Full Sail grads seek Steam listing for Mars video game

One of Orlandos newest homegrown video games, PeriAreion, has a very Central Florida theme: Mars colonization.

Three masters degree graduates from Full Sail University built the 3D strategy game, called PeriAreion. They have had a successful KickStarter campaign to raise $6,000, and are now on the verge of having the game listed on the popular gaming website Steam Greenlight for independent developers.

We were partly inspired by the mission to Mars that NASA is planning, said Erica Holcomb, producer and lead designer on the game.

PeriAreion was created by Orlando-based TBA Games, which includes Holcomb; Cameron Bolinger, lead programmer; and Joseph Arcidiacono, lead writer and promotion coordinator.

The game is already for sale on its own website for $14.99, for Mac and PC.

PeriAreion isnt the first Mars colony game, but it has some unique challenges. It also offers a lot of documented science and current technology regarding space travel and Mars.

At certain stages of play, you unlock notes about Mars exploration facts and illustrations, Bolinger said. We only used current peer-reviewed science, but it is aimed a junior high audience, so it can be a legitimate education tool.

Players are in charge of a mission that has just landed on Mars, starting with a small spaceship module.

The goal is to build and manage the first sustainable extraterrestrial colony. There are no enemies except the hostile environment.

Players must mine minerals, construct food modules to harvest plants, overcome illness and storms, and eventually build out their base. There are three possible landing sites, and three difficulty levels.

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Full Sail grads seek Steam listing for Mars video game