Helium Rain, the space simulation and strategy game from Deimos Games has left Early Access as a rather impressive game.
I really love what they did with it too, while you can purchase the game to support the developer, the source code is also available under an open source license on GitHub.
About the game:
Helium Rain is a single-player space simulation that places you at the helm of a spacefaring company. Trade resources, buy ships and stations to fulfill contracts ! Dock at stations to buy and sell you wares or upgrade your ship, upgrade your technology to be more efficient and militarize your fleet to prevent piracy.
You will need to master both real-time action and long-term strategy: destroying a freighter has a direct impact on the economy, while declaring war will make your spaceflight environment slightly more hostile...
It has a very clean style to the interface, as well as some pretty breathtaking visuals around some of the planets, the spaceship design is also pretty sweet. Well worth a look.
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Direct Link
Direct Link
It's not a story-based game, so it's more for those of you who like to go your own way, explore, trade and destroy. Due to how everything works, it's much more of a simulation game than some space sims out there and it really is impressive. I think it's a big shame it's been so completely overlooked elsewhere.
Feature Highlight:
- Realistic economy model with supply and demand
- Strategy gameplay with procedural quests, world exploration, technology upgrades
- 13 playable ships with weapon and engine upgrades
- Fast-paced combat with a Newtonian flight model
- Localized damage model for spacecrafts
- Quick-play skirmish mode
Find it on Steam.
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It looks great and I like the setting. Time for a new computer, I fear...
And is it possible to support the devs without paying a Steam tax? Just when there are real alternatives to buy PCs without the MS tax.
And is it possible to support the devs without paying a Steam tax? Just when there are real alternatives to buy PCs without the MS tax.
2 Likes, Who?
It looks great and I like the setting. Time for a new computer, I fear...Hi ! We're working on a Itch.io release, and we've also been in contact with GOG. We'll have more on this in a few days, right now Steam is the way to go.
And is it possible to support the devs without paying a Steam tax? Just when there are real alternatives to buy PCs without the MS tax.
13 Likes, Who?
I really like how they didn't do a generic spacesim design, but instead they went to this weird retro-bubble and very high contrasts. It's visually unique, not always very readable, but it has charisma for sure.
My PC is 4/5 years old, and Helium Rain runs well with everything max/medium.
Linux Mint 64bits Xfce
Intel Core i5 4590 (4 x 3,3 GHz)
MSI GeForce GTX 960 @ 2 Go
Drivers NVIDIA 384
16 Go DIMM DDR3 PC12800
Screen 16/9 24" LED 1920x1080
I'm doing a video serie on my YT channel also, following the tutorial for the first steps and giving some insight about some stuff. And, it's in french : https://www.youtube.com/c/JeuxIndecents/ Episode 4 is on its way.
Last edited by Tchey on 12 October 2018 at 11:41 am UTC
It looks great and I like the setting. Time for a new computer, I fear...
My PC is 4/5 years old, and Helium Rain runs well with everything max/medium.
Linux Mint 64bits Xfce
Intel Core i5 4590 (4 x 3,3 GHz)
MSI GeForce GTX 960 @ 2 Go
Drivers NVIDIA 384
16 Go DIMM DDR3 PC12800
Screen 16/9 24" LED 1920x1080
I'm doing a video serie on my YT channel also, following the tutorial for the first steps and giving some insight about some stuff. And, it's in french : https://www.youtube.com/c/JeuxIndecents/ Episode 4 is on its way.
Last edited by Tchey on 12 October 2018 at 11:41 am UTC
3 Likes, Who?
I like the look and sound of this, seems my kind of thing. I'll make a note...
0 Likes
Mountain Man Oct 12, 2018
I assume this is one of those cases where even though the source code is in the public domain, it's not possible to simply get the game for free?
Edit: Yep, just checked the GitHub page, and they make it clear that what's available in the repository is not actually the whole game but only select portions of code as a resource for other developers who are interested in learning the Unreal Engine.
Last edited by Mountain Man on 12 October 2018 at 12:35 pm UTC
Edit: Yep, just checked the GitHub page, and they make it clear that what's available in the repository is not actually the whole game but only select portions of code as a resource for other developers who are interested in learning the Unreal Engine.
Last edited by Mountain Man on 12 October 2018 at 12:35 pm UTC
0 Likes
Arehandoro Oct 12, 2018
Today I dreamed that I managed to develop a graphic adventure and that I released the code for the community. Now I see this. The universe is telling me to stop dreaming and start working... or something hahaha.
0 Likes
I assume this is one of those cases where even though the source code is in the public domain, it's not possible to simply get the game for free?The games source code is there, but the assets are not. Similar to how a lot of developers do it, so that they earn money still while allowing others to use the code.
Edit: Yep, just checked the GitHub page, and they make it clear that what's available in the repository is not actually the whole game but only select portions of code as a resource for other developers who are interested in learning the Unreal Engine.
0 Likes
It looks great and I like the setting. Time for a new computer, I fear...Hi ! We're working on a Itch.io release, and we've also been in contact with GOG. We'll have more on this in a few days, right now Steam is the way to go.
And is it possible to support the devs without paying a Steam tax? Just when there are real alternatives to buy PCs without the MS tax.
