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{{about|the video game|other uses}}{{Spoken Wikipedia|date=29 May 2024|MoonbaseAlphaArticle.ogg}}
{{about|the NASA computer game|the setting of ''Space: 1999'', a television series|Moonbase Alpha (Space: 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Refimprove|date=December 2011}}
{{Refimprove|date=December 2011}}
{{Infobox video game
{{Infobox video game
| title = Moonbase Alpha
| title = Moonbase Alpha
| image = Moonbase Alpha Logo.jpg
| image =
| developer = {{Unbulleted list|[[Virtual Heroes]]|[[United States Army|Army Game Studio]]}}
| developer = {{Unbulleted list|[[Virtual Heroes]]|[[United States Army|Army Game Studio]]}}
| publisher = [[NASA Learning Technologies]]
| publisher = [[NASA Learning Technologies]]
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}}
}}


'''''Moonbase Alpha''''' is a [[video game]] that provides a realistic simulation of life on a natural satellite based on potential Moon base programs. It was made by the Army Game Studio, developers of ''[[America's Army]]'', and [[Virtual Heroes, Inc.]] in conjunction with [[NASA Learning Technologies]]. The game was released on July 6, 2010, as a free download on [[Steam (service)|Steam]].<ref name=Steam>{{cite web |url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/39000/ |title=Moonbase Alpha on Steam |work=steampowered.com |accessdate=November 9, 2010}}</ref> At the [[Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference]] in 2010, the game won the top honors in the government category of the Serious Game Showcase & Challenge.<ref name=IITSECpress>{{cite web |author=staff |title=Virtual Heroes' Moonbase Alpha Wins Top Serious Gaming Honor at I/ITSEC |url=http://www.ara.com/Newsroom_Whatsnew/press_releases/pr-serious-game-award.htm |accessdate=February 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403062807/http://www.ara.com/Newsroom_Whatsnew/press_releases/pr-serious-game-award.htm |archivedate=April 3, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
'''''Moonbase Alpha''''' is a simulation [[video game]] based on potential [[colonization of the Moon|Moon base programs]]. It was made by the Army Game Studio, developers of ''[[America's Army]]'', and [[Virtual Heroes, Inc.]] in conjunction with [[NASA Learning Technologies]]. The game was released on July 6, 2010, as a free download on [[Steam (service)|Steam]].<ref name="Steam">{{cite web|last=|first=|date=2010-07-06|title=Moonbase Alpha on Steam|url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/39000/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=November 9, 2010|work=[[Steam (service)|Steam]]}}</ref> At the [[Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference]] in 2010, the game won the top honors in the government category of the Serious Game Showcase & Challenge.<ref name="IITSECpress">{{cite web|author=|first=|date=|title=Virtual Heroes' Moonbase Alpha Wins Top Serious Gaming Honor at I/ITSEC|url=http://www.ara.com/Newsroom_Whatsnew/press_releases/pr-serious-game-award.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403062807/http://www.ara.com/Newsroom_Whatsnew/press_releases/pr-serious-game-award.htm|archive-date=2011-04-03|access-date=2020-05-12|website=|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

''Moonbase Alpha'' remains available on Steam, and a modified version has been playable at an exhibit at the [[Museum of Science & Industry (Tampa)|Museum of Science and Industry]] in Tampa, Florida since 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-29|title=NASA Moonbase Alpha|url=https://www.virtualheroes.com/portfolio/education/mission-moonbase/|access-date=2021-07-14|website=Virtual Heroes|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-07-01|title=Explore MOSI|url=https://mosi.org/explore-mosi/|access-date=2021-07-14|website=Museum of Science and Industry|language=en-US}}</ref>


==Plot==
==Plot==
''Moonbase Alpha'' is set in the year 2032 and focuses on exploring the day in the life of a lunar-based astronaut. As a meteor strike damages an outpost near the Moon's South Pole, the player must take control of a member of the outpost's research team and repair the outpost in order to save the 12 years of research accomplished there. These tasks will include repairing vital components of the life support system, solar array and oxygen units, and can be accomplished with a wide variety of tools ranging from robotic repair units to the [[lunar rover]].
''Moonbase Alpha'' is set in the year 2025. As a meteor impact damages an outpost near the Moon's South Pole, the player must take control of a member of the outpost's research team and repair the outpost in order to save the personnel on board. These tasks include repairing vital components of the life support system, solar array and oxygen units, and can be accomplished with a wide variety of tools ranging from robotic repair units to the [[lunar rover]].


