Rock Paper Shotgun Astroneer Feed

enMon, 01 Jan 2024 00:01:00 +0000Devolver have bought Astroneer devs System Erahttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/devolver-have-bought-astroneer-devs-system-eraMatt JarvisWed, 01 Nov 2023 18:42:59 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/devolver-have-bought-astroneer-devs-system-eraXbox OneSingle PlayerThird personSimulationDevolver DigitalAction AdventureMultiplayer CooperativeAstroneerFirst personMultiplayer CompetitiveIndiePC

(Formerly) indie developers System Era, known for planet-exploring space sandbox Astroneer, have been acquired by Devolver Digital, known for putting out that offbeat indie game you like, probably.

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Turn Astroneer's chill spacefaring into a hardcore survival nightmare with its custom game modehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/turn-astroneers-chill-spacefaring-into-a-hardcore-survival-nightmare-with-its-custom-game-modeKaan SerinWed, 19 Jul 2023 11:37:41 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/turn-astroneers-chill-spacefaring-into-a-hardcore-survival-nightmare-with-its-custom-game-modeXbox OneSingle PlayerThird personSimulationAction AdventureMultiplayer CooperativeAstroneerFirst personSystem Era SoftworksMultiplayer CompetitiveIndiePC

Space survival explorathons can usually be pretty stressful affairs since, y’know, breathable air can be a finite resource in these environments, and being chomped up by an indescribable horror is never off the table. That’s why Astroneer won me over with its more chilled take on the not-so-chill genre. But for those who enjoy the scary parts of space, Astroneer can now be turned into that hardcore survival experience. Or anything else you want. That’s thanks to the expansive Custom Games Mode update which launched last week - I've been working in Interstellar's timezone, sorry!

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Take one giant chuff for mankind in Astroneer’s rail update, out nowhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/take-one-giant-chuff-for-mankind-in-astroneers-rail-update-out-nowCJ WheelerTue, 12 Jul 2022 10:08:13 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/take-one-giant-chuff-for-mankind-in-astroneers-rail-update-out-nowScience FictionSandboxAstroneerSurvival & CraftingSystem Era SoftworksIndie

Monorail! Humanity’s greatest form of transport after dirigibles and the tuktuk. Space survival sandbox Astroneer has been good enough to plonk in the ability to construct our own railways among the stars in its new free rails update. It looks like a pretty chill addition to an already chilled take on the survival genre, if I’m using my chills correctly. Raise your visor and have a watch for yourself below.

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Astroneer now lets you kickflip across planets on hoverboardshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneers-jet-powered-update-lets-you-kickflip-across-planetsCraig PearsonWed, 23 Jun 2021 15:38:27 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneers-jet-powered-update-lets-you-kickflip-across-planetsIndiescoveryIndieSystem Era SoftworksAstroneer

I might have to return to Astroneer. I played it a lot when it was first released, but drifted away like George Clooney in the movie Gravity. What’s grabbing my attention now, a whole two years after the initial release? They just added hoverboards in a new update. I will now return to it, also like George Clooney in the movie Gravity, but without the terrible twist.

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The 30 best survival games on PChttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-best-survival-games-on-pcEd ThornTue, 17 Nov 2020 16:50:13 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-best-survival-games-on-pcPS3PathologicSingle PlayerNo Man's SkyPlatformerAstroneerFacepunch StudiosPCStudio WildcardAxolot GamesEscape from TarkovFrostpunkTelltale GamesGroundedBestest BestsCodeglueAcid Wizard StudioAction AdventureMinecraftRedbeet InteractiveOxygen Not IncludedThis War of MineEndnight GamesBuka EntertainmentRimWorldMMORPGTextSide viewXbox OnePlayStation VitaGearbox PublishingRe-LogicStarboundStunlock StudiosHeadup GamesChucklefish GamesState of Decay 2Nintendo 3DSThird personValheimRPGThe Long DarkDouble ElevenUnknown WorldsArk: Survival EvolvedAndroidiOSSnail Games USAMultiplayer CompetitiveMacHinterlandBattlestate GamesCoffee Stain PublishingEngine SoftwareIce-Pick LodgeKlei EntertainmentCoffee Stain StudiosThe Indie StoneXbox Game StudiosVirtual RealityRustThe Fun Pimps EntertainmentPS47 Days To DieStrategy: Turn-Based StrategySubnauticaCataclysm: Dark Days AheadXbox 360UnReal WorldHello GamesTerrariaStrategy: Real-Time StrategyDarkwoodProject ZomboidIron Galaxy StudiosDon't StarveAmong TreesBird view / IsometricRaftShooterIndieSimulationNintendo Wii U11 Bit StudiosMultiplayer CooperativePuzzleGMX MediaMeridian4505 GamesNEO ScavengerKenshiFeatureObsidian EntertainmentNintendo SwitchV RisingDeep SilverUndead LabsThe ForestFirst personStrategy

