BioForge

DEMO LINK BELOW :)

EDUCATION EVOLUTION & SPACE

Inspiration

I didn’t want to build just another Mars survival game. I wanted to build a system one that reacts to you, pushes back, evolves, and uses real world space data to challenge the way players think about leadership under pressure. BioForge started as a survival sim. It turned into a living, breathing space environment with real NASA APIs, simulated human evolution, dynamic lawmaking, and a colonist feedback system that doesn’t hold back.

What it does

BioForge Simulator is a fully reactive solo-built space survival game where you: -Manage oxygen, food, water, energy, and morale across a growing space colony -Write and enforce your own laws with built-in systems that analyze their consequences -Get real-time colonist feedback via a dynamic email engine that escalates if ignored -Use a custom Python evolution engine to generate colonists with traits like efficiency, resilience, and stress tolerance -Unlock new planets (like Europa and Titan) with unique atmospheres and biome modifiers -Triggers real-time space disasters using live NASA APIs -Steal resources from other players through raids when your own systems fail -Access a full in-game guide and About page that explains both gameplay and tech systems

The result is a gameplay loop that combines data-driven survival, real consequences, and enough unexpected chaos to make every playthrough feel personal.

How I built it

-Frontend: React 18 + Next.js 14 (App Router) -Backend: Python evolution engine (simulate.py, evolution_engine.py) -Database: PostgreSQL for colony states, user profiles, laws, and logs -AI Logic: OpenAI-powered law generation + impact prediction -Public APIs Integrated: -NASA Mars Weather API → real Martian atmospheric data -ISS Live Feed → impacts radiation and energy usage -Solar Flare + Asteroid Feeds → trigger randomized global disasters -NASA APOD → boosts morale because your colonists love watching cosmic events!

Other Systems: -FriendsSystem.js for raids and multiplayer logic -EmailSystem.js for condition-based colonist messaging (checks every 2 seconds) -Dynamic law enforcement logic and reaction scoring -Planet unlocks tied to colony progression and trait thresholds

Every system interacts. Colonist stress affects performance. Raids impact morale. Evolution determines survival on alien moons. Nothing is isolated

Challenges I ran into

-Building and balancing everything solo under a time constraint -Creating gameplay that’s both stat-driven and human-feeling -Connecting five live APIs without breaking the core loop -Designing an evolution system that’s both scientifically grounded and fun to use -Making sure every law and every event had real, visible consequences -Writing enough in-game feedback to make the world feel alive

Accomplishments that I am proud of

-Designed, developed, and shipped a complete space survival sim solo -Built a game where every system connects and reacts dynamically -Integrated multiple APIs into the actual gameplay, not just visuals -Created a working simulation of social pressure, space survival, and leadership breakdown

What I learned

-Deep integration of real-time APIs into active game logic -Custom AI tooling + OpenAI workflows for gameplay consequences -State management for high-stress, time-sensitive UI -Balancing game loops across progression, evolution, and pressure -How to ship a solo project

What's next for BioForge

-Expand evolution to include genetic memory, mutation trees, and long-term trait inheritance -Real-time PvP raids, diplomacy, and sabotage systems -Custom planetary weather engines (per moon) -Leaderboard-driven space races for optimal survival builds -A public browser launch where anyone can colonize, evolve… and betray