==Development==
==Development==
''Moonbase Alpha'' was designed as a tech demo to test ideas to be used in ''[[Astronaut: Moon, Mars and Beyond]]'', NASA's massively multiplayer online game. It was also designed to encourage an interest in space exploration in school children. Because the game is meant to be a collaborative effort, the repair mission can be conducted by six players with an additional six observers. An online leaderboard is included, encouraging players to use teamwork to help repair the station faster and earn a spot on the leaderboard.
''Moonbase Alpha'' was designed as a precursor to ''[[Astronaut: Moon, Mars and Beyond]]'', NASA's massively multiplayer online game that was never released. The game intended to encourage interest in space exploration in young children. Because the game is meant to be a collaborative effort, the repair mission can be conducted by six players with an additional six observers. An online leaderboard is included, encouraging players to use teamwork to help repair the station faster and earn high rankings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Moonbase Alpha|url=https://sservi.nasa.gov/articles/moonbase-alpha/|access-date=2021-07-14|website=Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute|language=en-US}}</ref>


The game was designed using the [[Unreal Engine 3]].<ref name="nasa"/>
The game was designed using the [[Unreal Engine 3]].<ref name="nasa"/>
==Reception==
==Reception==
''Moonbase Alpha'' was released to mixed reception. [[Gameplanet (New Zealand)|Gameplanet]] gave the game a 6.0/10. feeling that it was too short and needed more diverse missions, but noted that it was still quite well-made for a free game.<ref name=mb-gameplanet>{{cite web|title=Moonbase Alpha review|url=http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/pc/games/162879.Moonbase-Alpha/reviews/135241.Moonbase-Alpha/|publisher=Gameplanet|accessdate=August 25, 2012}}</ref>
''Moonbase Alpha'' was released to mixed reception. [[Gameplanet (New Zealand)|Gameplanet]] gave the game a score of 6/10, feeling that it was too short and needed more diverse missions, but noted that it was still quite well-made for a free game.<ref name="mb-gameplanet">{{cite web|last=Cheer|first=Dan|date=July 8, 2010|title=Moonbase Alpha review|url=http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/pc/games/162879.Moonbase-Alpha/reviews/135241.Moonbase-Alpha/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116000755/http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/pc/games/162879.Moonbase-Alpha/reviews/135241.Moonbase-Alpha/|archive-date=November 16, 2018|access-date=August 25, 2012|publisher=Gameplanet}}</ref> [[Common Sense Media]] said the game "shows students practical challenges of space", but that it was held back by poor introductory tutorials.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-03-05|title=Moonbase Alpha Review for Teachers|url=https://www.commonsense.org/education/game/moonbase-alpha|access-date=2021-07-14|website=Common Sense Education|language=en}}</ref>


''Moonbase Alpha'' also spawned a [[internet meme|meme]] surrounding the [[SpeechFX|Fonix DECtalk]] [[text-to-speech]] functionality within its internal chat system, where users would spam certain nonsensical phrases and words into its chat rooms, parsed by the TTS system in a humorous manner.<ref>{{cite web|title=NASA’s latest game makes you a network admin… in space!|url=http://www.geek.com/articles/games/nasas-latest-game-makes-you-a-network-admin-in-space-20111013/|publisher=Geek.com|accessdate=August 25, 2012}}</ref>
''Moonbase Alpha'' also spawned a [[internet meme|meme]] surrounding the [[DECtalk]] [[text-to-speech]] functionality within its internal chat system, where users would spam certain nonsensical phrases and words into its chat rooms, parsed by the TTS system in a humorous manner.<ref>{{cite web|title=NASA's latest game makes you a network admin… in space!|url=https://www.geek.com/games/nasas-latest-game-makes-you-a-network-admin-in-space-1429581|publisher=Geek.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614050720/https://www.geek.com/games/nasas-latest-game-makes-you-a-network-admin-in-space-1429581/|archive-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=dead|quote=NASA’s previous game release, Moonbase Alpha, [...] was perhaps best known for a text-to-speech feature in its in-game chat channel[...]|access-date=August 25, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jalopnik.com/moonbase-alphas-chat-function-is-still-funny-after-14-y-1851597033|title=Moonbase Alpha's Chat Function Is Still Funny After 14 Years|date=July 17, 2024|website=Jalopnik}}</ref>
The most famous of these is the video "Moonbase Alpha provides a realistic simulation of life on a natural satellite<ref>{{Citation|title=Moonbase Alpha provides a realistic simulation of life on a natural satellite|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv6RbEOlqRo|language=en|access-date=2019-11-14}}</ref>", in which has gained 8 million views as of November 2019.It give also Songs they made by the Text to speak Function, becous the Certain "codes" can be entered in the chat to change the pitch, tone, and (or) length of the TTS to make it sing.


