NASA Releases Videogame, Moonbase Alpha

NASA has abandoned plans to return to the Moon, so with nothing to do they made a video-game.  You can explore the lunar landscape with a free new online game released by the US space agency. The game is called Moonbase Alpha. It allows players to be on a exploration team in a futuristic 3D lunar settlement. [yahoo]

NASA in an explanation of the game said that "In Moonbase Alpha, you assume the exciting role of an astronaut working to further human expansion and research." You have to survive on the settlement with lots of scenarios crippling the life supports equipments of the settlements. The goal is to
restore critical systems and oxygen flow to survive using  interactive command center, lunar rover and mobile robotic repair units. The game is designed to "engage and educate students about agency technologies, job opportunities and the future of space exploration."

This 'First Person Explorer' serious game includes both a single player capability and LAN or internet multiplayer gameplay for up to six active players on a team. Selectable maps will be available for specific player numbers (e.g., 2 player map, 4 player map, etc.).  Each of these maps is represented and tracked individually within the game’s leader boards.planned NASA-based "multiplayer online game project." [MoonbaseAlphaGame.com]

The game is available at MoonbaseAlphaGame.com or click the link  below to download

Moonbase Alpha Download

Minimum System Requirements
•  Win XP SP3
•  2.0+ GHZ Single Core Processor
•  2GB of System RAM
•  NVIDIA 7000-series or ATI Radeon X1900 Video Card
•  2GB of Free Hard Drive Space
•  DirectX 9.0c

Recommended System Requirements
•  Win XP SP3 / Vista / Windows 7
•  2.4+ GHz Dual Core Processor
•  4+ GB of System RAM
•  NVIDIA 9000+ or ATI Radeon 3600+ Video Card
•  5.0 GB of Free Hard Drive Space
•  DirectX 9.0c for XP/Vista
•  DirectX 10 for Windows 7