Info about Virtual Circuit Board: Official game description: **Virtual Circuit Board**, or **VCB**, is a sandbox-only drawing-based logic simulator featuring an assembler and a powerful simulation engine. All of it designed to give you the freedom to build and experiment with logic circuits to your heart’s content. **Set your own goals** ---------------------- In **VCB** you will set _your own goals_ of what and how you want to build, it **does not** come with tutorials, levels, or challenges, and it **will not teach you** digital logic or assembly. **VCB**'s development philosophy is aimed toward delivering a fresh sandbox experience for players who _already have some basic knowledge_ about logic gates and circuits. **Powerful Simulation** ----------------------- High-performance tick-based simulation, where signals propagate between components one tick at a time. Simulate with a frequency of up to **millions of updates** per second. **Assembly** ------------ Assembly editor in which you can define **your own instructions**, allowing you to create a program that will be assembled into a **Virtual Memory** accessible by your circuits. **Editing and Simulating** -------------------------- Working in **VCB** is separated in two modes, while **editing** you can use the drawing tools to modify your circuit and the assembly editor to write programs, and during **simulation** you can see your circuit running, interact with it, and watch the assembly instructions being executed. **Drawing-based Interface** --------------------------- Build circuits by drawing **color-coded entities** like logic gates and traces, and use the specialized tools such as the **Array** to optimize your workflow by drawing multiple traces simultaneously. Both the electronic components and the traces support multiple input and output connections. **Decoration** -------------- Customize the appearance of circuits by drawing in the **decoration layers** that override the component's default colors. This allows you to create things such as buttons and labels that change appearance depending on the component's state. Release date: Oct 6, 2023 Categories: Logic-based character placement puzzles, Sandbox Creation, Assembly Simulation, Circuit Design, Programming Logic, Simulation, Educational Game, Experimental Gameplay - Hardware Profile: No data Feature extractions: - Community Price: No data - Playtime Metrics: No data - Time-to-fun: No data - Player Archetypes: No data Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category. Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews. What players like: - Deep creative circuit design (weight 0.97): Players highlight the game's open-ended environment for designing complex digital circuits, praising its flexibility and creative potential. The pixel-based approach and lack of sub-circuits allow for full visibility and innovation in circuit building. - Intuitive and user-friendly UI (weight 0.58): The interface is clean, color-coded, and packed with hotkeys, making it accessible for beginners while remaining powerful for advanced users. Players appreciate its simplicity and effectiveness. - Excellent learning resource (weight 0.44): The game is an effective tool for learning digital logic, computer architecture, and circuit design. It includes a helpful manual, well-designed examples, and is beginner-friendly while covering advanced topics. - Visually appealing pixel art (weight 0.32): The pixel-based design is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, allowing for customizable components and a unique visual style that players enjoy. - Built-in assembly and memory tools (weight 0.25): The game includes a well-designed internal assembler and supports custom instruction sets, enabling players to create assembly language from scratch and run code against components. This adds depth for advanced users. - Developer engagement and roadmap (weight 0.22): The developer is praised for being open to suggestions, actively improving the game, and having a clear roadmap for future features. This fosters a strong community and trust in the product. - Great value for price (weight 0.18): Players feel the game offers a high-quality experience that justifies its cost, providing a robust and engaging sandbox for both hobbyists and experienced users. - VLSI design made accessible (weight 0.15): The game simplifies the complexities of real-life VLSI design, removing tedious aspects like manual gate-building while retaining the core creative and technical challenges. Common complaints: - Lack of beginner tutorials (weight 0.57): Multiple clusters highlight the absence of guided tutorials or onboarding for new players, making the game overwhelming and unsuitable for beginners. This includes missing step-by-step instructions and examples. - No structured gameplay or goals (weight 0.5): The game lacks predefined goals, challenges, or narratives, making it feel more like a sandbox tool than a game. Players seeking entertainment or progression may find it unsatisfying. - Redstone and circuit limitations (weight 0.38): Redstone mechanics are frustrating due to static placement, signal delays, and the need for repeaters. Logic gates also suffer from tick-based delays, causing synchronization issues. - Limited modularity and IC support (weight 0.33): Players criticize the lack of integrated circuits (ICs), custom subcircuits, and modularization, which restricts the complexity and scalability of builds. Pre-compiled ICs are also missing. - Small and restrictive canvas (weight 0.29): The limited canvas size (2048 pixels) and board restrictions hinder creativity and large-scale projects. Players also request a larger or customizable workspace. - Cumbersome interface and wiring (weight 0.25): The interface is difficult to navigate for large projects, and manual wiring is tedious, especially for complex circuits. Players also note a steep learning curve for the UI. - Unintuitive advanced features (weight 0.17): Features like VMem (Virtual Memory) and assembly formatting are poorly explained or clunky, making them difficult for players to understand or use effectively. - Flickering and realism issues (weight 0.16): Unavoidable