Ant Keeping Simulator

To quote my reason to request refunds "The worst camera controls I have ever seen." WASD...WS zoom, AD pan left and right. Do you want to move forward slightly? Turn the camera sideways (right click and drag) and use AD to pan, then turn back the other way. Want to fix the angle? Good bloody luck! I could barely get the camera to get on the ants, but from what I could see the Queen's animations (especially her legs) were off and she and the workers clipped through the walls nearly constantly. The "battles" are also rather pointless in my view. Just give a proper "income" or just put in a sandbox mode!

Ant game ❌ Gambling game ✔️

has potential but.... the fights are kinda pointless. wacky animations that dont really show which ant is victor. also the humidifier doesnt work ant niether does the remove tool for removing buildings. if you make an actually playable version i will change my review but until then bad review for unfinished concept and broken controls

cool game, i actually want to get into ant keeping as a hobby, and although this game doesn't have everything you need to worry about its a good place to start, also if you just want to do sandbox stuff. Theres just not much else to the game unfortunately.

I like what the dev did with this simulation game. Even though it seems the subject matter might not be a passion for them, they definitely did a bit of research into the subject matter. Make no mistake that Ant Keeping Simulator is a low budget simulation/game from a single indie developer. There is a lack of intuitiveness with the UI and it takes some getting used to. I did have to do a bit of trial and error before I became comfortable with it. There are also clipping issues with moving ants geometry. Don't expect graphical mastery in this one. I will, however, do my best to tell you why I give it a thumbs up and give you a preview of what it's about... There are many ant sub-species to choose from. Each have their own size, environmental priorities, tastes and evolutionary growth. For example, some sub-species have majors (larger ants that are essentially tanks in combat). You start with the smallest ant species, but can earn access to more with $Bug Bucks. $Bug Bucks ( I will refer to the currency as $ from here) is the currency used to purchase needs for your ant colonies. They need food, water and more as they grow. I will note that the choices are a bit limited when it comes to expanding their formicarium (environment & home), but the base requirement elements are there. You will gain $ in very small portions as your colony grows. Do note that your $ wallet is a global wallet across all of your saves and not specific to one save, so be very careful when GAMBLING! The game portion (GAMBLING) is combat which takes place outside of the simulation, but is based on the colony that you are currently playing. It occurs in random intervals and is a way to increase $ exponetially and is always a GAMBLE. Though there is a lot of RND involved, it really helps to know the matchup as best as you can. Know your species VS enemy species. The quantity of ants on each side is never the defining factor in a fight, and can be misleading. Know the size of each species and which species has majors or extra abilities such as sting or formic acid defense (shown as green clouds). BTW, formic acid defense IS true to nature, just not as visible as this game shows. For example, if both you and the enemy have 50 ants, but your opponent is a species with Majors and your does not, you should expect to lose. You do go in blind, not knowing what you are facing beyond the knowledge of each species. The pace of the simulation is up to you. You can literally play it as real time (a snails pace that you just run in the background for weeks and weeks on end while you watch paint dry) or you can adjust the passing of time exponentially when you start a new save. It is my understanding that as long as you don't select "real time growth" when starting a new save, you get the time slider. The time slider allows you to speed up time up to 1000X. This WILL be handy ;). There is obviously a bit more to this simulation and many more details, but this is a review and not a guide, lol (I've gone on long enough). I will say that I do appreciate what they have done and for even attempting it. It is a bit of a niche type of subject and I appreciate the research and execution of that research that went into this. Even though the dev has moved onto their next project, they are still responsive in the steam forums. I always appreciate that type of dedication. For the small price, it is worth it IMO. I continue to play.