There's never been a better time to get into survival games on PC, as the recent revival of the genre means Steam is now awash in some truly great games, both in early access and in full release. There are more arriving every year, too, which is why we've done the hard work for you and ranked the very best survival games to dive into today. Fair warning - there are some early access games on this list, which mean they might be a little janky early on. Give them the time they deserve, though, and you'll find they often blossom into some truly great games over subsequent updates. We've only included the very best and most complete-feeling survival games on this list, though, so you can rest assured that every game here will leave you hungry for more. It's by no means exhaustive, but it should give you a nice selection of wolf-taming, base-building, carrot-picking action to choose from.

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Astroneer gets industrial with a free Automation updatehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-gets-industrial-with-a-free-automation-updateNatalie ClaytonSun, 28 Jun 2020 15:06:18 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-gets-industrial-with-a-free-automation-updateIndieSystem Era SoftworksAstroneerSimulation

Whether it's making honest-to-god computers out of Minecraft redstone or constructing elaborate rube-goldberg machines in Garry's Mod, it seems unavoidable that any given sandbox game will eventually add complex mechanical systems. Well, now we can add Astroneer to that lineup with this week's Automation update, which lets you sit back on your space lawnchair and let the game do all the busywork for you.

Assuming, of course, you know how to piece together a fully-automated mining, processing, and power production setup.

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Astroneer's Exploration Update blasts off with jetpacks and glowstickshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneers-exploration-update-blasts-off-with-jetpacks-and-glowsticksNatalie ClaytonThu, 05 Sep 2019 16:27:05 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneers-exploration-update-blasts-off-with-jetpacks-and-glowsticksSimulationSystem Era SoftworksAstroneerAction Adventure

We didn't travel the stars just to be stuck on solid ground. Gravity has kept a tight leash on chunky space adventure Astroneer for too long, but that stops now. Alien nasties can't you when you're 30 feet in the air, but gravity sure can. You packed enough fuel to get down safely, right? Last night's update for the adorably brutal space survivor is all about exploration, giving you new tools to take to the skies - and look good doing it.

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Astroneer celebrates Apollo 11 with a time-limited lunar missionhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-celebrates-apollo-11-with-some-real-space-scienceDominic TarasonFri, 19 Jul 2019 16:21:10 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-celebrates-apollo-11-with-some-real-space-scienceSimulationPartyAction AdventureAstroneerSystem Era Softworks

To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar mission, space science 'em up Astroneer has turned its attention a little closer to home in a big update and time-limited event. Available now and running until August 31st, System Era Softworks are sending players to the barren moon of Desolo to search for the NASA lunar lander. Players who discover the old relic will get a chance to pose for a photo opportunity (using its still-functioning TV cameras) and unlock some commemorative goodies. Of course, there's a bit more to the update, as you can see in the video below.

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Astroneer is reaching for the stars in its upcoming jetpack updatehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-jetpack-update-pax-east-2019-previewKatharine CastleTue, 14 May 2019 11:00:02 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-jetpack-update-pax-east-2019-previewSimulationInterviewAstroneerPAX EastSystem Era SoftworksIndieFeature

Space survival craft 'em ups can be pretty grim places, what with the lack of oxygen and constant threat of being eaten alive by the resident fauna and all that, but for some developers there's nowhere more hostile than the mothership from which they all originate. “Throw a dart on Steam,” says Joe Tirado, head communications honcho for Astroneer, “and you could probably hit a bunch of other things [like ours]". It's partly why Astroneer adopted such a bright and bubbly exterior during its run in early access, he adds. Originally, however, it was going to be a very different game indeed.

