Hey, are you into space and sci-fi? Then you likely know the name Neil deGrasse Tyson well. The celebrity astrophysicist is this generation’s designated guy who’s really super into space, although he’s probably most well-known for pointing out when planets turn the wrong way (and other nitpicky minutia) whenever a major new sci-fi movie comes out. Point is, you probably already have your opinions about ol’ Neil, which may affect how excited your are about the following news – Neil deGrasse Tyson is making a video game. Or at least he wants to make a video game.
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The Tyson-backed Space Odyssey recently hit Kickstarter, and is looking for a fairly modest $314,159 (math humor!) Despite that, the game sounds ridiculously ambitious. Here’s a basic rundown:
Space Odyssey: An awe-inspiring gaming experience of galactic exploration and colonization.
With its foundation based in scientifically accurate game-play, you’ll be immersed in biology, chemistry, geo-science, and engineering as you build and explore planetary systems. With Neil deGrasse Tyson as your trusted advisor and cosmic guide, you’ll set out on science-based missions to create, explore, and expand. Develop planets, colonize worlds, nurture species, mine elements, build robots, and discover unique life-forms as you coordinate with others in an intense game of real-time strategy.
Explore New Worlds – Players can also explore galaxies created by other players, including prominent scientists and fictional world-builders like Tyson, Bill Nye, George R.R. Martin, Neil Gaiman, and Peter Beagle.
Metroidvania Style – Players can explore, though access to parts is limited until developing the technology, skills, tools or resources to unlock access.
Machine Learning – An intelligent game where game play decisions directly affect and change the environment and game play for others.
Immersive VR Missions – Space Odyssey will bring exciting, immersive virtual reality special missions to the game.
Pilot Spaceships – Construct your spacecraft, equip it with the tools you’ll need to accomplish challenges and pilot it through friends’ planetary systems, mysterious planets and unknown stars.
So, this game will be a fully scientifically-accurate mashup of Civilization: Beyond Earth, No Man’s Sky, and Metroid? And Tyson expects George R. R. Martin to find the time to build a planet? Oooookay. Listen, I miss old-school “edutainment” games as much as the next 90s kid, and this sounds like a neat, if unfocused, idea, but I don’t see this coming together.
But maybe I’m wrong! I kind of hope I am! As of this writing, Space Odyssey has only raised $110,000 of its goal. If you’d like to chip in, you can do that, right here.
