What is Nested?
Nested is a small web toy that its own page calls a simulation of everything. It starts with a single line that says "+ universe". Click it and the universe opens up into galactic superclusters, then galaxies, star systems and planets, and you can keep clicking down through continents, living things, people and finally atoms.
Everything is made up as you click, so no two universes are the same. People have bodies, psyches, thoughts and memories, animals have short and silly thoughts of their own, and houses hold paintings, bookshelves and computers. Nested was made by Orteil, the developer behind Cookie Clicker, who coded most of it in 2011, released it in 2012 and added more in 2013. It is hosted by DashNet.
Main Features
- Starts from one "+ universe" line
- Click any item to see what is inside it
- Generated as you go, so every universe is different
- Goes from superclusters and galaxies down to people and atoms
- Funny thoughts for people and animals
- Odd surprises hidden in rare places
- Several colour themes to switch between
- Readable source code in a single script file
How to Get Started with Nested
- Open orteil.dashnet.org/nested in your browser.
- Click "+ universe" to open it.
- Pick a supercluster, then a galaxy, then a star system.
- Keep opening planets, places and creatures to see what is inside.
- Open a person to read their thoughts and memories.
Nested Pricing
Nested is free to use in the browser. The page shows a small ad and a PayPal donate button, and there is no paid version.
Who Should Use It?
- Anyone who likes strange little web toys
- Fans of Orteil and Cookie Clicker
- People who enjoy procedural generation
- Curious minds who like poking at the whole universe
Nested Alternatives
- Library of Babel is an endless library of generated pages holding every possible text.
- Scale of the Universe lets you zoom from the tiniest particles to the size of the whole universe.
- Cookie Clicker is Orteil's famous idle game about baking huge numbers of cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nested free?
Yes. Nested is free to use in your browser. It shows a small ad and has an optional donate button.
Who made Nested?
Nested was made by Orteil, the developer of Cookie Clicker, and it is hosted by DashNet.
Does Nested ever end?
Almost everything opens into more things, from universes down to atoms. A few items, such as thoughts, do not open any further.
Is Nested a game?
Not really. There is no goal or score. It is a toy you explore by clicking for as long as you like.