Simulation and persistent time

A full-fidelity simulation of an Earth-sized planet is impossible. Ishtaria spends detail only where it is observed.

Levels of detail

Level	Where	What is simulated
L0 – active	around players	individual animals and plants, rigid-body physics, 20–60 Hz
L1 – near	surroundings	individual entities, simplified behaviour, no physics
L2 – aggregate	everywhere else	per-cell populations (predator–prey, vegetation growth), weather, seasons; steps of minutes to hours

Catch-up

When a player enters an L2 cell, the server materialises concrete individuals from the aggregate state and a deterministic seed. To an observer the result is indistinguishable from continuous simulation, at a fraction of the cost.

Offline players

Time runs while players are away.

• The avatar stays in the world, asleep, and keeps its needs (hunger, warmth).

• Shelters protect sleeping avatars; designing them well is essential, otherwise logging out becomes punishing.

• Property – fields, animals, workshops – continues at L2 fidelity.

Todo

Decide penalties and protections for avatars sleeping outdoors.