Hacking in space

For me, programming has always been an adventure, a way to explore ideas, systems, and new ways of thinking. And right now, my latest obsession is building a 3D space server for a 4X game.

This isn’t just any project; it’s a real labor of love. It’s one of those endeavors where I find myself just hacking away, thinking about how all the pieces fit together, and iterating on the mechanics of space movement, exploration, and simulation. I’ve been fascinated by space games for a long time—especially those that model and simulate 3D space in meaningful ways. There’s a certain beauty in translating real-world physics and strategy into code, creating a universe that feels alive with possibility.

My love for coding and game development started with text-based multiplayer games. Back in the day, I spent countless hours on PennMUSH servers, fascinated by the intricate worlds that could be created with text alone. These games were more than just entertainment—they were interactive systems that rewarded creativity, strategic thinking, and collaborative storytelling. Playing these games shaped the way I approach programming. They taught me to think about data structures, world-building, and the fine balance between rules and player agency.

Now, with my 4X space server, I get to apply those lessons in a whole new dimension—literally. Designing movement in a true 3D space, handling scale, managing player interactions, and ensuring the world remains dynamic and engaging are all challenges I relish. I love the deep systems thinking that comes with game development: balancing resource management, tactical combat, and exploration while keeping everything efficient and scalable.

But more than anything, this project is about learning. I’ve always believed that game programming is one of the best ways to grow as a developer. It forces you to think across multiple domains—physics, AI, databases, networking, UI design—and integrate them into a cohesive whole. Every time I work on this project, I discover something new, whether it’s a better way to handle spatial indexing or a clever trick for optimizing server-side calculations.

For me, coding has never just been about solving problems; it’s about creating worlds. And this 3D space server is one of my most exciting worlds yet. Whether or not this project ever sees the light of day beyond my own development machine, it’s an experience I cherish. Because at the end of the day, I’m here for the journey—the hacking, the problem-solving, and the sheer joy of making something that feels like magic.