Take On Mars - Expedition One (Manned Mission)

[dram 14]

@Trase: Cheers! We are really elated you guys are enjoying the new content :) The programming hasn't moved at this point, but will be completed in the future.

@astrospud: As Mistwalker said, the default for grab is actually 'E'. We forgot to update the 3D HUD's default controls text, sorry! It will be updated next week.

[astrospud 1]

Thanks guys! Sorry if the question was asked before. I usually check for similar responses.

Cheers.

[OlympusMons 10]

To address the earlier question, In Steam, I launch "Take On Mars [development]", but when greeted with the loader, I choose "Play Game" not "Developer Mode". However, it still says "Developer Mode" in the to right corner. Funny thing is, I have gotten some achievements (such as 33 hours on Mars) while doing this, but not others (such as researching/launching a Medium Rover for the first time). When I have gotten achievements recently, they always happen right after I saved the game. This could be a coincidence, or could be for a reason. Perhaps I did not get the latter achievement because I had it set up differently without realizing. So really I just want to know what selections do I need to make in Steam and in the Loader to make sure I have achievements turned on?

As for Expedition 1... my only complaint is the controls for the humans are pretty awkward at the moment. They are sluggish to respond (I try to turn 90 degrees and end up turning 120 degrees), and the inverted controls don't really make sense when controlling a human like they would for certain vehicles. I tried to run up the ramp in the sample level and I had to come to a full stop at every corner otherwise I would run right off when trying to turn. Perhaps I just need time to adjust, and I figure actually waking on Mars might not be a piece of cake... but I think controls could use some work.

On an unrelated note, I found out why a while back I was having trouble taking photos with the rovers. I am colourblind, and could not tell there was both red and the green cross-hairs. Also It was never clear to me that I needed to have 3 cross-hairs to make a photo, I had thought 2 was enough. Not saying you need to change the whole colour-scheme or anything, but just letting you know that perhaps other players may have the same trouble. I still have a little trouble making out red vs. green against the martian terrain... but I can manage. It was a big problem when I did not know what It was I was not noticing.

Last - I am a total nerd for Mars with a background in Geology and Geophysics. If by any chance you want any extra help finding interesting facts about Mars to mention when you make a new discovery - I'd be happy to help. Every time the game uses the term "Phylloscilicates" an angel gets its wings.

Edited March 21, 2014 by OlympusMons

[dram 14]

Hello all!

Firstly I would like to start off with an apology. We have been incredibly busy, hence the lack of forum updates, that said with patience comes good things. I have a few screenshots for you guys of many new additions. There is also something big that has been keeping us flooded with work, though more on that in the near future.

I would add that at this point, the project's development has been extended by a further 2 months. This is to allow us the most time possible to tweak, improve and complete the manned mission additions, as well as get a bit of time to fix the bugs in the first section of the campaign, the robotic section, though that is to come later on.

So again, I sincerely apologize for the lack of updates from our end, and ideally this would not happen again. Without further delay, the goodies:

All new 3D Printer model:

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=269068625

Resources implementation (visual debug here). Note each square is 50mx50m, and the height of each column indicates amount of the resource there:

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=269068591

Swimming. Yes, swimming. You can place water volumes in the editor, and note the underwater reading on the HUD:

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=269068548

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=269068578

Manned Landing Module, compared to other vehicles and humans. Note we have also added crouching:

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=269068537

Manned Scout Buggy (WORK IN PROGRESS!), note it is not completely textured yet, but code-wise it is implemented:

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=269068426

Manned Mobile Laboratory. Note that due to this addition we overhauled the character's movement, which is now completely physics-based, meaning that you can walk inside the vehicle while it is in motion. For fun I placed 35 mars astronauts inside and drove off a cliff... Not a pretty sight (Mars Integrated Transport System [TM]!!):

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=269068439

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=269068457

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=269068467

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=269068499

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=269068527

I hope you guys enjoy that. As for updates, we are in the process of preparing the next major update. We have refrained from updates for some time now due to the extensiveness of the changes involved, but fear not, goodies at your doorstep soon!

Martin Melicharek

Take On Mars Project Lead

[rfc 10]

Hello,

it's really good to hear something from developers/BIS again since it has been very quite ... the update looks really awesome!

BUT I've a question, regarding this:

I would add that at this point, the project's development has been extended by a further 2 months.

On Steam, obviously, the game is marked as Early Access. I think it's incredible that you/BIS is constantly adding massive things to TOM. I mean, just consider the manned stuff; nowhere has this have ever been mentioned before the pre-sale last year and it's absolutely free.

BUT. Two months for what exactly? Only the manned module or the whole game .... ?

Because, when I start the game today and try to play the Campaign and stuff, there's still LOTs of things which just isn't properly explained, taught, etc. Without going to either forums (BIS, Steam) it's impossible to even finish the first introduction thing.

So; I'm wondering if that is the general resource timeline available for the whole product or only for a specific part being worked on in the game? If it's the former, I'm suddenly don't have an optimistic feeling about the game feeling polished when no development resource would been dedicated anymore and the game would leave Steams EA.

I hope this post isn't understood in the wrong way. The surprises which have been brought to us through the game are next to none, really :) I'm just a bit concerned ...

thank you!

[dram 14]

Hi rfc,

The extension applies to the project as a whole, so in effect it means 2 months for the manned section and additional time for tweaking/fixing (including the robotic section). There are some things in the robotic section that will be improved even now - for example the landers flying off to waypoints when they should land and so on.

As for tutorials, which are sorely missing, those will of course make it in as well, namely in the form of video tutorials just like in the mission control room. These are left till last to avoid having to redo them constatnly due to changing graphics/functionality.

[felthat 1]

oh snap, i have to get back to this game :3 theres too much games on steam!