Hi Aurochnauts! ????????????
It's the November Mission Briefing: Developer Update for Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life with the latest update on what we've been up to. ????
Make sure you are subscribed to our Mars Horizon Newsletter to get these updates direct to your inbox and join our Discord to talk to other Mars Horizon and Space fans.
???? Update on the Release Window ????
As we revealed earlier in the month, we have moved the release window for Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life until 2025. We understand that this will be disappointing, but rest-assured that we will make Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life the space exploration title you deserve.
Your continued patience, understanding, and support is greatly appreciated.
✨ New Mars Horizon 2 Logo & Game Art ✨
To coincide with the delay announcement, we revealed the new-look Mars Horizon 2 logo and game art! We feel this better reflects what the game is and what you'll be doing.
UI/UX Director at Auroch Digital, Alix Briskham (She/Her) designed the logo for the original Mars Horizon, and has leant her skills again to create the new artwork and logo. She provides context for the decision behind these below:
"When the logo was created a year ago, we didn't know exactly how the game was going to look or feel or what the major themes would be. We ended up on a cool tone palette and a rocket swooping upwards through the solar system, as a nod to the previous logo, but a bit more dynamic.
"As the project went on however, we thought the logo could be revisited to line it up better with how the game had evolved. Given that there was a hex grid playing a large part in the game now, the circle was replaced with a hexagon, and a gold outline replaced silver, as gold had become a highlight colour throughout the UI.
"For the various steam banners that make the game look inviting to players, I had the wonderful 3D artists on the team mock up some nice shots of the planet surface gameplay, launch pad, and the Mars Rover model that we use in the game, and then I composited various images over them such as creating a sunrise over Mars's horizon ????. As well as blending the launch scene with the surface view for the larger key art, I liked how the smoke from the launch rose up around the logo and then blended nicely with the dust of the surface.
"It was lovely to be able to have designed the original Mars Horizon logo and then get to design Mars Horizon 2's logo many years later."
???? Updated Mars Horizon 2 Screenshots ????
In addition to the new game art and logo, we also publicly shared the latest screenshots on the game's Steam Store page! ????
Producer on Mars Horizon 2, Matthew Holmes (He/Him) shares further insight into these screenshots and what players can expect:
???? Mars Rover Exploring – "The rovers are the players' principal instrument for interacting with the surface. The player will outfit their rovers with modules to suit them to hostile environments. Rovers are multi-faceted exploration tools that can perform numerous actions on planetary surfaces."
????????♂️ Mars Rover Movement – "Mars Horizon 2 leverages a hex based tile system to bring the exploration of the solar system as close to the player as possible. Players will have to navigate a variety of hazards ensuring they keep their rover safe from harm by avoiding obstacles."
???? Solar System Transit Lines – "The Solar System is the players' strategic management screen. From this screen, players will be able to see all of the payloads they currently have in transit, alongside those of the rival space agencies."
???? A Spotlight on Mars Horizon 2's Mechanics for Turn-Based Carnival! ????
We were delighted to be part of Acram Digital's Turn-Based Carnival 2024, which took place on Steam 13th - 20th November. Both Mars Horizon and Mars Horizon 2 were part of it! ????
To celebrate, we provided insight into Mars Horizon 2's Turn-Based mechanics, which you can read on the game's Steam Store page right now!
A huge thanks to Acram Games for featuring us in the Carnival's line-up. ????????
???? November Was Also a Time to Get Cozy ????
In addition to Turn-Based Carnival, we were also part of Secret Mode's Cozy Quest 2024! Both Mars Horizon and Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life also participated in this Steam Festival, which celebrates games that make us feel warm and cozy. ????
A massive thanks to Secret Mode for including both Mars Horizon games in this feel-good festival! ????
???? Talks from the Mars Horizon 2 Team ????
Lead Designer, John O'Donnell, and Programmer, Siddharth Mishra, on Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life recently gave two separate talks about game development! ????
John led a lecture at the ITU Copenhagen to MSc Games students on Creativity and Craft in Game Development. Siddharth held a talk at VIT, Pune, introducing students to the vast world of game development.
Great work to two members of the Mars Horizon 2 team for sharing their knowledge with the future of the industry! ????????
???? Latest Space-related News ????
There's been a variety of exciting space news recently and here's a round-up of them to keep you up to date!
- ???? ESA's Smile Mission - New Series looking at their brand-new space mission. Smile is the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer
- ???? The Mystery of Uranus! - Scientists might finally have worked out the big mystery of Uranus – and space weather might be to blame
- ???? China's reusable rocket - China’s main space contractor has unveiled a fully reusable rocket concept to support its grandest ambitions.
????️Follow Mars Horizon 2 On Socials????️
Don't miss out on the cool content we'll have to share throughout the development journey and some behind the scenes looks at what we get up to: ????
Auroch Digital Bluesky
Auroch Digital TikTok
Auroch Digital Discord