My favourite way of buying stuff is when a game is offered as a Steam *and* a GOG key on the humble store... Best of both worlds, from a consumer perspective :)
Newtonian flight model<3
I've been eying this one for a while... Time to buy? I have no time to play, though :/
Last edited by MayeulC on 12 October 2018 at 2:04 pm UTC
1 Likes, Who?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I recall somewhere that the development of this game was either mostly or fully done in Linux? I remember seeing something about how Blender in Linux was the main 3D modeling program used for Helium Rain. Maybe compiled/debugged too?Most of the gameplay code was developed under Linux, that's correct. And you're also correct that we use Blender as a modeling software and video editor, it's a pretty amazing tool !
If that's the case, I 'd say it's doubly important to [financially] support the dev. We need more of this.
We've just released on itch.io too, per popular request !
Last edited by Stranger on 12 October 2018 at 2:14 pm UTC
5 Likes, Who?
I bought this in the early access phase to support the developers with their Linux/blender workflow. I'm looking forward to trying the finished product!
0 Likes
Mountain Man Oct 12, 2018
Yes. I don't have a problem with that. I was just looking for clarification.I assume this is one of those cases where even though the source code is in the public domain, it's not possible to simply get the game for free?The games source code is there, but the assets are not. Similar to how a lot of developers do it, so that they earn money still while allowing others to use the code.
Edit: Yep, just checked the GitHub page, and they make it clear that what's available in the repository is not actually the whole game but only select portions of code as a resource for other developers who are interested in learning the Unreal Engine.
0 Likes
Chuckaluphagus Oct 12, 2018
I've been reading the coverage of Helium Rain here on GoL. I'm a sucker for a lovely space sim, so with the release news today I've made my purchase.
1 Likes, Who?
GustyGhost Oct 12, 2018
It looks great and I like the setting. Time for a new computer, I fear...Hi ! We're working on a Itch.io release, and we've also been in contact with GOG. We'll have more on this in a few days, right now Steam is the way to go.
And is it possible to support the devs without paying a Steam tax? Just when there are real alternatives to buy PCs without the MS tax.
I could have sworn I'd seen Helium Rain on itch in the past. Was an early build once there? Or am I just losing my mind?
0 Likes
It's on itch now but it definitely wasn't.It looks great and I like the setting. Time for a new computer, I fear...Hi ! We're working on a Itch.io release, and we've also been in contact with GOG. We'll have more on this in a few days, right now Steam is the way to go.
And is it possible to support the devs without paying a Steam tax? Just when there are real alternatives to buy PCs without the MS tax.
I could have sworn I'd seen Helium Rain on itch in the past. Was an early build once there? Or am I just losing my mind?
0 Likes
We've just released on itch.io too, per popular request !
Great, thanks for providing such option! Do you think GOG release is likely, or they are still undecided? I'm tempted to buy it on itch now, but I'd prefer GOG if it will eventually happen.
Last edited by Shmerl on 12 October 2018 at 4:40 pm UTC
0 Likes
They're still undecided, which has been the case for quite some time now, so I wouldn't hold my breath.We've just released on itch.io too, per popular request !
Great, thanks for providing such option! Do you think GOG release is likely, or they are still undecided? I'm tempted to buy it on itch now, but I'd prefer GOG if it will eventually happen.
1 Likes, Who?
And is it possible to support the devs without paying a Steam tax? Just when there are real alternatives to buy PCs without the MS tax.
Without Steam and all the money valve invests in Linuxgaming, the Steam tax is ok for me.
Also Steam brings other services to me, that it is worth it.
0 Likes
I don't get GOG's politics at times... almost as if they don't want to compete, or maybe think they don't have any competition?They're still undecided, which has been the case for quite some time now, so I wouldn't hold my breath.We've just released on itch.io too, per popular request !
Great, thanks for providing such option! Do you think GOG release is likely, or they are still undecided? I'm tempted to buy it on itch now, but I'd prefer GOG if it will eventually happen.
Thanks for having it on itch, instabought.
EDIT: Not that I could have bought it on GOG even if I'd wanted to - their recent "improved" redesign effectively prevents me from logging in. Good job, GOG.
Last edited by Valck on 12 October 2018 at 8:58 pm UTC
0 Likes
I don't get GOG's politics at times... almost as if they don't want to compete, or maybe think they don't have any competition?They're still undecided, which has been the case for quite some time now, so I wouldn't hold my breath.We've just released on itch.io too, per popular request !
Great, thanks for providing such option! Do you think GOG release is likely, or they are still undecided? I'm tempted to buy it on itch now, but I'd prefer GOG if it will eventually happen.
Thanks for having it on itch, instabought.
EDIT: Not that I could have bought it on GOG even if I'd wanted to - their recent "improved" redesign effectively prevents me from logging in. Good job, GOG.
There is a whole thread related to GOG's curation here: https://www.gog.com/forum/general/what_do_you_think_of_gogs_current_level_of_curation/page1
1 Likes, Who?
Avehicle7887 Oct 12, 2018
Holy crap, I'm not sure where was I looking when I watched the trailer for the first time, I was always under the impression it's a 2D based space trader, only now I saw the cockpit flight :O
I won't have any use for the source code but these devs get respect for doing this, and very soon also my money.
I won't have any use for the source code but these devs get respect for doing this, and very soon also my money.
0 Likes
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