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Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life News

Mars Horizon 2 is Part of Games Against Living Miserably 2025

[p]Games are great. We all know that. But did you know they can also be great for your head? [/p][p]Running from 8–15 September, to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, we are proud to take part in Games Against Living Miserably 2025 - the event on Steam that celebrates how games can help us unwind, connect, and escape. [/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]It’s presented by Curve Games and the suicide prevention charity, Campaign Against Living Miserably (@thecalmzone). By taking part, we’ve pledged a donation to CALM’s life-saving work. [/p][p]Both Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life and Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 are taking part in this event.[/p][p]So, grab a game (or two) and play your part against suicide. 

Check out Games Against Living Miserably Here.[/p]

🚀Mission Briefing 👩‍🚀Mars Horizon 2 Developer Update #16

[p][/p][h3]Hi Aurochnauts![/h3][p]It's the August Mission Briefing: Developer Update for Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life.[/p][p]Want to talk all things Mars Horizon? Join our Discord to talk to other Mars Horizon and space fans. 🚀[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]👨🏻‍🚀 What have the devs been working on recently? 👨🏻‍🚀 [/h2][p]In our last update, we shared how we've been focusing on improving controller support and exploring new ways for players to move and follow directions, as well as refining the functionality of our missions.[/p][p]This month, we've been working hard on the game's tutorial. For strategy games like Mars Horizon, tutorials are key for helping onboard players and getting them up to speed. Once players have a good grasp of the basics, systems, and controls, they can start experimenting and refining their strategy - a crucial step for winning in the search for life. Everyone learns differently, though, so to make a truly great tutorial, there is a lot of testing, gathering feedback, watching people play, and observing where different players hit a roadblock or how they understand things. The recent playtests with local Bristol game developers have been super helpful in this. We learn so much from seeing fresh approaches to our game![/p][p]During August, we've also been really focusing on something we can't talk about just yet, but we are very excited for players to see soon... 🤫[/p][p][/p][h2][/h2][h2]🤫 Mars Horizon Happenings 🤫[/h2][p]From 20 - 24 August, it was Gamescom in Cologne. Gamescom is the world's largest gaming event and attracts gamers, developers, and publishers from all over the world. Some of the Auroch team were there holding important meetings about our games, including a certain space-themed one.[/p][p]Mars Horizon 1 and 2 are currently part of the "Back to School" Games celebration hosted by Lofi Gaming and Mooncube games. Check out the full celebration here for great deals on some awesome games![/p][p]Lastly, we've got some exciting things to share soon for Mars Horizon. The team is working very hard behind the scenes on something we know our players will love. Make sure to join our Discord or sign up for our mailing list to be the first to hear...[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]📰 Latest space-related news 📰[/h2][p]What's been happening recently in space news? Well, let's take a look! [/p][p][/p][h2]🛰️ Follow Mars Horizon 2 on Socials 🛰️[/h2][p]Don't miss out on the cool content we'll have to share throughout the development journey and some behind-the-scenes looks at what we get up to: 👀[/p][p]Auroch Digital Bluesky Auroch Digital TikTok Auroch Digital Discord[/p]

🚀Mission Briefing 👩‍🚀Mars Horizon 2 Developer Update #15

[p][/p][h3]Hi Aurochnauts![/h3][p]It's the July Mission Briefing: Developer Update for Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life.[/p][p]Make sure you are subscribed to our Mars Horizon Newsletter to get updates direct to your inbox and join our Discord to talk to other Mars Horizon and space fans. 🚀[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]👨🏻‍🚀 What have the devs been working on recently? 👨🏻‍🚀 [/h2][p]Following on from our last update, which covered rocket launches, models for outposts, and UI/UX improvements, our development team have some new updates to share. Here’s Producer on the project, Matthew Holmes (He/Him), to explain more:[/p][p]“The team have been hard at work in a variety of areas of Mars Horizon 2. We’re delighted with the progress we've made and can’t wait for you to see it all come together.[/p][p]We have been implementing new ways for the player to follow directions, and we’ve also been improving the game’s controller support.[/p][p]In addition to these developments, we’ve also been looking at missions and how these evolve for the player. We want to give you some clues here and there for where life may lie, but we want you to discover it for yourself!”[/p][p][/p][h2][/h2][h2]🎮 Playtests Exploring Mars 🎮[/h2][p]Every month, Bristol Indie Developers holds Playtest Party - an opportunity for local game developers to share their game with the public and get valuable feedback.[/p][p]We couldn't pass up on this opportunity and last month we took along Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life for an evening of playtesting and pizza and got so much incredible feedback! [/p][p]If you like the sound of Playtest Party, it takes place on the first Thursday of each month at Martian Lawyers Club. The next session is on August 7th and maybe we'll see you there?[/p][p][/p][h2]📰 Latest space-related news 📰[/h2][p]What's been happening recently in the space news? Well, let's take a look! [/p][p][/p][h2]🛰️ Follow Mars Horizon 2 on Socials 🛰️[/h2][p]Don't miss out on the cool content we'll have to share throughout the development journey and some behind the scenes looks at what we get up to: 👀

Auroch Digital Bluesky Auroch Digital TikTok Auroch Digital Discord[/p]

Mars Horizon 2 is Part of Simfest!

