Dave Mosher, I’m pointing my finger at you for this late night effort! Usually I stay up late to write articles, but for the last 30 minutes I’ve been playing this game after Dave sent a message on Twitter saying he had been playing a “simple” and “addictive” star formation game. No kidding! I shouldn’t have even clicked the link. But like a caffeine-infused moth to a super-shiny flame, off I went for some simple star-creation fun.
It looks like the Star Formation game is part of Discover Magazine’s featured article about the mysteries of star birth (it’s a great read, check it out). The game is simple, yet captivating (despite a few minor bugs). You play the role of supernova progenitor, dropping some massive star fury on an unsuspecting nebulous cloud of hydrogen. According to the game developers, the situation is physically accurate, it is just up to you to create the perfect conditions for stars to form in the dense cloud. It would appear the lectures I attended on star formation paid off, as I speak I’m on top of the leaderboard with a whopping 21122 points (see the screengrab above, I saved it posterity, I doubt I’ll be at #1 for much longer).
I’m all for games with an educational element, and I can’t think of a better way to spend an evening (well, I can, but if you’re stuck in the office, this is a great alternative to work). I’m off to create some more stars, check out Discover so you can do the same (just you try to knock me from the #1 slot!).
astroengine.com 
This game is like drugs for astrophysicists! It gives you an all time high and is very addictive. 🙂
It needs a way to adjust contrast. It’s very hard to make out the cloud.
Ian you should record a game and show us how it’s done. 🙂
I have played this game three times. I have worked my way tp to a pathetic 1258 points. I cannot even conceive of a way to make the astronomical number point the leaders are making. Perhaps, I should read up on the subject.
I'm so love this blog, already bookmarked it! Thanks.
I'm so love this blog, already bookmarked it! Thanks.
I love to play the Star Formation game. It's very interesting.
hey, thanks for this short review. Looks like an interesting game to try.
hey, thanks for this short review. Looks like an interesting game to try.
Very addictive, bookmarked ! Try this game 🙂
This casual game?
I’m so
love this blog, already bookmarked it! Thanks.