The World Turtle carries entire civilizations on its back through outer space, and the gentle Meeps are the only ones on a quest to save it. Cooperation, rather than conquest will save the day, so prepare to harvest, build, research, and explore the void in this wholesome turtleback builder.
All Reviews:
Mostly Positive (31) - 70% of the 31 user reviews for this game are positive.
Release Date:
May 1, 2023
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Early Access Game

Get instant access and start playing; get involved with this game as it develops.

Note: This Early Access game is not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more

What the developers have to say:

Why Early Access?

“I am aware of the risks and other factors at play around Early Access releases. I truly hope the product I've been able to offer up to now clearly conveys my passion for, and commitment to, making this game work and work properly.

I've had a wonderful time developing World Turtles during the last three and a half years to its current state. For two years this was a nerdy hobby, but as support and interest grew, I decided this dream had enough potential and enjoyment to warrant living off of savings for a year to see if this game, well, could fly. A chance like this does not come around every day.

I'm all in on this dream, but there are some parts of it I cannot realize alone. For example, the various building models definitely could do with a lot more variety, flair and attention to really give the Meeps and the Realms their own identity. Due to financial and artistic limitations, I have also opted for a functional but visually minimalistic UI style. I could do a lot more with monetary support in support of artistic support!

A huge part of the core functionality has now been designed and implemented, which will speed up the addition of more buildings, task types, mechanics, decisions, and the UI to pull it all together. But I do need enough people to take the journey with me.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“About 12-18 months, but it really all depends on interest and community involvement. Personally, I'd love to make this game truly epic.

Some of the elements I have planned are:
  • Populating more of the existing game systems and mechanics, especially the interaction of the Turtle and the Meeps with Space. A part of this lies in the already kicked-off Space Resources that are obtained through various interactions with Space.
  • Adding a Culture / Art mechanic similar to the current Research mechanic, where different building types can contribute to industry-specific progress.
  • Expanding the random map generator and map builder to include more variety and randomness that actually change the way a map plays out.
  • Expanding into higher tier buildings, moving into the services industry rather than raw resource gathering.
  • Adding more focused challenges with a variety of clearly defined goals. Also, mini-challenges with certain risks and rewards will liven up normal free-play games.
  • Eventually, making a map editor with ever-increasing functionality available to players. I already use a crude editor for development.
  • Possibly adding a Campaign - this requires game mechanics, systems and behind the scenes data structures to be largely settled.
  • I would love to eventually add some multiplayer / Co-op functionality so players could interact with each other's worlds, but that's a while away...

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“The core mechanics of resource gathering, climate, experience, upgrades, research and leisure, health and children, interacting with the terrain and AI realms, and the different characteristics of space are now in place. The stage is set for more fully populating the existing systems and expanding into grander ideas and mechanics for making the catapult feeding and steering mechanic, interaction with space, as well as the larger-scale interaction and cooperation with the AI realms more impactful.

I'd love to embark on this journey with Meeps as excited about the possibilities as I am!”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“Although some game mechanics and systems are not fully developed, significant parts of the legwork required to realize these systems and mechanics have been completed. Many of these have gone through a few iterations over the development cycle already.

I've always tried to work on:
  • Adding something new
  • Expanding something existing
  • Polishing something off

I have spent a lot of time trying to ensure that, while there are clearly still various aspects in various stages of development, the game is not riddled with mundane, low-level bugs or game-breakers, since having a proper, playable, enjoyable game at all times is important to me. I hope the long-term availability and frequent updates of the demo attest to that.

While not all parameters (cost of buildings, speed of execution, transition times, etc.) are set in stone yet, they have been properly parameterized, so that tweaks, balancing and even significant changes can be quite easily applied.

For more details on what is included, please see the "About This Game" section.

