Dark Moon News

Greetings, Space Explorers!

We are excited to announce that Dark Moon is joining the Steam Space Exploration Festival! Add Dark Moon to your wishlist, follow its development, and be the first to know about our progress towards release!

Meanwhile, we are heading out to study the mysterious phenomena that you might encounter while struggling to survive under the harsh lunar conditions!

Today, we want to share some insight on the most complex and unpredictable elements of the mysterious Moon phenomena. Years of human activity on the Earth's satellite, including intensive resource extraction, tunnel drilling, base construction, and various scientific experiments, have led to drastic changes in the lunar environment. These actions, combined with a recent catastrophic solar flare, have made the environment on the Moon not only unpredictable but also extremely dangerous.

Mysterious Lunar Phenomena

The environment on the Moon has grown so inhospitable that surviving on its surface has become a significant challenge. See below for some of the phenomena you will have to face during exploration:

Cold

Extreme drops in temperature can halt any extraction activities. During the worst of freezes, the Excavate function becomes unusable, forcing you to spend additional time on the map before you can proceed. In the worst case scenario, survival should take precedence over mission progress.

Fog (Darkness)

A thick fog enveloping the Moon's surface renders Mechaplex scanning impossible. While other functions remain unaffected, the inability to detect threats or hidden resources can prove deadly.

Electromagnetic Storm

These destructive events freeze all movement on the lunar surface. Your units and vehicles will be immobilized, losing valuable time and health. To survive, you will need to find shelter and wait the whole thing out.



Lightning Storm

During these events, smaller units not bunkered within the Spider will be damaged. On the other hand, the storm charges your energy reserves to full capacity until it subsides, which could be crucial for survival later on.



Meteor Shower

When the sky starts to "rain," Mechaplexes must quickly reach the designated point for evacuation. Every second spent outside during a meteor shower inflicts ever-increasing damage to your units, so speed will be crucial.
For readers with a keen eye: stay tuned, as we are going to share something interesting really soon!



Earthquake

Though brief, these tremors can destroy your buildings and significantly reduce your Spiders' and units' health. Surviving this phenomenon requires not only good preparation, but also quick reaction time.

Dust Storm

This phenomenon will effectively halt your activities, forcing you to wait it out in a safe location, losing precious time when every second could determine the mission's success.



Aura

During this event, you must immediately evacuate with your Mechaplexes to a designated location to avoid severe damage. Random units may be afflicted with radiation sickness, impacting their functioning.



Mechaplex Intelligence and Limitations

Some of these phenomena are so powerful that the Mechaplex's AI may refuse to access certain areas. When that happens, your convoy may have to circle the Moon and attempt to reach said locations on its next pass. This will delay the mission's completion but could also save your units' lives. Survival requires not just strength, but also flexibility and the ability to adapt to ever-changing conditions.

We hope this additional layer of challenge not only enhances your gameplay experience but also sparks reflection on the fragility of life in the face of mysterious lunar phenomena. Prepare yourselves, since the Moon may become even more hostile than ever before.

That is all for now. Thank you for reading, and remember that only those who stay out of the light have a chance to survive on the Dark Moon!


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In the desolate and mysterious landscape of the Moon, where the thin line between survival and oblivion sharpens every day, a group of extraordinary individuals carve out their living. Welcome to the somber world of Dark Moon, where every step on the lunar surface is fraught with danger, secrets, and stories untold. Meet the key figures who will accompany you on this harrowing journey, each bringing their unique talents, histories, and burdens with them.

In Dark Moon, the narrative layer plays a pivotal role in immersing players into a rich, atmospheric experience. Our development team has gone to a great length to craft each character's backstory, motivations, unique needs and skills—all to ensure that they feel like real, complex individuals. Every character is there not only to enhance the game's atmosphere but also influence the unfolding of the plot. Players will find that each of these lunar inhabitants can offer special quests, uniquely impactful to the primary narrative arc. These missions allow for a deeper exploration of the characters' psyches within the overarching story, offering different perspectives and outcomes based on the player's choices. As you engage with these people, their personal journeys will intertwine with your own, ultimately shaping the destiny of the Moon colony and humanity's future among the stars.





Lou. The AI assistant, Eternal Companion Lou, has been serving faithfully since 2072 and the early days of the Moon Shell Corporation. Though outdated by modern standards, Lou's relationship with the player has grown into a deep bond, rendering the very idea of decommissioning him unthinkable. This AI, inherited from one of the very first astropilots, offers a complex array of functions, from scouting the lunar plains for resources to providing vital information about Mechaplex systems. Lou's existence raises poignant questions about robots' emotional capabilities and loyalty, as the player grapples with the notion that this machine may indeed harbor feelings of its own. Lou's role in this lunar saga is indispensable—a bridge between humanity's ambition and the cold, merciless vacuum of space.





