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Astronaut MMO may finally launch (pun intended)

Larry Everett — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Trailers, Video, New titles, Astronaut: Moon, Mars, and Beyond

Just when Astronaut: Moon, Mars, and Beyond was about to be written off as vaporware, NASA has popped back on the scene to announce some commercial backing for the project from developers Project Whitecard, Wisdom Tools, and Virtual Heroes.

According to the first announcement over two years ago, the MMO aims for a demographic of players age 5 to 24, setting them up as astronauts who are training to explore deep into Earth's star system in the year 2035. Imagine Space Camp... but actually in space.

To assist in funding the project, the developers of the upcoming MMO have created a Kickstarter page that includes a four-minute video explaining what the game is about. CEO for Wisdom Tools Dr. Sonny Kirkley explains in the video that the game is meant to be fun, but at the same time the designers "want the learning to be authentic." To that end, NASA has granted the developers full access to the rich history of the space program so that a true sense of realism can be achieved.

The game has been developed with the Unreal Engine 3 to work on PC, iPad, and some yet-to-be-announced consoles. Look for the beta testing to start in December of 2012, and watch the full Kickstarter video after the break.

Continue reading Astronaut MMO may finally launch (pun intended)

Astronaut MMO may finally launch (pun intended) originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Take part in space exploration with NASA's coming MMO

Eliot Lefebvre — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Real life, New titles, Previews, Academic, Education, Virtual worlds

How would you like to take a trip into space? No, not the stylized science fiction that Star Trek Online promises, or the fantasy-with-spaceships of Star Wars: the Old Republic. We've heard the announcement about NASA's coming space MMO, Astronaut: Moon, Mars and Beyond, but the game hasn't been making the rounds in the usual gaming circuit. An in-depth article about the game's development and planned release is interesting for any fans of the rigors and challenges of spaceflight, not mention a look at a game that's moving far outside the usual realm of our genre.

Much like America's Army, the goal of the game is to try and give players a taste of what it's like to actually work in the field being simulated. While the game is focusing on creating enjoyable gameplay first, players can expect to see landscapes and tasks grounded in solid scientific principles and based upon actual astronaut missions, complete with the real and tangible challenges of exploring inhospitable worlds. The article also discusses the MoonBase module, which is set to be launched as a free standalone component on Steam in January to serve as both a preview and a testbed for the game. Take a look at the full article for a closer examination of what the game could mean, and what it might be like to play a space game where you were less concerned about arming weapons and more concerned with understanding the world around you.

(Or, if you have to, start imagining an expansion set in the 1980s adding the Soviet space program as a new faction. Which is only slightly less realistic.)

Take part in space exploration with NASA's coming MMO originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NASA to launch MMO?

Eli Shayotovich — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Real life, Culture, MMO industry, News items, Academic, Education, Virtual worlds

With six (that I can think of off the top of my head) MMOs releasing this year (and probably twice that number in development), why not another? MMORPG.com is reporting on a press release from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration that the space agency is investigating the idea of creating their own heavenly MMO.

The Learning Technologies (LT) arm of NASA was created to support education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (something they call "STEM") through innovative technologies. MMOs definitely fall into that "innovative technologies" category, and NASA know it. Not wanting to get left behind, LT is looking at developing an educational MMO that lets players accurately simulate science experiments, practice repairing high-end NASA equipment, experience microgravity... basically live the life of an astronaut. Most kids list "astronaut" as one of the things they want to be when they grow up, so being able to virtually live out that dream is nothing short of amazing.

While this may not appeal to every gamer, some of the comments made in the press release regarding MMOs might, primarily: "The power of games as educational tools is rapidly gaining recognition." About time someone recognizes that! What's more, they go on to say that MMOs (or "synthetic environments" as NASA calls them) are the perfect "hands-on" tools to teach complex subjects, and help develop strategic thinking, interpretative analysis, problem solving, plan formulation and execution, team-building and cooperation, and adaptation to rapid change. In short, they can edumacate people.

Perhaps the understanding that NASA (a federally funded entity mind you) has about MMOs will help change how the rest of our government views gaming. And maybe the space explorers will finally take us where no gamer has gone before... true legitimacy.

NASA to launch MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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