Ant Keeping Simulator, developed and published by Kunstaat, offers a refreshing and immersive experience that delves into the fascinating world of ant colonies with impressive realism and detail. Unlike many simulation games that focus on grand-scale management or fantastical elements, this title narrows its scope to a very specific and scientifically grounded hobby: the care and growth of an ant colony. Players begin with a single queen housed in a test tube and gradually build a thriving ant community by carefully managing resources, environmental conditions, and the needs of the colony. The game succeeds in striking a balance between accessibility for newcomers and depth for enthusiasts who appreciate the intricacies of ant behavior and colony management. At the heart of Ant Keeping Simulator is its remarkable simulation of ant life. The developers have crafted an advanced ant AI system and a custom pathfinding algorithm that allow players to witness thousands of ants moving naturally through their environment, interacting with each other, and performing colony tasks. This attention to detail transforms the game into a living ecosystem where players can observe the daily rhythms of the colony—workers tending to larvae, foragers gathering food, and the queen laying eggs—all unfolding with striking authenticity. The inclusion of realistic needs such as nutrition balance, hydration, and humidity control adds layers of challenge and realism, requiring players to maintain a carefully balanced environment to ensure the colony’s survival and growth. The progression system in Ant Keeping Simulator is both rewarding and educational. Starting from humble beginnings with a single queen, players watch as their colony expands into a complex network of tunnels and chambers, mirroring real ant nests. Players can upgrade and customize their habitat, unlocking new options to optimize the colony’s health and efficiency. The semi-idle gameplay allows for a relaxing experience where players can manage their colony passively while still having the option to intervene and strategize for optimal results. This blend of active and passive play caters to a wide audience, from casual players who enjoy the meditative aspects of the game to those who delight in micromanaging every aspect of their colony’s growth. Visually, the game adopts a clean, clear, and functional design that prioritizes user experience. The interface features intuitive controls, helpful tooltips, and informative icons that make managing even complex systems approachable. The representation of the ants and their environment is detailed enough to captivate without overwhelming, allowing players to focus on the colony’s development. While the game currently supports only English, its straightforward design and emphasis on visual cues make it accessible to a broader audience regardless of language barriers. This clarity in presentation enhances immersion, as players are free to concentrate on the fascinating biological processes occurring in their virtual colony. While Ant Keeping Simulator is a niche title, it shines by offering a highly focused and polished experience that caters to both hobbyists and curious players alike. It’s a game that educates as much as it entertains, revealing the complexity and wonder of ant societies through interactive simulation. Though still evolving, the game shows great promise as a tool for learning about ant biology and behavior, packaged within a calming and engaging gameplay loop. For anyone intrigued by nature, insects, or intricate simulation games, Ant Keeping Simulator provides a unique window into a miniature world teeming with life and activity, rewarding patience, curiosity, and careful stewardship. Rating: 8/10

I NEED WEAVER ANTS but other than that, it's alright. I like how I can watch the ants dig their home into the digging nests.

I love this game! It's super realistic and I keep ants myself in real life, this has to be the best ant experience game I've seen yet. Perfect for people who want to get into ant keeping since there is a setting to run your game in real time which is great for putting ant keeping into perspective. The new DLC is also great and totally worth it, the 9 new species are so fun to watch and care for! I really hope this game goes far, it really deserves to!

Ant Keeping Simulator est une vraie perle ! Ce n’est pas juste un idle game avec quelques animations : c’est une simulation semi-réaliste qui retranscrit avec une étonnante fidélité le quotidien d'une fourmi, de la première reine jusqu’à la gestion d’une colonie massive. Ce qui m’a bluffé, c’est le comportement des fourmis : les déplacements, les interactions, le fonctionnement interne de la colonie… tout respire la précision. Aussi, la montée en puissance de la colonie est particulièrement gratifiante : on part de rien, et on finit avec des milliers de fourmis, des salles spécialisées, des tunnels complexes… Un vrai petit empire souterrain. Pour un jeu de niche, Ant Keeping Simulator réussit son pari haut la main : c’est à la fois relaxant, instructif et étonnamment addictif. Si vous aimez les jeux de gestion, la biologie, ou juste observer des comportements fascinants, vous devriez lui donner sa chance.

A good game if you want to do ant keeping, but don't want to deal with any risks. Also has the basics of ant keeping. Overall the game is a soild game for ant keeping, only thing I hate is the way the ants fight enemies.