NASA Releasing MMO Mini-Game Demo in Early 2010
We published a brief news story last month about NASA's upcoming video game; "Astronaut: Mars, Moon and Beyond," a space-themed MMO, still in early development. NASA's Daniel Laughlin said it will be the world's first MMO geared toward the education of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (or STEM), while providing the same level of entertainment you might expect from titles like World of Warcraft. NASA first plans to release a mini-game/demo called "MoonBase" through Steam, which features a smaller "module" of the larger MMO.
Now confirmed as "Moonbase Alpha" on NASA's official website (in its newly-opened "MMO" section), the agency confirms the mini-game is scheduled for release through Steam in early 2010. "The mini demo game Moon Base Alpha utilizes actual NASA Constellation program design details developed by NASA for mankind’s return to the Moon in 2020," a recent press release reads. "Timelines in the much anticipated Astronaut: Moon, Mars and Beyond MMO will be set even farther in the exciting future (2035+), but the ability to explore our own near-future moon missions is also planned for in the forthcoming game facilitated by the NASA Learning Technologies and Innovative Partnerships Programs." A video demo of Moonbase Alpha (a slide show of screenshots) is also available. You can also check out the official Astronaut: Mars, Moon and Beyond website, hosted by the developers (Astronaut: Mars, Moon and Beyond, LLC), which features a collection of press releases, news and other media.