Liu Weijun. The Grim Optimizer—or simply "Grim"—Liu Weijun is a 39-year-old Chinese genius, a master of pushing the ceiling of what food production systems can do under the harsh conditions of lunar life. His calm and often detached demeanor masks a mind of unparalleled sharpness, capable of turning barren lunar soil into a bountiful garden. Despite his brilliance, Liu's withdrawn nature and uncompromising standards often alienate the man from his peers. Found amidst the wreckage of a malfunctioning Mechaplex, Liu's encounter with the player reveals a man tormented by his own perceived failures and the short-sightedness of Earth's leaders. His journey on the Moon is not just about survival but redemption, as he seeks to rectify past mistakes and, perhaps, even reunite with his estranged daughter, Hina—a symbol of hope and continuity in Liu's fragmented personal world.





Aiko Saito. The Timid Flower Known as "Hana," Aiko Saito is a 42-year-old ecologist with a gentle soul, whose additional IT skills made her an unlikely candidate for the harsh realities of lunar colonization. Despite initial doubts regarding her suitability for the Moon Rush Project, Aiko's empathy and quick thinking have proven invaluable to the mission. Her idealism is both a strength and a weakness, as she constantly strives to find common ground and protect those around her, even when pragmatism would dictate otherwise. Aiko's journey is one of resilience and hope, driven by her belief in the inherent goodness of people and a deep connection to the lunar landscape she now calls home.





Hina Tsuki. The First Lunarian Hina Tsuki, at just 17, is already a figure of legend—a human born on the Moon, the first of her kind. The girl's very existence is a new milestone for humanity, yet it is shrouded in controversy and intrigue. Born to parents belonging to feuding nations, Hina's life has been a battleground of conflicting ambitions and ideologies. Her father, Liu Weijun, opposed her being born on the Moon, fearing for her well-being, while her mother, Aiko Saito, saw this as a beacon of possibility. Hina's exceptional intelligence and rumored supernatural influence make her a pivotal character in this lunar drama. As the player navigates the treacherous terrain of Dark Moon, Hina becomes both a symbol of humanity's potential and a reminder of its disunion.





Moritz Jung. The Iron Wolf Moritz Jung, or "Hund," is a 44-year-old German entrepreneur with a reputation as cold and relentless as the lunar night. A survivor of a failed assassination attempt, which left him dependent on robotic prosthetics, Jung is a man driven by an insatiable need to conquer new frontiers, both in the realms of commerce and space exploration. His enigmatic past, suspected ties to illegal activities during the Resource Wars, and ruthless business acumen make him a controversial figure. And yet beneath a steely exterior lies a father desperately searching for his daughter, lost amidst the chaos following a powerful solar flare. Jung's story is one of pushing forward against all odds—a man willing to risk everything to protect his legacy and those he holds dear.



In Dark Moon, these characters are more than your colleagues—they are the lifeblood of a narrative steeped in the unknown and the extraordinary. As you, the player, step into this lunar odyssey, remember that every choice shapes not only the fate of these pioneers but also the future of humanity's presence on the Moon. Will you uncover the secrets hidden below the lunar soil and bridge the divides that separate these souls? Or will the endless darkness of space consume them all?




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What could be better than many awesome discounts and a hot announcement of our new upcoming project? We are excited to unveil the launch of our own Summer Sale on Steam! Only until August 2, purchase all 101XP games at the best of prices!

Walk the path from birth until true death in the harsh world of the critically acclaimed narrative-driven RPG—The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante! Be prepared to make difficult choices and answer for your fateful decisions that lead to irreversible consequences.

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Try on the mayor’s suit in the acute social visual novel For the People, where you will sort out your citizens' appeals and uncover political conspiracies.

Or maybe you are into thrilling and atmospheric adventures? Then why not go on a journey through the world of nightmares and grim fairy stories in The Darkest Tales, or search the ruins of post-apocalyptic Japan as a cyber samurai in Blind Fate: Edo no Yami?

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And if you feel like acquiring several games at once—or it just so happens that you already have some of them and are looking to complete your collection—then our lucrative bundle offers will make such a purchase even more cost-effective!



There is also another grand development to report—we have literally just announced a new title in the beloved Life and Suffering universe!

The Life and Suffering of Prince Jerian is a narrative-driven RPG that takes place on the pages of a book, where you will become not just a hero but the heir to the throne of the Blessed Arknian Empire—the seat of power in the world ruled by real and merciless gods. A new life-long journey awaits, full of difficult moral dilemmas, palace intrigue, the search for answers to the mysteries of creation, and heavy choices with far-reaching consequences not only for yourself but your entire Imperial domain.

Wishlist The Life and Suffering of Prince Jerian now!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2936290/The_Life_and_Suffering_of_Prince_Jerian/

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Today, we delve into the myriad dangers our crew faces on the lunar surface. Life on the Moon is fraught with perils, from mechanical failures to psychological stresses, and each day presents new challenges for survival. In this entry, we will explore the most significant threats that endanger our lunar base and its inhabitants. Understanding these dangers is crucial for developing strategies to overcome them and ensuring the safety and success of our mission. Read on to discover the harsh realities of living and working on the Moon.



Diseases: Earthly and Extraterrestrial

The closed environment of the lunar base is a breeding ground for diseases. Regular illnesses, like the common cold or flu, can spread rapidly among the crew due to the confined living quarters. More concerning, however, are the mysterious extraterrestrial illnesses that have begun to appear. These diseases, with unknown origins and symptoms, present a significant challenge to our medical teams, requiring quick isolation and treatment of affected crew members.



