After launching on itch.io with a hybrid Early Access/Crowdfunding model, the hard sci-fi space sim Rings of Saturn (full name—ΔV: Rings of Saturn) is now available with Linux support on Steam in Early Access.
The year is 2273
The unexpected discovery of valuable minerals within the rings of Saturn has sparked a thriving space excavation industry. You control an asteroid excavation ship hoping to make it rich out on the rings, but soon you find out that all is not as it appears. Experience a hard sci-fi story backed up with real physics and science.
The level of detail going into the game is really quite impressive. I've been following the developer on Twitter, fascinated by the lengths they're going through to try and be accurate. Like this post for example, comparing in-game exhaust plumes with a real VASIMR (Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket) test.
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Key Features:
- Realistic top-down hard sci-fi space flight experience. Every aspect of gameplay is backed up by real science. Ships fly just as starships should.
- Jump into action in seconds with autopilot assist or save fuel by manual thruster maneuvers.
- Detailed ship simulation down to every subsystem - upgrade your ship, fix or even jury-rig broken systems on the fly. Every system failure will impact gameplay - adapt to survive in the hostile environment of space.
- Discover the mystery of the Rings, or just try to get rich leading your excavation company.
- Plan your strategy back on Enceladus Prime station. Sell your output, upgrade your ship, hire the crew and manage your company.
Even with the itch.io store being very niche, the developer still managed to pull in around $1.5K. Hopefully with it now on Steam, additional funding will come in enabling the developer to spend more time bringing the game to completion. It's also great that Kodera Software feel that Linux has been worth it for them!
So now you can grab it on either itch.io or Steam.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
MisterPaytwick Aug 13, 2019
The game feels amazing on a Steam Pad, sure you mostly use the assisted piloting but it's really nice to play it that way.
Now, I'm waiting to see if it get the Atomic Rockets Seal of Approval.
The game feels amazing on a Steam Pad, sure you mostly use the assisted piloting but it's really nice to play it that way.
Fun fact: I never use the assisted piloting. Unless you count occasionally using "x" to perform an auto-stop, which can be useful if you've taken damage on one of your thrusters and it's misaligned beyond your ability to jury-rig it back into operation.
The manual flight controls give an incredible feeling of agency in this game. I love it.
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