Space Engine : An Exploration of Space

[Fargo]

I know that I'm definitely not the only one that absolutely loves space but I managed to stumble across this game called 'Space Engine'. It's more of a simulation than a game. Now its only in version .97 currently but there's still a lot of exploration on this, and it's a free game. If you're too lazy to read the capabilities scroll down to the video showing what it can do.


"Capabilities​

• All types of celestial objects are represented: galaxies, nebulae, stars and star clusters, planets and moons, comets and asteroids.
• Known celestial objects are represented using data from the catalogs: galaxies (NGC/IC), stars (HIPPARCOS), star clusters, nebulae, planets (our Solar system data and known extrasolar planets).
• Uncharted regions of space feature procedurally generated objects: galaxies, stars, star clusters, nebulae and planetary systems.
• The observer is free to move around the universe. Transition between any celestial body and any scale occurs seamlessly.
• The observer can move around in space using the WASD keys, like in First Person Shooters. Movement with inertia is made possible in Spacecraft mode or Aircraft mode.
• "Select and fly" autopilot: just click on any object with the mouse and hit the 'G' key to automatically go directly to the object.
• Automatic binding of the observer to the moving object and automatic selection of optimum flight speed.
• Search for celestial objects by name. Search for stars in certain radius. Scalable map of the Universe and a planetary system browser. Saving locations and autopilot's journal.
• Built-in Wiki system with descriptions of many known objects and ability to extend by user. Possibility of renaming and describing of any object, including procedural ones.
• The orbital motion of planets and stars is calculated in real time, with the ability to accelerate, decelerate, or reverse the flow of time.
• Showing of orbital paths of celestial objects, their rotation and motion vectors, labels and markers, celestial grid, current selection pointer and user velocity vector.
• Volumetric 3D models of galaxies and nebulae with interstellar dust clouds.
• 3D landscapes of planets and stars: for many solar system bodies actual data from space probes is used, for uncharted and procedural planets the surface is generated procedurally on the GPU.
• The exact model of the Earth's atmosphere (code by Eric Bruneton), adapted for the other planets.
• Lighting effects: lens flares, solar eclipses, shadows of planetary rings. Celestial objects cast light and shadows onto each other.
• Controllable space ships (alpha).
• Localization of many languages with the ability to add new ones.
• Ability to import users addons: models, catalogs, textures."

I also know that there are much better versions of a space game that are going to be coming out, but most of those have high system requirements. This on the other hand, has low system requirements.

Space Engine Site

I want to know what you think about this simulation and other space games/simulators that are coming out.​