==References==
==References==
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|refs=
|refs=


<ref name="nasa">{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/national/ltp/games/moonbasealpha/mbalpha-landing-collection1-About.html |title=Moonbase Alpha |website=[[NASA]] |accessdate=December 8, 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="nasa">{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/national/ltp/games/moonbasealpha/mbalpha-landing-collection1-About.html |title=Moonbase Alpha |website=[[NASA]] |access-date=December 8, 2011}}</ref>
}}
}}


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[[Category:2010 video games]]
[[Category:2010 video games]]
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[[Category:Windows games]]
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[[Category:Windows-only games]]
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[[Category:NASA online]]
[[Category:Massively multiplayer online games]]
[[Category:Massively multiplayer online games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
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[[Category:NASA online]]
[[Category:Science fiction video games]]
[[Category:Simulation video games]]
[[Category:Simulation video games]]
[[Category:Unreal Engine games]]
[[Category:Unreal Engine 3 games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games set in 2032]]
[[Category:Video games set in 2025]]
[[Category:Video games set on the Moon]]
[[Category:Video games set on the Moon]]
[[Category:Internet memes]]
[[Category:Virtual Heroes games]]
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[[Category:Windows games]]
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[[Category:Windows-only games]]
[[Category:Video game memes]]

Latest revision as of 23:48, 1 January 2025

This article is about the video game. For other uses, see Moonbase Alpha (disambiguation).
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Moonbase Alpha
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)NASA Learning Technologies
EngineUnreal Engine 3[1]
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
Release
  • WW: July 6, 2010
Genre(s)Simulation
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Moonbase Alpha is a simulation video game based on potential Moon base programs. It was made by the Army Game Studio, developers of America's Army, and Virtual Heroes, Inc. in conjunction with NASA Learning Technologies. The game was released on July 6, 2010, as a free download on Steam.[2] At the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference in 2010, the game won the top honors in the government category of the Serious Game Showcase & Challenge.[3]

Moonbase Alpha remains available on Steam, and a modified version has been playable at an exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa, Florida since 2012.[4][5]

Plot

[edit]

Moonbase Alpha is set in the year 2025. As a meteor impact damages an outpost near the Moon's South Pole, the player must take control of a member of the outpost's research team and repair the outpost in order to save the personnel on board. These tasks include repairing vital components of the life support system, solar array and oxygen units, and can be accomplished with a wide variety of tools ranging from robotic repair units to the lunar rover.

Development

[edit]

Moonbase Alpha was designed as a precursor to Astronaut: Moon, Mars and Beyond, NASA's massively multiplayer online game that was never released. The game intended to encourage interest in space exploration in young children. Because the game is meant to be a collaborative effort, the repair mission can be conducted by six players with an additional six observers. An online leaderboard is included, encouraging players to use teamwork to help repair the station faster and earn high rankings.[6]

The game was designed using the Unreal Engine 3.[1]

Reception

[edit]

Moonbase Alpha was released to mixed reception. Gameplanet gave the game a score of 6/10, feeling that it was too short and needed more diverse missions, but noted that it was still quite well-made for a free game.[7] Common Sense Media said the game "shows students practical challenges of space", but that it was held back by poor introductory tutorials.[8]

Moonbase Alpha also spawned a meme surrounding the DECtalk text-to-speech functionality within its internal chat system, where users would spam certain nonsensical phrases and words into its chat rooms, parsed by the TTS system in a humorous manner.[9][10]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Moonbase Alpha". NASA. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  2. ^ "Moonbase Alpha on Steam". Steam. July 6, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  3. ^ "Virtual Heroes' Moonbase Alpha Wins Top Serious Gaming Honor at I/ITSEC". Archived from the original on April 3, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  4. ^ "NASA Moonbase Alpha". Virtual Heroes. September 29, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  5. ^ "Explore MOSI". Museum of Science and Industry. July 1, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  6. ^ "Moonbase Alpha". Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  7. ^ Cheer, Dan (July 8, 2010). "Moonbase Alpha review". Gameplanet. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  8. ^ "Moonbase Alpha Review for Teachers". Common Sense Education. March 5, 2014. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  9. ^ "NASA's latest game makes you a network admin… in space!". Geek.com. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2012. NASA's previous game release, Moonbase Alpha, [...] was perhaps best known for a text-to-speech feature in its in-game chat channel[...]
  10. ^ "Moonbase Alpha's Chat Function Is Still Funny After 14 Years". Jalopnik. July 17, 2024.
[edit]
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