[p][/p][p][/p][h3]Hey Aurochnauts! 🧑🏻‍🚀 [/h3][p] [/p][p]Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life is delighted to be part of Simfest! Running from the 17th of July until the 28th of July, Simfest is a Steam festival celebrating the incredible world of simulation games. 🙌🏻 [/p][p] [/p][p]In addition to Mars Horizon 2, both the original Mars Horizon and Brewmaster: Beer Brewing Simulator will also be part of the event and discounted 70% and 80% respectively for its duration. [/p][p] [/p][p]Be sure to check out Simfest to receive discounts on great games and see what’s next for the simulation genre. [/p][p] [/p][p]Visit the event page here.[/p]

ICYMI: Dangers of the Solar System

[p]The search for life across the Solar System is an exciting journey filled with unexpected twists and turns in Mars Horizon 2. Amongst these unforeseen challenges are the planetary hazards which could seriously hinder your agency’s mission to discover life before your rival agencies.  [/p][p]In this Deep Dive, we will be looking at the various planets and moons you’ll be able to explore, with a special focus on the dangers on each. Hazards damage any ground payload that is caught within them. In the screenshots provided, the red area around the risk highlights the area of effect.   [/p][p][/p]
THE MOON
[p]The Moon’s surface is covered in lunar dust and features mountains, impact craters, and dark maria, which are plains of cooled lava. The Moon does have various hazards you’ll have to watch out for. [/p][p][/p][p]Micrometeorite showers are a medium-sized area of meteorite impact that rain down on your payload if you’re in its vicinity. The shower is static and can appear anywhere. If you do get caught up in it, be sure to get out of the zone as quickly as possible to reduce the amount of damage taken. [/p][p]As you explore more of the surface, you’ll come across canyons, riverbeds, craters, and rock fields which can all damage your payload if not avoided. With the Moon being studied so often throughout the years, space debris is also a hazard, which are the remains payloads which have long since been disabled.[/p][p][/p][carousel][/carousel][p][/p]
MARS
[p]One of the main areas of focus in your search for life is the Red Planet. As one of the four rocky planets of the solar system, you will have to navigate the desert-like terrain to progress your mission. [/p][p]Dust Storms are large storms which move each turn. If you are caught in the storm, be careful where you move your grounded payload to because the storm moves in a direction which is random, so it might be going the same way as you, leading to more damage. [/p][p][/p][p]Not only do storms damage your payload, but it can also spawn the Dust Devil. The Dust Devil is a small tornado which is often left behind by dust storms and this too moves every turn.[/p][p][/p][p]The surface of Mars isn’t just dust, however. There are several hazards which can damage your payload just by passing over them. These include rock fields, canyons, basalt columns, penitentes, and riverbeds. [/p][p][/p][carousel][/carousel][p][/p]
IO
[p]The silicate rock surface of Io features over 400 active volcanoes and 100 mountains, some of which are higher than Mount Everest. With so much elevation, rocks, and volcanoes, players will have to stay on their toes to ensure that their payloads can complete their task at hand. [/p][p]Volcanic eruptions are medium-sized hazards that appear intermittently around volcanos which have just erupted. If you sense a volcano is rumbling, be sure to steer clear or run the risk of taking damage! [/p][p][/p][p]It’s not just the area around a volcano that’s dangerous after an eruption as dust storms also wreak havoc in the wake of a volcanic eruption. [/p][p][/p][p]Eruptions aren’t the only way that the pressure escapes on Io, however. Heat vents can appear anywhere on the map and these small static hazards cook your payloads if they are within their area of impact. Other damaging threats include canyons, rock fields, and basalt columns. [/p][p][/p][carousel][/carousel][p]Everything which can affect your mission on IO isn’t damaging, however. There are impassable natural occurrences such as volcanoes, lava tubes, lava, and mountains.  [/p][p][/p][carousel][/carousel][p]Just a few things to contend with on Io, then. [/p][p][/p]
TITAN
[p]The largest moon of Saturn is primarily composed of ice and rocky material, with a subsurface layer of ammonia-rich liquid. While investigating potential sources of life, players will have to avoid cryo volcanic eruptions. These medium-sized hazards are static and appear intermittently around volcanos.[/p][p][/p][p]You will also have to avoid frost storms, which can appear anywhere and move every turn. Like other storms, you will have to be careful about your next move as they can move to where you’re looking to go![/p][p][/p][p]An umbrella will do you no good as you will have to also avoid acid rain. This is a medium-sized hazard that is static and can appear anywhere on Titan.[/p][p][/p][p]Like most other surfaces you can explore in Mars Horizon 2, Titan features riverbeds, rock fields, craters, and even swamps that can damage your grounded payloads.[/p][carousel][/carousel][p]The impassable terrain on Titan includes cryogenic pools, mountains, and cryovolcanoes.[/p][p][/p][carousel][/carousel][p][/p]
How can you counter hazards?
[p]There will be ways to ensure that payloads can recover from the damage they’ve taken from hazards, so you’ll be able to salvage some of your favourite payloads, should they suffer in your mission. We'll have more information on this going forward, so stay tuned for that. 👀 [/p][p]Want to read more of our Deep Dives? Learn more about the tools you will have at your disposal in our Deep Dive all about Payloads.[/p][p]We hope you enjoyed this overview of hazards in Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life. We can’t wait to share more information on the game with you. Keep watching the skies! ✨[/p][p][/p][carousel][/carousel]