Buzz Aldrin's SPM

[Jarhead0331]

Anybody plan on getting on this? I belve it goes retail today. I know they had an early access program, but seems like they have added a lot of features since that program ended. Anybody who got it during EA have any thoughts?

[tgb]

I bought it when the beta became available a year ago, and it's a very different game today.  If not for feedback from early adapters, there would be no US-Soviet space race in the game and you wouldn't be able to mix and match rockets and capsules.

My memory of the original may be a little faulty, but it seems like a good successor to BARIS.  In some ways more user-friendly (more feedback, you no longer have to worry about astronauts who share a mission liking each other, the campaign now give you a list of milestones you have to hit before the first moon landing can be attempted) and in others ways deeper (Astronauts, researchers, and mission control personnel are all rated for age, pay grade, intelligence and morale, and have scores for 5 different areas of expertise, which can be improved through advanced training.  Mission control personnel are now assigned to specific positions, and if there is a mid-mission problem  will attempt to correct it).

There's also no FMV.

I can't comment on the AI since it's been several builds since I played it and I just finished downloading the Steam version.  There are plenty of gameplay videos up on Youtube, including the developer livestream from earlier in the week.

[bboyer66]

 Looks interesting, but I have barely scratched the surface of Kerbal space program. Awaiting to hear the inevitable comparisons before I buy.

[Jarhead0331]

I would imagine that SPM has very little in common with KSP, other than the fact that they both focus on space. KSP is certainly a spectacular game they sets the bar high for any game that may draw a comparison to it.

[tgb]

BASPM is more of an economic/management sim.  There's no hands-on flight control or design of rockets.  Instead you are controlling which programs get opened, how much research each component might get, management of astronauts/scientists/mission personnel, when it's safe to launch, etc. 

And the failures aren't played for laughs.

[bboyer66]

BASPM is more of an economic/management sim.  There's no hands-on flight control or design of rockets.  Instead you are controlling which programs get opened, how much research each component might get, management of astronauts/scientists/mission personnel, when it's safe to launch, etc. 

And the failures aren't played for laughs.

Think that is kind of the direction Kerbal is headed in with the latest patch "Economic Boom". Not just about rocket design, but more about program management.

[Boggit]

Slitherine Press Announcement

For Immediate Release

Roger, all systems are "go."
Space Program Manager is deployed in orbit today!         
                     
Epsom, UK – October 31, 2014.

"The biggest benefit of Apollo was the inspiration it gave to a growing generation to get into science and aerospace." (Buzz Aldrin – US astronaut, member of Apollo 11 mission)

Until the very last minute, the brilliant engineers from Polar Motion have been working on the quality and the reliability of the components. Now that the rocket is on the launch pad with its engine firing, they feel slightly nervous. A 7-year game project is finally coming to its end. "T minus 10" announces the flight controller from Slitherine. The tension is rising a bit more in the control tower. And suddenly the sound of the rocket covers everything else and the spaceship rises quickly into the air. Trajectory is perfect, all indicators are on green, and every member of the program can breathe normally again. So far, the mission is a success!

Indeed, today we are excited to announce that Buzz Aldrin's Space Program Manager is finally released and available on both our online stores and on Steam!

In this game, focused on the history of space exploration, the players are taking on the role of a space agency director. By opening programs, launching missions, allocating the right financial and human resources to the programs available, they help humanity to boldly go a step further in the solar system. But space is only one more place in the universe to defy your enemy. Indeed both fans of management and competitive games will have a blast playing the Cold War campaign in which both US and Soviet factions are engaged to be the first to place their flag on the surface of the Moon!

Following an intense and satisfying early-access period, Buzz Aldrin's Space Program Manager has been designed in direct cooperation with the community, taking ideas from the fans and implementing them as new features. This includes the addition of the Soviet Space Agency, as well as the often requested multiplayer modes.It is thanks to the early adopters that we have been able to make the most of the game and we thank them all for their input. Obviously the contribution of Buzz Aldrin himself is beyond compare. As an engineer, pilot and astronaut, he delivered extremely precious advice to the developers to help them designing an immersive and realistic game about the conquest of space!

We are offering a $10 discount to the early adopters during the week of the launch! We are also going to offer a free Steam key to anyone who bought a copy of the game from the Matrix Games or Slitherine store, once the game is available on this digital platform!

Last but not least every player who buys the game before November 30th will be able to enter a competition and win awesome prizes like a trip to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida!

Get more information on Buzz Aldrin's Space Program Manager from its official mini-site http://spm.slitherine.com/ and its fancy launch trailer http://youtu.be/9dR9HXj4zGE 

Slitherine is part of the Slitherine Group
About the Slitherine Group

The Slitherine Group is the world's leading producer and publisher of digital wargames and strategy games. Under the Slitherine (www.slitherine.com), Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and Ageod (www.ageod.com) brands it has published literally hundreds of games, with many award-winning titles in its portfolio and spanning all digital platforms, from home consoles to modern Smartphone's and Tablets. Slitherine is also involved with book publishing, board gaming and works with a wide array of key licensing partners, such as HISTORY®, MILITARY HISTORY®, Games Workshop®, Horrible Histories™, Showtime, BBC, Osprey, Scholastic, Buzz Aldrin Enterprises and many others to deliver the best blend of historical accuracy in an exciting and entertaining way. Together the Group companies form the world's largest organization specializing in this important and vibrant niche. The Slitherine Group's mission over the coming years is to lead the way in innovation and growth in an ever expanding segment of the entertainment industry.

[Boggit]

I'll give Ignacio the heads up on this. He's best placed to answer any questions on the game. :)

[bbmike]

HistoricalGamer posted a nice early access AAR here. The game is much improved since then.

[bayonetbrant]

topics merged

[Coiler]

Is this game as ridiculously hard as BARIS?

[Nacho]

Hello all,

Developer of SPM here  :)

Looks interesting, but I have barely scratched the surface of Kerbal space program. Awaiting to hear the inevitable comparisons before I buy.

They are totally different games, really. The only thing we share is (partially) the name and the setting. SPM is about management, the Cold War and real space missions. You don't design and fly your rockets. Instead, you allocate resources the best you can and hope everything will turn out fine. If you like the subject, both KSP and SPM should be on your hard-drive  ;)

Is this game as ridiculously hard as BARIS?

We did quite a bunch of playtesting during the Early Access and, while it's not a walk in the park, the game provides a considerable challenge. The fact that your flight controllers kick in when something goes wrong during a mission certainly gives you more control than the original game, where success only depended on your mission components.

Please let me know if you have further questions!

Hope you like the game.

Cheers,

--Ignacio Liverotti

[tgb]

Pretty good Let's Play

[RooksBailey]

I have to say this looks pretty darn good.  I haven't been following it since it was announced, but what seems to have come out of EA seems pretty interesting.  Seeing the $19 price tag, I am tempted to give it a try. 

If anyone has played it: how is the replayability? That is my only concern.   

[JasonPratt]

Did I buy this game this morning? AMEN! 

If it's like the original BARIS at all, it should have quite decent replayability; moreso now because the missions have been greatly expanded from Saturn back to the Sun.