Unit and Robot Malfunctions

After solar storm, life on the Moon is filled with peril, and one of the most persistent dangers our crew faces is the malfunctioning of units and robots. These machines are vital for the daily operations of the lunar base, from mining resources to constructing habitats. However, the harsh lunar environment and constant wear and tear lead to frequent breakdowns. When a mining unit or repair robot goes offline, it can halt essential operations and endanger the lives of our crew, forcing them to perform dangerous manual repairs.



Rogue Automated Turrets

Originally designed to protect our bases from meteor showers, automated turrets have become a new threat. Due to a malfunction in their targeting systems, these turrets now mistakenly identify friendly convoys as threats. This has led to several near-catastrophic incidents where supply convoys were attacked. The crew must now carefully navigate these defensive systems, often destroying them, which leaves the base vulnerable to actual meteor impacts.



Work-related Injuries

The Moon's low gravity and unforgiving terrain contribute to a high rate of work-related injuries. Crew members frequently suffer from lost limbs, fractures, abrasions, bleeding, and burns. Each injury not only impacts the physical well-being of the individual but also strains the already limited medical resources. Safety protocols are continually updated, but the unpredictable nature of lunar work means accidents are a constant threat.



Mental Health Issues

Isolation and stress take a heavy toll on the mental health of our crew. Prolonged confinement and the constant pressure to survive have led to various psychological issues. Instances of crew members attacking others, self-harm, arson, sabotage, and even attempts to escape into the vacuum of space have been recorded. Addressing these mental health crises is critical, with regular counseling and mental health support being a top priority.



System Failures and Structural Damage

Our lunar base is not immune to structural damage and system failures. Critical systems on our spider-like rovers often break down, leaving parts of the base without power or air supply. Buildings suffer from micro-meteorite impacts and the constant abrasive lunar dust, which wears down seals and joints. Continuous maintenance is necessary to keep the infrastructure intact and functional.



The Approaching Sun: Solar Storm Threat

One of the most significant threats to our convoys and electronics is the approaching sun, particularly the solar storms it brings. These storms can destroy all electronics with powerful bursts of solar radiation. Our crew must time their expeditions carefully, seeking shelter in the dark parts of the Moon during these solar storms to avoid catastrophic damage to both their equipment and their health.




Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to explore and survive the many dangers of the Dark Moon. Your support and feedback are invaluable as we navigate these challenges together.


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Relay Towns

Once bustling with activity, these industrial hubs were strategically situated at the crossroads of disparate outposts. Their location was not arbitrary; it allowed them to serve as central gathering points for resources, processing them efficiently while offering crucial support to outposts nestled in remote and inaccessible corners of the lunar landscape.

Relay Towns were a hive of productivity, collecting raw materials and transforming them into export-ready goods destined for starports and far-flung outposts. Among the products destined for these outposts were essential life resources, crucial for sustaining operations in the harsh lunar environment. Meanwhile, the processed resources destined for starports were intended for sale on Earth's markets, a testament to the lunar colonies' interconnectedness with the wider economic web.

But now, these once-vital hubs lie silent and abandoned, their machinery stilled by the unyielding grip of the solar storm's aftermath. Where resources were once aggregated and processed, now only echoes of industry remain. Industrial bases, once a bustling center of activity, now stands as a ghostly reminder of a bygone era, its purpose and productivity lost to the ravages of time and catastrophe.

Valley Town is located between two mountain ranges at the entrance of Ocean of Storms. Multiple routes converge at this point on the way to Copernicus Starport, which led to a natural growth of a settlement. It became an industrial centre processing raw resources for the export.

Research Outposts

Various research outposts dotted the lunar surface, established by public and private entities for cutting-edge technologies. With fewer laws and restrictions, these hubs were havens for scientific exploration.

Diverse in their pursuits, from advanced robotics to sustainable energy solutions, they pushed the boundaries of human understanding amidst the desolate lunar landscape. Their presence stood as a testament to humanity's relentless curiosity and ambition. But after the solar storm, these centers of research now stand silent and empty.

The legacy of these outposts, symbols of limitless potential, remains as echoes of a time when the moon was a beacon of scientific exploration, frozen in time amidst the ruins of a shattered future.

An old research facility that was established to study the topological structure of the southern parts of the Moon. Now rather forgotten, although it continues to function on a limited basis

Private Bases

These bases kept their objectives secretive, as private companies and countries sought advantages in the geopolitical scene.

Operating in shadows, their purpose was shrouded in mystery, with each entity striving for an edge in the global power play. Their secrecy was a testament to the high stakes of lunar exploration and the lengths to which entities would go for an advantage.

But now, after the solar storm, these secretive bases remain silent, their hidden agendas lost to the ravages of time.

Kepler crater hosts one of the seven original colonization sites on the Moon. A couple of decades ago, the management of it was given solely to Europen Union Space Agency, which is currently dominated mostly by German staff.


Follow the links to read the previous posts:
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1105330/view/4170972198124086562
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1105330/view/4170972198124608246
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1105330/view/4170972198124650069


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