This version of the game is quite old and I have a new version coming soon!

Shifting Sands is a 4X game where you manage a single city sprawling across the sands of a desert that changes shape when you don't keep your eyes (or city) on it. It's mostly a prototype to test this mechanic at this time, so there's no goal yet, and very few repercussions for a failing economy.

Alt-F4 to quit; No in-game quit button implemented yet.

The game can be played with only the mouse, and most of the controls are described in-game. Actions consist primarily of left-clicking on units, buildings, buttons and right-clicking to order units to move or placing buildings. Instructions are given at the top and can be toggled on and off.

Information not described well in-game: 

  • Stone, Wood, and Tech resources do not stockpile and are automatically spent each turn. Tech is unused at this time.
  • Stone and Wood are both used to construct buildings by assigning them to buildings under construction. Use the "Assign Wood/Stone" buttons in the bottom right, when they're not assigned they'll automatically be assigned to a newly placed building.
  • Most buildings require both Stone and Wood to be built, but Wood can be used instead of Stone, whereas Stone cannot be used instead of Wood.
  • The Water icon with an outline are considered water sources, and water sources cause water to be harvested on adjacent tiles (equal to the water source minus one).
  • Units cannot move onto mountains or water tiles, although buildings can be placed on these tiles, including roads.

Please feel free to leave any feedback, but any feedback regarding the exploration being reset is most sought after.

StatusPrototype
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, HTML5
Rating
Rated 2.8 out of 5 stars
(4 total ratings)
AuthorRamperkash
GenreStrategy
Made withUnity
Tags4X, Singleplayer, Unity

Download

Download
ShiftingSands-Windows.zip 12 MB
Download
ShiftingSands-Linux.zip 15 MB
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ShiftingSands-Mac.zip 16 MB

Comments

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Hey just wanted to say I spent a few hours play this, and once I got the hang of it, it was a blast.

Awesome, that's great to hear! I'm currently working on a new version of it, and I'll upload that as soon as it's in a playable state. I've unfortunately changed quite a bit of it, but the core should still be the same, and the rest should be better (I hope).

I'm not sure if there's a way to follow the game to see when I do update it, but if not, it might be possible to see that by following my account. That is, if you are keen to see the new version.

Either way, I'm glad you enjoyed it, and thanks a lot for taking the time to comment, it makes my day!

I hate to be 'that guy', but any updates on this? Was playing again out of boredom xD

Being 'that guy' is actually awesome to me at the moment, because it lets me know that there's someone keen for the game. I actually really appreciate it!

The new version I'm working on is probably a month or two from when I can upload it here. I'm working on adding a PvE element so that the game is slightly more guided.

Cool! Just add otters :3

Hello, I have found this game again after long time and I enjoyed it very much! Unfortunately I have some downsides listed below. Anyway, congratulations to have such a great idea of the game! I like those new mechanics introduced here.

First, you can have resources below 0. That is making no challenge.

Second, to find out how to start is quite challenging (if you want not to drop below zero).

Also tech points are not used anywhere. I would suggest to use them in a late-game, for example to force some bonuses to the land in the next sandstorm.

Unfortunately there is no challenge in defending yourself. No need to build towers and barracks (except few border cases). No animals, nor other types of enemies there.

And the last thing is save/load + restart/regenerate map. That would make the game more useful. :)

(+1)

Hi there, thanks for taking the time to comment. :)

I 100% agree with you on the issues you listed; as the game is at the moment there are quite a few things that were left out in one way or another. I have to think about what the repercussions are for going to zero resources without making the player lose outright. I'll also try and make the game start off in a way that would sort out the basics so that getting off the ground isn't as challenging.

As for tech points, defending yourself and the other suggestions, I just never got to implementing those, and I definitely have some plans for that.

I haven't worked on Shifting Sands for quite a while since I uploaded the version you played, but I am reworking the game at the moment and will try and upload a new version as soon as it's ready. I'm not sure if there's a way to follow a game to see when it's updated, but if not, it should be possible to follow my account if you're interested.

Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed the game despite the clear issues that you outlined, and once again, I really appreciate your comment, thanks again!