Japanese developer historia has launched its space simulator game, Real Moon, on December 16, available for free on Steam with support for the English language. This title, developed in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), aims to provide players with a realistic lunar exploration experience utilizing Unreal Engine 5.
Real Moon draws upon actual scientific research and data concerning moon topography, the distribution of craters and rocks, and the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. This commitment to authenticity results in an explorable lunar environment that mirrors the real surface of the Moon.
In the game, players assume the role of an astronaut tasked with locating a specific area on the Moon, guided only by a photograph left behind by a probe. Users can either traverse the Moon’s surface on foot or hop onto a rover to search for the correct coordinates. The gameplay loop lasts approximately 15 to 30 minutes, allowing players to experience the Moon’s terrain in a manageable time frame.
In addition to the primary gameplay mode, Real Moon features a Free Mode, which offers players the ability to control time and place objects such as rockets, flags, balls, and lights. This mode permits unrestricted exploration of the lunar surface, enabling players to witness the Sun setting, observe the changing dynamics of light and shadow, and capture photographs of the environment.
This intriguing project represents just a segment of historia’s broader collaboration with JAXA, which seeks to bridge the gap between video game technology and the space industry. According to developers, “We’ve created a fully comprehensive lunar simulation that reproduces a wide area of the lunar landscape in great detail, including simulated physics. We aim to use this environment for various other applications in the future, including lunar rover operation simulations.” This partnership not only enhances game design but also contributes to advancements in space environment reproduction technology.
Real Moon is now available on PC through Steam, providing an immersive and educational experience that could inspire future generations interested in space exploration and scientific inquiry. The game’s realistic approach and free accessibility may attract a diverse audience, from casual gamers to space enthusiasts, reinforcing the potential for the intersection of gaming and scientific research.
