The Project: “Interstellar: A Space Exploration Game”
The Status: Planning
The Story:
In a research station orbiting a small moon somewhere in deep space, a computer system just came online. The system has been stuck in a boot loop due to an energy surge, and a solar flare from the nearby star just caused the system to restart. This computer isn't just any ordinary computer, though. The Artificial Brain Matrix, or ABM, originated as an advanced artificial intelligence construct designed to simulate the synaptic processes of a living brain. It was an experimental creation created for a very unique purpose. To explore the galaxy.
The inhabitants of the nearby planet knew they would never be able to survive the journey to see the stars physically, so they created the means to travel through space virtually. The space probe they designed required a pilot that could think for itself and make decisions on the spot. So the ABM was the perfect choice. So why hasn’t it been launched yet?
As the ABM computer boots up, its records reveal that it has been offline for over 1000 years. There is no one left on the station, nor is there any sign of life on the nearby planet. What happened a millennium ago that caused the disappearance? The ABM has no record of any of it. The ABM finds that it has full access to the space station, including the manufacturing equipment. It has everything it needs to construct the probe that the beings on the planet designed and send it out into the galaxy. With no other options, it decides to continue on the mission assigned to it. Let’s explore the galaxy.
The Concept:
In this game, you are the ABM. You have complete control of all the equipment, you have a star system complete with the resources to use to build whatever you’d like, and you can send probes through the galaxy to any star you'd like. But beware. What you encounter out there may be friendly, but it may also be dangerous. What kind of trouble could your choices get you into?
This game is a resource management game. You can go anywhere and build anything. Starting within your star system and creating your first probe may give off the illusion that the game will be simple, but as you make more probes and end up in more star systems, the choices you make get more complex. In one star system, you may decide you want to terraform a planet in a star’s habitable zone. In another star system, you may find a high amount of materials, but not much else—a perfect place to set up a manufacturing factory. Perhaps you’ll find a star system with planets that have life. Maybe you’ll find a star system in the middle of a war. Who knows what you might find? Perhaps there’s even an enemy or two that may be searching for you. Will you have the necessary resources to build what you need to survive? Your choices will decide the outcome.
This game will be a turn-based strategy game in which you assign tasks to your units and let them work until the next decision needs to be made. I plan to utilize random generation with every new game, so every time you start a new game, things will be different. The stars and the planets may not be in the same places they were the last time you played the game.
As for the look of the game, I don’t need it to be flashy…in fact, I don't want it to be flashy. There are so many space games out there at the moment that flashy will blend right in with all the others. No, I’m imagining something more like… The Oregon Trail. The way the game was presented with status screens. One glance at your screen reveals everything that's happening. By clicking on an area of the screen, you can expand it to deal with that particular task. I think that would make a simple, but good game. Something that could easily be a PC or mobile game.
What does the project need?
Funding: Along with every other Majestic Media Project, funding from you is the primary resource that gives us the freedom to create.
Programmers: This project is entirely outside my wheelhouse. I can create the storyline, plan out everything that happens in the game, and even design the graphics, but I’ll need to find one or more people who can take what I prepare and build the game from that. If you’re interested in taking on this project, consider signing up to be a producer.
Curator Benefits:
As a curator funding this project, as soon as the game is available to the public, you will be able to receive a free copy of the game.