An update from Hyperkat Games on development of their Mars Colony Simulator:

HyperKat Games Announces Mars Colony Simulator Demo 2 Release

Mars Colony Simulator – Independent game developer, HyperKat Games, is excited to announce the immediate release of Mars Colony Simulator public concept demo. Mars Colony Simulator is the first virtual Mars exploration simulator, based on existing practical science, that puts the user into an immersive first person 3D graphics experience. Version 2 of the demo is now available as a free download at Hyperkat.com.

Mars Colony Simulator hopes to bring realistic space exploration experiences to everyone. The first mission puts up to four people on the surface of Mars, with all of the basic tools of survival and specific goals to ensure the eventual successful colonization of our sister planet. While open ended, the primary tasks are to locate water, sustain life support systems, generate fuel and gather and catalog information on local exploitable resources. The simulation has an active weather system and Colonists are required to equip EVA gear to survive the hostile Mars environment while installing and managing external activities. Things break and successful Colonists must think creatively in juggling mission requirements while maintaining critical systems. Successful missions complete all or most of the mission parameters while generating sufficient fuel and oxygen to return to earth.

The second mission has been added to this release and will require the user to complete the first mission. You land back on Mars with a Farm Unit that requires you to plant seeds, water and fertilize them so they will grow. Users will have to pick the plants and process the material into food. Mission 2 also comes with a 2 person drivable rover named Hercules to help expand the capabilities of the site and prepare for mission 3. We added extra supplies, communications tower and wind generators so there is plenty to do.

While this demonstration is still conceptual, there is a lot of potential to influence the development, from academic to mainstream experiences. HyperKat needs your feedback and participation to help refine and steer the development toward the best possible experience. Please join us at HyperKat.com to provide feedback, opinions and participate in testing programs for new missions. Our special thanks to all the testers who have logged hundreds of hours working out the bugs in Mission 2! We have a great community and would love you to join us!

Mars Colony ETS information: www.hyperkat.com/colonyets.html
Mars Colony ETS blog: www.hyperkat.com/blog
Mars Colony ETS Testers: www.hyperkat.com/litterbox

HyperKat Games was created 2003 by Howard Dortch to design, develop and distribute fun games for all ages. The company is located in an economically depressed area of Southern Ohio in hopes of providing local college students employment in the games industry.

Howard Dortch currently teaches game design at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio. HyperKat is home to Mars Colony ETS, Virtual Rover Simulator, ScudBuster, SOF/Raiders and HyperXBall.
Company Site www.hyperkat.com