The only aspect that has not yet been touched on is heading off of the Turtle into space (although helicopters are already in play). The Turtle can already be fed using a huge catapult (with the help of the AI!), Buildings and Annexes can be constructed and upgraded, tasks can be prioritized and directed, the (variable) research trees function properly (although they will be expanded upon), tutorials and challenges are complete for the state of the game, and you can save and load games (including an autosave). Interaction with the AI is still limited, but they already join your Realm, help construct the Catapult and a first draft for Trading is in place. For more detail on what is planned next for each game mechanic, consider the Road Map included in the Title Menu.”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“The price will be raised gradually as, and only if, decent amounts of new content and features are added (for example, the full game arc, a map editor, a campaign, etc).”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“I already have some community involvement from my YouTube channel, Subreddit and Discord server. It would bring me great joy to grow these homes dedicated to World Turtles, where a group of enthusiastic real world Meeps can come together, discuss the game, approaches, strategies, improvements, further developments and possibilities.

Be a part of the journey - it would mean the world to me!”
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About This Game





The Turtle beckons! You have been selected by a tribe of peace-loving Meeps to save the life of their World Turtle, a giant space reptile carrying the entire world as they know it on its back. Establish a new way for Meeps to survive and create a sustainable society... All the while feeding the great World Turtle to ensure that it doesn't perish along its endless way.

Cooperation, not conquest, will be necessary for success when the Turtle wanders into the more treacherous stretches of space or - perhaps - meets others of its kind…





World Turtles is a wholesome colony builder with the primary goal of sustainability. The Meeps are eager to work, enthusiastic like no other, and unfortunately, exceptionally disorganized without leadership.

That's where you come in. Build up the Meepvilization from a small village in one corner of the turtleback to a sprawling colony that has mastered the challenges of living on the literal back of a spacefaring reptile.

You'll have to explore across the turtleback, unite the Meep tribes, and research new forms of economic sustainability. No two playthroughs will be the same thanks to procedural generation of the turtle and the universe it flies through. But once the turtleback knows world peace and the hungry, hungry turtle is safe… it's time to launch the Meeps Space Program!





Once full and healthy, the World Turtle can take the Meeps’ world wherever they want. But while space is full of opportunity, there is also danger! Sectors can impact life on the turtleback - alter the climate, water levels, or unleash (un)natural catastrophes. Prepare the Meeps adequately and help them survive the journey of a lifetime.





World Turtles is a labor of love by a solo developer from South Africa who has always wanted to create for others. The concept of World Turtles deserves to be developed further, together with an enthusiastic community. Join the Early Access, hop onto the back, and take part in this curious intergalactic tale!

System Requirements

Windows
macOS
SteamOS + Linux
    Minimum:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 10 64-bit
    • Processor: Intel Core i5 or equivalent
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 550 or ATI™ Radeon™ HD 6XXX or higher
    • DirectX: Version 11
    • Storage: 4 GB available space
    • Sound Card: Stereo
    • Additional Notes: Minimum requirements may change during development.
    Recommended:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 10 64-bit
    • Processor: Intel Core i7 or equivalent
    • Memory: 12 GB RAM
    • Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 770 or AMD® R9 280
    • DirectX: Version 11
    • Storage: 4 GB available space
    • Sound Card: Surround Sound
    • Additional Notes: Recommended requirements may change during development.
    Minimum:
    • OS: Sierra 10.12+
    • Processor: x64 architecture with SSE2
    • Memory: 2 GB RAM
    • Graphics: Metal capable Intel and AMD GPUs
    • Storage: 2 GB available space
    • Sound Card: Stereo
    • Additional Notes: Minimum requirements may change during development.
    Recommended:
    • OS: Sierra 10.12+
    • Processor: x64 architecture with SSE2
    • Memory: 4 GB RAM
    • Graphics: Metal capable Intel and AMD GPUs
    • Storage: 3 GB available space
    • Sound Card: Surround Sound
    • Additional Notes: Recommended requirements may change during development.
    Minimum:
    • OS: 64bit Linux
    • Processor: Dual-Core 2.4 GHz
    • Memory: 2 GB RAM
    • Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 550 or ATI™ Radeon™ HD 6XXX or higher
    • Storage: 2 GB available space
    • Sound Card: Stereo
    • Additional Notes: Minimum requirements may change during development.
    Recommended:
    • OS: 64bit Linux
    • Processor: Dual-Core 2.4 GHz
    • Memory: 4 GB RAM
    • Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 770 or AMD® R9 280
    • Storage: 3 GB available space
    • Sound Card: Surround Sound
    • Additional Notes: Recommended requirements may change during development.

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