Dev Update 02

It’s time for Update 02 and we’re excited to share our progress on Lacuna Passage. In our last update we talked about the switch to Unreal Engine which allows us to create larger landscapes and build accurate maps from terrain data captured by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Let’s start this update with a look at a brand new map.

:: ~~ Drum roll ~~ ::

Candor Chasma
Located in the heart of Valles Marineris, Candor Chasma is the deepest part of a giant canyon system that stretches across Mars. This map in the southwest quadrant of Candor Chasma, lies in a deep valley that is surrounded by harsh 5 kilometer tall canyon walls.



This wind swept terrain will be a challenge for even the most seasoned astronaut. We’ve been working hard to recreate such Martian frontiers so that you can explore them in detail.




Martian Habitats
Survival in harsh environments like Candor Chasma will require reliable habitats. The first humans on Mars won’t have the luxury of pre-built structures to live in. We’re building a brand new set of Habs that follow real constraints of what would be possible in the near future.



We’ve paid close attention to how Martian habitats would be constructed. They’re built from modular pieces that are designed to be packed into a rocket, transported to Mars, and assembled on-site. This also means we can create different habitat layouts for living quarters, research, rover repair and more!

Inside the Hab you'll be able to sip your coffee while shielded from the freezing temperatures and lack of breathable air. You might want to keep an eye on your life support systems to make sure it stays that way.



You’ll notice the airlock has been redesigned. That’s because we needed it to be modular. The new design makes sense for transport to Mars, and allows us to connect the airlock to different types of habitats.


Seamless Environments
As an added bonus to our redesign, you will now enter and exit habitats without any loading screens! This was a design challenge that we tackled head-on because it makes the gameplay a lot smoother and adds some fun possibilities.



Have a look through the Hab window to keep an eye on the weather outside.




Celestial System
We’ve continued to refine the celestial system ( detailed in Update 01 ). Along with planets and moons we’ll now simulate artificial Satellites in orbit, much like the ones in the HiRISE and MRO missions. You’ll be able to use these satellites for navigation & mapping. More details on this as we build out the system.




The Game Plan
We’ve been hard at work building a Mars that’s dynamic and true to reality. As we continue with development, the current store page and older discussions might seem disconnected from the new Lacuna Passage. The store will get a full overhaul once we’re ready to publish the new build. Developer updates will continue to drop every 2 months. The next update will set the launch window for our first playable build. Huge thanks to the community for your feedback, enthusiasm, and patience.

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Footnotes
This last screenshot captures Mars' largest moon Phobos setting over the dunes in Candor Chasma. You can see a silhouette of the canyon wall on the right, which rises up roughly 5 kilometers from the canyon floor.