After sleeping for 3 hours after working all last night, I have decided to postpone the launch of the Explore the Universe 2175 DEMO for a few days.
The demo for Explore the Universe 2175 won’t be launching tonight as originally planned. The new target is New Year’s Eve (possibly a few days earlier if everything aligns).
I know delays are frustrating – trust me, I’m more frustrated than anyone. But after a year of solo development building a giant system for this game with space RTS with adaptive AI and real-time orbital physics, there are certain aspects of the game that need to exist for the player experience.
What’s Taking So Long?
Building a game where multiple complex systems work together in real-time is challenging. Explore the Universe 2175 isn’t just another space game – it features:
- MEGABOT adaptive AI that learns from player tactics mid-game
- Real Newtonian physics governing every object in space
- Emergent AI factions (Crystals, Mycelari, Wild, MEGABOT’s evil robots) all operating simultaneously
- Procedural galaxy generation with persistent state across systems
- Entity Component System (ECS) architecture built in Rust for performance
Getting the world objects, AI entities, and player ship to cooperate seamlessly in real-time is the difference between a tech demo and an immersive experience.
Why Polish Matters
I could release what I have now – the core systems work. But there are certain baseline expectations for any game demo:
Stable performance across different hardware
Clear UI/UX that doesn’t require a PhD to understand
Smooth onboarding so players can jump in and feel the physics immediately
Representative of the final vision – I want your first impression to be accurate
Rushing this demo would undermine a year of work. I’d rather delay by 5 days than launch something that doesn’t represent what Explore the Universe 2175 is capable of.
What You’ll Get in the New Year’s Demo
When the demo launches (New Year’s Eve or earlier), you’ll experience:
- Tutorial mission introducing orbital mechanics and combat basics
- First MEGABOT encounter showcasing the adaptive AI system
- Open exploration of a procedurally generated star system
- Faction AI in action – watch Crystals and Mycelari compete for resources
- Physics-based combat with gravity assists, delta-v management, and realistic trajectories
This isn’t a slice – it’s a genuine vertical slice of the full Early Access experience (launching February 2, 2025).
The Immersion Factor
I genuinely believe Explore the Universe 2175 is one of the most immersive space games ever created. Not because of graphics or scale (though both are solid), but because:
- The physics feels real – every movement has weight and consequence. Combat is insane.
- The AI feels alive – MEGABOT isn’t following a script, it’s adapting to YOU
- The universe feels inhabited – factions expand, conflict, and evolve whether you’re watching or not
That immersion requires polish. It requires systems working in perfect harmony. It requires the last 10% to actually be finished.
Thank You for Your Patience
If you’ve been following development on elliottelford.com or signed up for updates, thank you. Your enthusiasm keeps me going during the brutal final stretch.
Want to stay updated?
- Wishlist on Steam (you’ll get notified the moment the demo drops)
- Follow @elliottelford on Twitter/X
- Join the discussion on r/exploretheuniverse2175
The wait will be worth it. I promise.
— Elliot
P.S. – If you’re curious about the technical challenges of building adaptive AI or implementing real orbital mechanics in a game engine, I’ll be posting a deep-dive thread this week. Follow for updates.