Powder Game: 2 Open Source Clones Compared
The Powder Toy is a native, cross-platform (Windows/Linux/macOS/Android) falling-sand sandbox with a Lua API for building and sharing custom elements and plugins, plus an online account system for saving and browsing other players' creations. Sandspiel instead runs entirely in the browser via Rust compiled to WebAssembly and WebGL, needs no install or account, and centers on sharing and forking simple creations rather than a scripted modding API.
Comparison table
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Windows, Linux, OSX, Android
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- Android
Project health
- Development status
- Active
- Last updated
- 6d ago
- Stars
- 5,314
- Contributors
- 134
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Engine
- SDL2
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- NoOriginal assets not required; game includes various building materials, liquids, gases, and electronic components.
- Modding support
- YesSupports Lua API for creating plugins and automating work; custom elements can be created and shared.
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Web
- Play in browser
- YesPlay in Browser
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Active
- Last updated
- 5d ago
- Stars
- 3,168
- Contributors
- 13
- License
- MIT
- Engine
- —
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- NoStandalone falling sand cellular automata game with no dependency on original assets.
- Modding support
- —
| Title | The Powder Toy | sandspiel |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Playable | Playable |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux, OSX, Android | Web |
| Play in browser | No | YesPlay in Browser |
| Mobile | Android | No |
| Project health | ||
| Development status | Active | Active |
| Last updated | 6d ago | 5d ago |
| Stars | 5,314 | 3,168 |
| Contributors | 134 | 13 |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Engine | SDL2 | — |
| Compatibility | ||
| Requires original assets | NoOriginal assets not required; game includes various building materials, liquids, gases, and electronic components. | NoStandalone falling sand cellular automata game with no dependency on original assets. |
| Modding support | YesSupports Lua API for creating plugins and automating work; custom elements can be created and shared. | — |
| Preview | | |
Frequently asked questions
Are the Powder Game clones on this page open source?
Yes — every clone catalogued here is an open-source project. Availability, license, and development-status details for each one are listed in the comparison table above.
What license do these Powder Game clones use?
The Powder Toy (GPL-3.0); sandspiel (MIT).
Do I need to own the original Powder Game to play these clones?
The Powder Toy and sandspiel run standalone, no original files needed.
Can I play any of these Powder Game clones directly in a browser?
Yes — sandspiel has a browser-playable build linked in the comparison table above, no install required.
Which Powder Game clone is the most actively maintained?
The Powder Toy and sandspiel are currently under active development, based on recent commit activity. See the "Development status" row above for every clone's current status.
See the full write-up for each clone, or go back to Powder Game.