The White Laboratory

The White Laboratory is a physics-based tower defense and RTS game set in a facility floating in the atmosphere of a remote gas planet. Across a series of missions, you combine modular robotic components into structures and command them to complete a quadrennial maintenance operation. Build ground defenses, send out propeller air probes, attract and transfer scrap, and use the physics-driven systems to handle combat and other tasks.

Build and command

Robotic components serve multiple purposes, letting you construct small functional structures in real time, with the option to pause. Rather than upgrading structures such as ground defense towers, you modify them or build onto them to adapt to changing situations. Objects can also be reused for other purposes or have additional uses as more sandbox elements are introduced.

Physics-driven strategy

Most objects are physically simulated, affecting how they move and behave. You need to account for physical effects when making strategic decisions: bullets can bounce off non-targets, while obstacles and drones can physically affect incoming opponents. Structural balance also plays a role.

Game modes

• Experiment mode: also known as the campaign, it explores varied combinations of robotic components across activities such as expansionary defense, conquest and production.
• Sandbox: build and test different structural designs with a large supply of materials, and complete additional challenges.
• Survival: defend a fortress.

Visual style

The clean metallic look suits the sci-fi setting and keeps structural designs clear. The game also supports colorblindness.