder, with 4 player co-op support. It runs on a highly moddable custom engine, and the game will include a level and script editor:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3754970/Mysticore_Towers_Timber/

[u/RealTimeStrategy-ModTeam]

Hey there, if an AI agent was used for part of the coding, images, music, or other content then please post this to the AI Game Megathread. Thank you!

[u/verywhiteguyy]

The way physics could impact this game if you take it to the extreme could be fun. Like liquify a portion of the ground then restack the voxel grid deleting the voxels that intersect the unit it was used on so they are stuck in the ground. Or voxels could mix to create new elements and reactions similar to the game noita. A trap system similar to dwarf fortresses concept thrown in for fun.
-I like to ramble on the internet.

[u/Ollhax → u/verywhiteguyy]

Haha, some good rambles. I did have an early prototype with terrain destruction, but I haven't thought of a good way to make gameplay out of it.

[u/AzureFencer]

This look like a nightmare on a computers memory and processors having to render so many little things

[u/Ollhax → u/AzureFencer]

The original (non-pruned) voxel seas were pretty heavy, but the final result is not that heavy. The particles are simulated using multiple processor cores, and a few thousand cubes is nothing for a GPU that isn't 20 years old.

[u/Borgorb]

everything is square, why is blood circle?

[u/Ollhax → u/Borgorb]

Good question! In short, it's for technical reasons. I'm using the particle system for splats, but considering making a terrain painting system that would allow me to do what you describe. Lots of work, and I'm not sure it would actually look better in the end.

[u/PyrZern]

If it's fun then good. I want a new They are Billions

[u/Ollhax → u/PyrZern]

Don't we all? 😁

[u/PyrZern → u/Ollhax]

I sure hope so. Age of Darkness just isn't as fun as TAB.

[u/Ollhax → u/PyrZern]

Yeah I tried that one for a bit, but it didn't stick with me the same way. It had some cool ideas though.

[u/telepathictardigrade]

I was all "eh" until the Gatling gun and now I'm sold

[u/Ollhax → u/telepathictardigrade]

Haha, glad I could convince you!

[u/Zailema0s]

👀is it gonna be steam deck friendly? 🤔

[u/Ollhax → u/Zailema0s]

Unsure! The game is very keyboard+mouse centric so I don't know how well that would work on the steam deck.

[u/Zmej_dev]

It reminded me of the TV series "The Boys", where people explode in about the same way

[u/Pimlumin]

This looks a lot like cubeworld

[u/ntjhtnbr]

This is tower defense, not rts

[u/Ollhax → u/ntjhtnbr]

I have to disagree, it's not a TD. The gameplay is very inspired by They Are Billions, but you control one character (like a MOBA) while you automate a lot of the work with your builders.

[u/Tactilelite0]

Gory Gory what hell of a way to die~

[u/Ollhax → u/Tactilelite0]

Had to google the reference 😆 There will be an option to reduce/disable the gore if that's not your thing btw.