I just stumbled (not with the website) on Space Engine. Uh… wow.
I have one simple question: Can this in any way be used with Unity? I would love to have this run the generation of space and handle it all in Unity to code gameplay elements into it.
My gut tells me it’s a solid no, but I’d love to be surprised.
Not really, it is its own thing. However, is pretty cool for generating planets, it lets you export the textures and such. Should note though, it does take a decent machine to run it at a good speed. It’s win only, and my thinkpad really dragged trying to use it. Though the last time I used it was over a year ago. It is pretty fun to play with. 
Wow, that looks great! I hope they get VR support!
I guess this is on-topic but is there anything similar for Unity? I’ve seen several planet generators but something that generates a full galaxy or universe and at good quality?
I’ve been thinking of a VR game where the player can just play for like half an hour a day, but the game is always on and the ship keeps flying through space while the player is at work and stuff and maybe they get notifications on there phone of what’s going on. I want to hack something together just for fun but a galaxy simulation is massive (But something I think lots of people would buy) Especially things like origin shifting and allowing for flexibility and deterministic generation.
Well, it can be done if someone throws enough money at it.
But that is the problem If loads of people throw a little bit of money it could be done as well.
That actually makes me think, imagine using Kickstarter or a Kickstarter like platform for game assets. Like someone put up that theý’d make a universe generator if they got $100,000 and people could back for $100 to get a copy.
Never said it is supposed to be one person.
This is not a very good model.
This kind of thing is an experimental tech… so when you’re ABSOLUTELY sure you can make it work, then you already have a working prototype and don’t need the money, but when you don’t have the prototype, you can’t absolutely be sure that you can get it done. So launching a kickstarter would be a big gamble, which will backfire if you fail.
This kind of thing tech can happen if someone is willing to pay salary, instead of fixed cost for a deliverable.
I think that’s a great idea actually. I think $100 is a bit steep but even R&D needs funding. And if the finish product was released for say less than $50, but people could back with any dollar amount… People deserve to be paid for their work. Mmmm… Could be good.