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Lost Astronaut's Empire in the Sky
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Posted:
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Aug 31, 2012 @ 7:39pm
Mar 1, 2013 @ 8:53am

Would you buy this game if it were available in Steam?

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In 1 collection by Mad Merv
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Lost Astronaut Studios to work with Leap Motion
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Description
Free Alpha Demo: http://desura.com/games/empire-in-the-sky

Empire in the Sky is a sandbox building RPG set in a stylized 1960s retro cartoon universe with blatant and extensive references to NASA and other "Space Race" icons. The year is 2222 and a mysterious intergalactic organization known only as the "Galactic Alliance" has invited humanity to join its interstellar autocracy. Hosted by an equally mysterious collection of super-transient post-corporeal beings known as the "Galactic Review Board", you play the role of your great-great-grandkid as they explore the cosmos and extend the Earthling's fledgling empire.

This is an alpha product, seeking alpha-funding, so it is in an early stage. Help us with an "up" or "yes" vote and a favorite!

  • Much of the data is modeled after real life, so you might even learn something!
  • Travel the cosmos in a fully customizable spacecraft -- designed by you (or us).
  • Fight or befriend scores of alien civilizations in your quest to rule the cosmos, while exploring a rich, procedurally generated world that includes planets, planetary bases, towns, cities and starbases.
  • Build a nearly limitless and vast empire that stretches across hundreds of star systems, on thousands of planets!
  • Empire in the Sky optionally lets you build your own starbases and planetary bases, and enhance your designs by crafting individual spacecraft parts.
  • This is the "lava lamp" of space RPG shooters!

See more videos:
Building 101: Building Weapons and Ships (in HD)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79kNTTZp2uY
Building 102: Making your own starbase (in HD)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSoV0UZRH1A

Currently available as a Free Alpha Demo in the Alphafunding section of Desura:
http://desura.com/games/empire-in-the-sky

You can donate to help this project:
http://lostastronaut.com/empire/preorder.html

See us on GameSpot: http://www.gamespot.com/empire-in-the-sky/videos/empire-in-the-sky-official-trailer-6390632/

Regarding the comments section of this page: you can use this to talk to the designer directly, post comments, suggestions and feature ideas, or feedback, ask for support on the demo, etc., and if he wants to delete something because he doesn't like what you've said, it's his liberty. If you have a piece of constructive criticism, kindly express that in a way that is not insulting. If you are here just to announce you don't like the game - don't bother. Please have manners and courtesy and the same will be extended to you.

Kind regards,
Lost Astronaut Studios

P.S. What should go into a game like this? We have our plans, but want to hear more-- maybe there is something we haven't thought of to put in the game that you absolutely love and want to see in it. We've played a lot of games, haven't we? One user suggested the feature of a "rogue AI", what do you think should be a part of this experience? Send us an idea and we'll consider it for its originality and depth. You can post in the comments below if you have something you think would be a really neat addition. Over the next months, we'll be collecting these, and will put them to a vote for popularity. All submissions that aren't obscene or too expensive to develop will be considered. If yours falls in the top 5, we'll send you a free T-shirt with Lost Astronaut your name and our artwork on it! Expect a vote coming toward the end of the year. All ideas we use will be credited. We'll post here about it in advance so you can tell your friends to help up-vote your idea.
Popular Discussions View All (2)
0
Sep 24, 2012 @ 8:17pm
Mad Merv
109 Comments
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Mighty.Burger™ May 18, 2013 @ 9:42am 
Cool a bit :D
Tzz Apr 14, 2013 @ 6:56pm 
O_O Dafuq did I just watch? O_O
Mad Merv  [author] Apr 13, 2013 @ 11:10am 
The colors picked on starships are up to the players. I don't pick them, there is a palette to choose from. The planets are generated at random. The HUD uses icons, and it also uses a standard color scheme which one day may be configurable. I just feel like you are looking at a lower resolution screenshot and not seeing the actual game which, as I've disclaimed before, shouldn't be judged on its screen shots.
fortuiteer Apr 12, 2013 @ 3:03pm 
I'm sorry about that.
What I tried to say is, visually your game could be improved, if you took either the time to investigate on how to use colors and contrast efficiently, or if you got help from a person with knowledge in "color theory".
I wouldn't assume that experimenting with visual styles is high on your priority list, though. There are probably features more deserving of your attention and time.
Watching the videos felt straining to my eyes, though, which I attribute to your random use of colors.
Mad Merv  [author] Apr 11, 2013 @ 7:45pm 
I'm at a loss. You want me to avoid sci-fi fonts in a science fiction game? What's a "pure color"? You say there are too many 'quarreling colors', yet you want me to add more tones? I'm having some trouble understanding exactly what it is you are trying to suggest.
fortuiteer Mar 28, 2013 @ 10:55am 
I assume that somewhere in this eye-twistingly blurry mess of quarreling colors, geriatric lights, misanthropic fonts and shapes that are desperately searching for a meaning to their existence, is hidden a game.

My recommendation would be some time spent on studying composition, regarding color theory and contrast.
You need to apply either less saturation, more neutral colors or better yet both, to the menus and objects. Try to avoid too many pure colors, add more tones. If you cannot avoid sci-fi fonts, at least try to compensate for people with weak eyesight. Work contrast into your building feature, regarding fore- and background. Use shapes that are intuitively recognizable.

Or better yet, get an artist with a full grasp of all these concepts!
Mad Merv  [author] Mar 24, 2013 @ 7:18pm 
Great! Yeah the Demo has a certain set of features and the videos may be made with something other than the demo. It's still being worked on. But that's good news for us because we now know your machine works with the demo! Thanks
[OTG]Rugmuk Mar 22, 2013 @ 8:39am 
I did build a base, but could not exit my ship like done in the video. I had a ship i built myself thos so might be that i forgot to add something to it to be able to land it or exit it. Will have a look at the readme, Thanks for giving me a few pointers. :)
Mad Merv  [author] Mar 22, 2013 @ 8:02am 
I believe the file README.TXT included may help you with the alpha. You use WASD or ARROWS, the mouse (both left, right, wheel) and there are only a few keyboard commands: SPACE, ENTER, H (hyperspace). To travel to a new star system, for example, click the BLUE STARMAP ICON, then locate a star, click it, then click it a second time and you will hear a "beep" as the map exits. You may now hit "H" to travel. There are also 2 videos posted here that demonstrate the building system. Find them on YouTube with "Building Empire in the Sky"
[OTG]Rugmuk Mar 18, 2013 @ 9:09am 
Either the game is hard to play or i am incredibly stupid. Stil holding my vote until i either get to test it propperly or i give up trying. I dont understand how to do anything, and i cant find any documentation as to how to do things either.