Sometimes I want to play a video game, and sometimes I just want to build a quiet little Dutch town with iron bridges, fountains, and cute trams that scurry around like bumblebees. The project in question is Tramstertram. Aside from being a terrifying pun, it’s a browser-based construction toy from Matt Stark, creator of the really quite beautiful Viewfinder.
Released a few hours ago, Tramstertram gives you a rotatable 3D scene with a selection of tiles to lay down – townhouses, streets, tram tracks and parklands, all of which merge into larger structures when you slot them together. It’s an homage to Townscaper, but nowhere near as elaborate, just a little gift on a digital windowsill for any passerby who, for whatever reason, wants to spend a few minutes enjoying the sight of a sparkling tram rolling along a line of trees.
Tramstertram includes a small selection of pre-built cities, including a fourth map that reveals the alchemy behind the tile combinations, and the ability to copy and paste a world code to share your creation. If trams aren’t your thing, Stark has extensive experience with this sort of thing. He’s made similar construction toys, including tree houses, aquariums, and mining carts.
Nice way to end the week, I think? If you need something more substantial, look out for the whimsigoth cottage building game Tiny Glade, due out this year – Kiera loved it.
