Space Colony (video game)

Infobox VG
title = Space Colony


caption=North American boxart
developer = Firefly Studios
publisher = Gathering
designer =
engine =
released=flagicon|USA August 29 2003
flagicon|EU September 26 2003
genre = Real-time strategy, Life simulation
modes = Single player
ratings = ESRB: T (Teen), PEGI: 12+
platforms = PC, Mac OS X
media = CD-ROM
requirements =
input =

"Space Colony" is a PC strategy game developed by Firefly Studios and published by Gathering in 2003. Aspyr Media released a Mac OS X port in 2004.

Gameplay

The basic premise is similar to "The Sims" in that the player has to care for the needs of a several individuals - here each with a unique personality and different abilities. However the game is mission orientated and involves setting up a futuristic base and carrying out missions which involve mining minerals, developing relationships, harvesting resources to prevent running out of oxygen, power, collecting food, and fighting back alien attacks.

Characters

There are about 20 characters in this game.
* Venus Jones - The main character, a generally affable, red-headed woman. She is extremely versatile ability-wise, being able to run oxygen and power facilities, gather plants for nutrition, and the other basic jobs, and extremely effectively, getting 2 or 3 stars for many. She comes from the United States.
* Stig Svensson - Also versatile, but not as skilled. Due to his muscular build, eating is very important to him and increases his happiness more than other factors. He is said to come from Norway however the delvelopers have given him a thick Swedish accent, and his name also indicates that he is from Sweden.
* Tami La Belle - A Texan, with fairly good abilities. Loves chatting with liked base members, but can often become needy and prone to drinking.
*Dean Jefferson Brown - A baseball playing medical student from Los Angeles. He has average skills with 3 stars in medical, and so is the best for the skill. He has an obsession with cleanliness, making personal hygiene very important to him.
* Candy Simpson - Californian . Because her life revolves around shopping, she doesn't do much, as shown by her pitiful ability chart, which only features basic cleaning abilities. For this reason, she often is taught medical skills.
* 'Nailer' McBride - A soccer hooligan with a Scottish accent. Loves exercise, but has average ability area.
*Barbra Leechworth - A motivated sour person who is Blackwater's vice president; her paycheck is her important need. She and Venus are rivals and cannot stand each other.

Bonus campaign

An official [http://www.gamespot.com/pages/gamespace/download.php?pid=914826&sid=6102220&mode=latest bonus campaign] was released in 2004. It has 5 missions and takes place on the planet Cobash.

"Space Colony" minigame

A small 2D action-oriented game called " [http://www.gamershell.com/download_2398.shtml Alien Horde] " was created to promote "Space Colony". Players assume the role of "Space Colony's" leading lady Venus in this minigame. She has to fight back alien attacks and try to rescue "Space Colony's" hard-working Scandinavian biker Stig, plus she has to prevent running out of oxygen. "Alien Horde" is open-ended, and the gameplay becomes more intense with each level. Beside the same setting the gameplay of the minigame has not much in common with the more strategic-oriented gameplay of Space Colony.

Music

"Space Colony's" theme song "You're So Gangsta" was contributed by the electro funk band Chromeo.

External links

* http://www.fireflyworlds.com/sc_index.php Official site
* http://www.spacecolonyfans.net/ Most extensive Space Colony Fan Site
*
* http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/spacecolonyforever/ Space Colony discussion group