NASA Launches Moonbase Alpha 230
Several readers have sent word that today NASA launched Moonbase Alpha, an online game with single- and multi-player capability that "allows participants to step into the role of an exploration team member in a futuristic 3-D lunar settlement." The game is available now through Steam for free. Moonbase Alpha was built as a precursor to an upcoming NASA MMO called Astronaut: Moon, Mars & Beyond, and they hope it will be "a proof of concept to show how NASA content can be combined with a cutting-edge game engine to inspire, engage and educate students about agency technologies, job opportunities and the future of space exploration."
In space... (Score:4, Funny)
Nobody can hear you troll.
Only 11 years late... (Score:4, Funny)
Only 11 years late... [imdb.com]
Some cheats for players:
1 Stay away from the nuclear waste dump.
2 Don't shoot energy-absorbing being with a laser - just get them in a powered-down section and wait for them to run out of energy.
3 Neutron reaction drives won't make you a lot of friends.
Re:In space... (Score:3, Funny)
Oh shit.
Re:In space... (Score:5, Funny)
Good God, you're absolutely right. Every geek and nerd in the verse is a perfect target to send on missions to space... We have to warn... Somebody... wait... whats bad about this?
Re:Please... (Score:5, Funny)
Is this how screwed up NASA is, reduced to releasing video games as opposed to sending people into space?
It's a master recruitment plan. See, kids think they're playing a game but in reality, they're being trained and the best of the best of the best will rise until one day, via their "game" they're doing actual exploration without realizing it. I hear they're planning a military version of this too.
Code name: ENDER
Re:This is NOT part of NASA's new mission priority (Score:1, Funny)
Well, if you think terrorists are bad... just wait until you meet... SPACE TERRORISTS! Mars is a dead planet for a reason.
DAMMIT!!! (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Please... (Score:4, Funny)
(kicks you in the nuts)
Re:In space... (Score:3, Funny)
How stimulating. (Score:4, Funny)
I can only imagine that the excitement curve for the game will be the same as any other MMO or living on an actual moon base.
Day 1: Woo! I'm on the server/moon!
Day 2: Wow! I can do like, 6 different things. Sweet!
Day 12: OH SWEET JESUS WHY CAN'T I ESCAPE THIS EYE-STABBING BOREDOM!!!!!
Re:I remember when ... (Score:2, Funny)
Moonbase Alpha... Alpha Complex (Score:3, Funny)
Greetings Friend Citizen!
It is the future, and you are a proud citizen of Moonbase Alpha, a moonbase run by a benevolent Computer.
All is foreseen. All is right and just. All is good and pure. All because of The Computer.
The Computer is Your Friend!
Welcome to Moonbase Alpha. The Computer is Your Friend!
Re:Steam (Score:5, Funny)
Re:In space... (Score:3, Funny)
Don't worry, they don't want you dead. They need us to fix their computers so they can go on Facebook.
VAC enabled? (Score:4, Funny)
Cause I just hate it when I'm bunny hopping along on the moon's surface and suddenly get head-shotted by some kid using an aimbot.
Re:Only 11 years late... (Score:5, Funny)
And the instances will be just like playing WoW with shitty pick-up groups.
Astronaut [party] Okay guys, I'm going up. You ready to make sure my mission is a success?
Congressman [party] I got all the money you need.
Contractor [party] All systems go! We got your back.
Administrator [party] You are cleared for take off.
Astronaut launches STS-135.
Astronaut is now 2 km above launch site.
*Astronaut is attacked by Faulty O-Ring (elite)*
Astronaut [party] oshitoshitoshit
Contractor disconnects from the server.
Administrator casts Blame the Contractor. Administrator teleports out.
Congressman casts Hookers and Blow. Congressman teleports out.
Astronaut takes 2389358954390354-e35 damage.
Astronaut dies.
Contractor reconnects.
Contractor [party] Guys? What'd I miss?
Congressman [party] Uhh yeah, I gotta go. Getting a blow job.
Astronaut [party] Fucking DIE.
Administrator [guild] We don't talk that way in the NASA guild.
Astronaut has been kicked from NASA.
The End.
"NASA MMO" - End game strategies (Score:3, Funny)
Re:I remember when ... (Score:3, Funny)