Atoms and Time

About this game

Star in your own paleontology documentary!

Atoms and Time is an evolution survival game with a strong scientific focus, powered by new technological advances in ecosystem simulation. Unlike other evolution simulators, Atoms and Time inserts you right into this world, filled with other species that adapt just as fast as you can. The story of your organism's survival is told in a simplified format inspired by games like Oregon Trail, skipping the wilderness-wandering and throwing you right into the highlights of your creature's life.

Advanced Evolution Prediction

Playing through one organism's lifetime is fast, but the road of evolution is a long and complex one. Atoms and Time does not ask the player to wait around for an interesting mutation to randomly appear in your simulation, or provide the player unrealistic creative tools for character creation. Instead, the algorithm of "auto-evo" calculates the selection pressures that affect your species, given the current environment and known laws of biology. As the player, you get to choose one of a few scientifically plausible pathways to pursue. After that, it's up to you to survive with the tools given to you by nature.

Alternatively, you can play Atoms and Time as a simulator, producing in seconds what other evolution simulators might take hours to accomplish. In addition, auto-evo allows the simulation to understand HOW a species is surviving, and why certain mutations were selected, providing a new window into the story of your simulated life.

Latest news

• Patch Notes·24 Jul 2024Official

  Spring 2024 Roundup Patch

  I'm going to be honest, I don't know all the things that are in this build, because it took a long time to make of low level coding. Most of this is going to be minor quality of life improvements and bug fixes based on people playing the game. It is also now possible for plants to evolve longer or shorter stems, to allow a little more diversity in fauna.
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• Announcements·2 Mar 2024Official

  Graphics Overhaul

  {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44655831/4d7038a32de777734bb11747d68dc1e2bc333edb.png This update is all about making use of Matvii's excellent new 3D skills by redoing almost every part, along with the menus and backgrounds. There's still more art I have yet to implement, but I wanted to get this out sooner rather than later; I really think it makes the game feel more lifelike. Note that, because the new models change where some parts attach, this change is considered save-breaking. There is now a beta branch for before the graphics change for anyone who wants to return to an old world.
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• Patch Notes·14 Feb 2024Official

  First Update: Start New Games from Auto-Evo!

  More details in video form: https://youtu.be/dtfvg5LqS_I This update is a roundup of things I've been working on since launch, but I think the biggest feature by far is what it says in the title. Simulating a world and see some interesting critter? Start a new game as that species, no questions asked. In the middle of a game and want to see what the rest of your world looks like? Save the game and open it in auto-evo. This update also adds difficulty options, which will make the game a little less "nature dark souls" for those of us who don't want that. Also some quality of life changes, and a few bugfixes, but if you see a bug don't hesitate to let me know!
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• Patch Notes·20 Dec 2023Official

  A note on gamepad compatability

  Late in development I've been experimenting with making Atoms and Time work with gamepad controls, and while you can get through normal gameplay (not the auto-evo simulator), the controls are still a little wonky, so I didn't want to hit the "compatible with controller" button just yet. That said, if you want to give your clicking finger a break, give it a try! Left joystick up/down to go through menus A (on xbox controller) to select a button Left joystick right/left to select a creature in the environment bumper buttons to move to new locations or target different creatures B (on xbox controller) does other stuff occasionally...
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