Simulations & Games

Interactive tools that teach Kardashev-scale thinking through play. Static explainers don't convey exponential growth—games do.

FEATURED

brachisto-probe: Dyson Sphere Constructor

by Andrew Cote • Fusion Engineer

Incremental game where you manage autonomous probes to build a Dyson sphere. Models orbital mechanics, exponential research progression, and resource management across 11 solar system zones. Experience Type II civilization building through gameplay.

Three.js + Flask•Open Source•View on GitHub →

K-Value Calculator

Adjust energy mix and see how it affects humanity's path to Type I.

Current K-Value
0.730
2023 baseline
Projected 2050
0.864
435.1 TW
Type I Year
2065
41 years

Adjust Energy Mix

Solar5%
Wind7%
Nuclear10%
Hydro15%
Fossil63%

K-Value Trajectory

Based on historical growth rates: Solar 25%/yr, Wind 12%/yr, Nuclear 2%/yr

Global Energy Flow

How humanity's 180,000 TWh of primary energy flows from source to use—and where we lose it.

Primary Energy
180k TWh
Useful Energy
85k TWh
Losses
95k TWh
Efficiency
47%
Fossil Fuels
Nuclear
Hydro
Solar
Wind/Biomass
Useful Energy
Losses

Data: IEA World Energy Outlook 2024, BP Statistical Review. Values in TWh (approximate).

Scenario Simulator

Compare paths to Type I: How do solar acceleration, nuclear renaissance, and fusion timelines stack up?

Compare Scenarios

Business as Usual
2073
49 years
Solar Acceleration
2058
34 years
Fusion 2035
2068
44 years

K-Value Trajectory Comparison

Business as Usual
Current trends continue unchanged
Solar Acceleration
Aggressive solar deployment (30%/yr growth)
Fusion 2035
Commercial fusion by 2035, rapid deployment

Community Tools

Best-in-class visualizations and games from the K-scale community.

Orbital Compute Simulator

Astrocompute
Compute

Model the economics of space-based AI infrastructure vs ground deployment through 2050. See how thermal, power, and bandwidth constraints affect civilization-scale compute.

K-relevance: Shows how escaping Earth's constraints enables exponential compute growth

Dyson Sphere Constructor

Andrew Cote
Energy

Incremental game where you manage autonomous probes to build a Dyson sphere. Models orbital mechanics, exponential research, and resource management across 11 solar system zones.

K-relevance: Experience Type II civilization building through gameplay

Live Grid Carbon Intensity

Electricity Maps
Energy

Real-time visualization of global electricity carbon intensity, updated every 5 minutes. See energy flows between countries and regions.

K-relevance: Watch humanity's energy system in real-time

Climate Policy Simulator

Climate Interactive
Coordination

Adjust policy levers and see how energy, land use, and economic choices affect global temperature. The gold standard for "what-if" policy simulation.

K-relevance: Model how decisions affect our trajectory

Solar System Explorer

NASA JPL
Energy

3D visualization of the solar system with real NASA mission data. Explore from 1950 to 2050, follow spacecraft, and understand the scale of our neighborhood.

K-relevance: Understand the arena for Type II+ expansion

Games That Teach Scale

Commercial games that build intuition for exponential growth and systems thinking.

Dyson Sphere Program

Steam

Build a Dyson sphere across multiple star systems. Type II energy harvesting.

Universal Paperclips

Web

Start with a paperclip factory, end with grey goo. Exponential growth intuition.

Factorio

Steam

Automate everything. Systems optimization at industrial scale.