flickering and unrealistic behavior (e.g., flip-flop oscillations) detract from the simulation's accuracy and visual appeal. - No real-time editing during simulation (weight 0.11): Players cannot edit circuits while simulating, which disrupts workflow. The simulator also suffers from lag, further reducing usability. - Lack of audio and output options (weight 0.11): Output devices are limited to LEDs, with no support for audio, keyboard input, or other interactive outputs, reducing immersion and functionality. - No Mac support (weight 0.1): The game lacks official support for macOS, limiting its accessibility to a significant portion of potential users. - Not a 1:1 electrical engineering tool (weight 0.09): The game does not accurately replicate real-world electrical engineering, making it less engaging for professionals and confusing for learners. Gameplay feedback: - CPU and processor design capabilities (weight 0.5): The game enables users to design custom CPUs, processors, and integrated circuits (ICs), including memory units and assembly code support. This is highlighted as a key feature for learning computer architecture. - Educational focus on logic and circuitry (weight 0.5): The game serves as a learning tool for Boolean logic, binary systems, and computer architecture, with tutorials, documentation, and example projects (e.g., half adders, 4-bit ALUs). It is compared to educational games like Turing Complete. - Pixel-based circuit design interface (weight 0.35): The game features a pixel-based UI for designing circuits, resembling a paint program. Users appreciate the ability to customize logic gates and components, though some desire improvements like multi-layer circuits and customizable board sizes. - Comparison to redstone and other games (weight 0.31): Users frequently compare the game to Minecraft's redstone mechanics, Factorio's logistics, and other circuit-building games like Turing Complete or Logic World, noting its educational and sandbox strengths. - Manual wiring and assembly integration (weight 0.26): The game requires manual wiring for circuits, with support for assembly language editing and memory units. This appeals to users interested in low-level programming and hardware design. - Desired UI/UX improvements (weight 0.23): Users request improvements like hotkeys, tooltips, and better trace spacing to enhance usability. Some also desire multi-layer circuit support and customizable board sizes for larger projects. - Tick-based simulation with real-time feedback (weight 0.19): Circuits are simulated in a tick-based system, providing real-time feedback on logic gate propagation and CPU cycles. This allows users to observe and debug their designs dynamically. - Advanced circuit components and displays (weight 0.18): The game includes advanced components like D flip-flops, JK flip-flops, and 7-segment displays, enabling users to build complex systems such as binary adders and LED screens. Performance notes: - Exceptional simulation performance (weight 0.46): The game delivers lightning-fast simulation speeds, handling millions of ticks per second and complex circuits without lag. Players highlight its stability even with thousands of components, making it stand out in performance. - Optimized for large-scale designs (weight 0.23): The game is well-optimized, running smoothly for complex schemes and large circuits. Players note its efficiency compared to other games, with minimal performance limitations. - GPU computing integration (weight 0.11): The game leverages GPU computing for improved performance, though some players report high GPU usage even when not simulating. This may impact system resources for certain setups. - Linux compatibility issues (weight 0.1): The Ink Switch menu does not work under Linux, though the game otherwise runs flawlessly on the platform. This may affect usability for Linux users. - Minor UI quirks (weight 0.09): Players report minor issues with copy/paste and undo/redo functions, which can disrupt workflow. These quirks are noted as part of the Early Access polish. - Fast load times (weight 0.07): Players report rapid load times, often under 3 seconds, contributing to a seamless experience. This enhances accessibility and reduces downtime during gameplay. Recommendations: - Ideal for logic circuit enthusiasts (weight 0.67): The game is highly recommended for players who enjoy redstone mechanics, digital logic gates, and assembling computers from logic circuits. It appeals to those with experience in electronics, hardware engineering, or programming. - Educational value for digital design (weight 0.5): The game is recommended for modern digital systems design classes and as a digital circuit simulator. It is praised for its potential in teaching digital logic and computer architecture. - Appeals to problem-solvers and tinkerers (weight 0.25): The game is recommended for those who enjoy solving problems, tinkering with technology, and building circuits from scratch. It encourages creativity and hands-on learning. - Improved debugging and simulation tools (weight 0.18): Players suggest adding better debugging tools, an accurate mode with no randomness, and a professional mode closer to real-world circuit behavior. These would enhance realism and usability. - Desire for modular and expansive features (weight 0.17): Feedback includes requests for modularization, modular sub-circuits, an infinite board, and workshop support. These features would improve flexibility and creativity in circuit design. - Need for structured learning tools (weight 0.15): Players suggest adding levels for gradual learning, puzzles to utilize components, and a companion guide for designing computers from first principles. These features would enhance the learning curve. - Enhanced UI and navigation (weight 0.14): Feedback includes requests for more prominent navigation instructions, a 2D option for clarity, and a close-proximity pixel grid for easier replication of circuits. - Potential for future improvements (weight 0.1): Players express optimism about future features and suggest additions like achievements for accomplishing goals. These could enhance engagement and replayability. - Best