Moonbase Alpha: Difference between revisions
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''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 [[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> |
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Certain "codes" can be entered in the chat to change the pitch, tone, and (or) length of the TTS to make it sing. |
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. Certain "codes" can be entered in the chat to change the pitch, tone, and (or) length of the TTS to make it sing. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 13:48, 14 November 2019
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2011) |
| Moonbase Alpha | |
|---|---|
| File:Moonbase Alpha Logo.jpg | |
| Developer(s) | |
| Publisher(s) | NASA Learning Technologies |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 3[1] |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
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.[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]
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.
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.
The game was designed using the Unreal Engine 3.[1]
Reception
Moonbase Alpha was released to mixed reception. 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.[4]
Moonbase Alpha also spawned a meme surrounding the 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.[5] The most famous of these is the video "Moonbase Alpha provides a realistic simulation of life on a natural satellite[6]", in which has gained 8 million views as of November 2019. Certain "codes" can be entered in the chat to change the pitch, tone, and (or) length of the TTS to make it sing.
References
- ^ a b "Moonbase Alpha". NASA. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
- ^ "Moonbase Alpha on Steam". steampowered.com. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
- ^ staff. "Virtual Heroes' Moonbase Alpha Wins Top Serious Gaming Honor at I/ITSEC". Archived from the original on April 3, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
- ^ "Moonbase Alpha review". Gameplanet. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
- ^ "NASA's latest game makes you a network admin… in space!". Geek.com. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
- ^ Moonbase Alpha provides a realistic simulation of life on a natural satellite, retrieved November 14, 2019