purchased on sale (weight 0.05): Some players recommend buying the game on sale for those interested in hardware or digital logic, indicating its value may be more recognized at a lower price point. Other player notes: - Retro computing references (weight 0.1): Mentions of the 8080 manual and comparisons to redstone (from Minecraft) indicate the game's appeal to enthusiasts of retro computing and logic-based systems. - Mod support in development (weight 0.07): Players note that the game is nearing the end of its development cycle, with mod support currently being implemented. This suggests ongoing community engagement and potential for extended replayability. - Community-driven hardware projects (weight 0.06): The game inspires creative community projects, such as running a 3D Doom-like game on a RISC-V CPU design. This highlights its appeal to technically inclined players and its potential for educational use. - Educational integration suggested (weight 0.06): Players suggest implementing projects from nand2tetris, a well-known computer science educational tool, to enhance the game's learning value. This reflects demand for deeper educational features. - Space-efficient DIY computing (weight 0.06): The game is praised for being useful for those interested in building computers from scratch but lacking physical space. This underscores its accessibility and practical applications for learning. - Godot engine appreciation (weight 0.06): The use of the Godot game engine is highlighted positively, suggesting that its open-source nature and flexibility resonate with the player base. - Early Access availability (weight 0.06): The game is mentioned as being in Early Access, indicating ongoing development and potential for future updates based on player feedback. Emotions: - Frustration (weight 0.21): Players experience frustration due to the game's steep learning curve, poor on-boarding, and lack of tutorials or detailed guides. Technical issues like bugs, inconsistent mechanics, platform-specific problems (e.g., Linux/Mac support), and missing features (e.g., custom components, multi-file support) further exacerbate the difficulty in designing and debugging circuits. - Satisfaction (weight 0.13): Players feel satisfied when they successfully build complex circuits, experience fast and optimized performance, and enjoy the clarity and convenience of the tool. The sense of accomplishment from mastering logic systems, combined with the game's intuitive interface and polish, contributes to a positive and rewarding experience. - Appreciation (weight 0.1): Players appreciate the game's educational value, unique design, and visual appeal, which make it a powerful learning tool for electronics and logic. The developer's responsiveness, polished UI, and additional features like blueprint functionality are also praised for enhancing the overall experience. - Disappointment (weight 0.09): Players feel disappointed due to the game's lack of guidance for beginners, unmet expectations of it being a structured game, and missing features like IC support or audio output. Performance issues, such as GPU problems and flickering, along with the realization that it is more of a simulation tool than a game, also contribute to this emotion. - Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Players enjoy the game's logic simulation capabilities, the creative freedom of designing circuits, and the fun, painter-like method of drawing circuits. The sandbox environment and the ability to learn while experimenting with personal circuit ideas add to the enjoyment. - Excitement (weight 0.04): Players feel excitement from the dopamine rush of creating complex circuits and the potential of the simulator's capabilities, such as virtual devices and OS control. The game's unique niche as a logic simulator and the freedom it offers for experimentation also generate enthusiasm. - Hope (weight 0.04): Players express hope for future improvements, such as better assembly features, additional tools (e.g., keyboard input, sound output), and advancements that could make the game one of the best logic simulators. The potential for updates and new features fuels this optimism. - Enthusiasm (weight 0.04): Players show enthusiasm for the game's potential in designing custom computers and prototyping. The appealing interface and the ability to draw and program circuits make the experience engaging and inspiring for creativity. - Admiration (weight 0.03): Players admire the developer's work and the software's depth, creativity, and educational value. The game's unique pixel-based circuit design and its ability to showcase computer science as an art form contribute to this admiration. - Gratitude (weight 0.01): Players feel gratitude for the game's value as a learning tool and the features it provides, which make it an effective and enjoyable resource for understanding logic and electronics. - Pride (weight 0.01): Players experience pride from learning through trial and error and achieving academic success, such as earning a high grade, with the help of the game's educational tools. - Awe (weight 0.01): Players feel awe at the game's visuals, performance (e.g., millions of updates per second), and the sheer power of the simulator as a tool for designing complex circuits. - Engagement (weight 0.01): Players become deeply engaged in the game, losing track of time while creating puzzles or circuits, and often find themselves immersed in the experience to the point of forgetting daily tasks. - Relief (weight 0.01): Players feel relief when they find a free, fun, and effective tool for learning logic gates without the pressure of grading or high stakes, making the learning process more enjoyable. - Confusion (weight 0.01): Players experience confusion due to the misalignment between their expectations of a game and the actual product, which feels more like a simulation tool. Uncertainty about whether issues are bugs or user errors also contributes to this emotion. - Accomplishment (weight 0.01): Players feel a sense of accomplishment when they successfully create complex designs, such as a pixel art logo, or learn through solving problems and debugging circuits.}