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Wot I Think: Astroneerhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/wot-i-think-astroneerAlec MeerFri, 01 Mar 2019 14:00:21 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/wot-i-think-astroneerReviewsWot I ThinkAction AdventureAstroneerSystem Era SoftworksFeature

If Peggle-era PopCap (Gawd rest its consumed soul) had survived into the era of survival, I reckon they'd have made something a lot like Astroneer. Where other sci-fi don't-die-'em-ups are soundtracked by the angry buzz of e'er-encroaching death, Astroneer's is all endorphin-inducing rising notes, delightful popping noises and the happy whirr of toylike tractors.

Slowly asphyxiating to death in an unforgiving alien wasteland has never been so joyful.

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Sid Meier's Steam Charts: Sid Meier's Sid Meier's Editionhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/sid-meiers-steam-charts-sid-meiers-sid-meiers-editionJohn WalkerMon, 18 Feb 2019 11:00:53 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/sid-meiers-steam-charts-sid-meiers-sid-meiers-editionPUBG: BattlegroundsMonster Hunter: WorldSid Meier's Civilization 6Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Rise And FallGod Eater 3Action AdventureSid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering StormFar Cry: New DawnAstroneerGrand Theft Auto VSteamThe Witcher 3: Wild HuntFeature

The game you like isn't as good as the game I like. When you like the game you like, you are made to look a fool!

Find out why in this week's Steam Charts.

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Astroneer blasts off and out of early access todayhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-blasts-off-and-out-of-early-access-todayDominic TarasonWed, 06 Feb 2019 17:13:54 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-blasts-off-and-out-of-early-access-todaySimulationSystem Era SoftworksAstroneerAction Adventure

Astroneer has finally escaped the gravitational pull of early access and launched in full. System Era Softworks's survival sandbox stands out from its often-bloody peers by being non-violent, cooperative and scientifically minded. Players aren't pioneers sent to tame foreign lands, but explorers, discovering new alien flora, fauna and environments. Launch has been accompanied by the game's biggest update yet, overhauling the entire seven-world solar system, adding a new tutorial and UI to help ease players into their spacesuits. Study the launch trailer below - gently, please.

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Astroneer takes one giant leap out of early access on February 6thhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-launching-on-august-6thDominic TarasonWed, 14 Nov 2018 22:56:27 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-launching-on-august-6thSimulationSystem Era SoftworksAstroneerAction Adventure

Cute space survival sandbox Astroneer isn't far from the finish line, say developers System Era Softworks, it'll be bounding out of early access in just a few months - February 6th, specifically. The studio have some big plans for the release - the launch version will include a "new exploration-focused adventure", taking you to new planets full of interesting new things to poke around, or be poked by. The launch version will also support cross-play with Xbox One folks, hopefully ensuring a healthy and well oxygenated player-base for a while. A stardate trailer lies below.

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These are the top 100 Steam games of 2017https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/biggest-steam-games-2017Alec MeerTue, 02 Jan 2018 19:00:01 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/biggest-steam-games-2017Borderlands 2HitmanPUBG: BattlegroundsPlanet CoasterPaladinsThe Sims 3The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel UnlimitedThe Elder Scrolls V: SkyrimJust Cause 3NorthgardStardew ValleyKilling Floor 2Hearts of Iron IVGrim DawnArma 3AstroneerFootball Manager 2018CupheadDishonored 2Call of Duty: Black Ops 2Crusader Kings IIFallout 4Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six SiegeDarkest DungeonSid Meier's Civilization 6Age of Empires 2: Definitive EditionWolfenstein II: The New ColossusCounter-Strike: Global OffensiveEuropa Universalis IVOxygen Not IncludedAssassin's Creed OriginsThe Elder Scrolls OnlineRimWorldSouth Park: The Fractured but WholeFootball Manager 2017SteamWarhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IIILeft 4 Dead 2The Binding of Isaac: RebirthFactorioXCOM 2Sid Meier's Civilization VTekken 7Farming Simulator 17Total War: WarhammerEuro Truck Simulator 2Hollow KnightDying LightDead by DaylightArk: Survival EvolvedCities: SkylinesPayday 2Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm RebornThe Witcher 3: Wild HuntMiddle-earth: Shadow of MordorNBA 2k18RustPreyWar ThunderBlack Desert OnlineDon't Starve TogetherWatch Dogs 27 Days To DieGarry's ModWallpaper EngineTeam Fortress 2Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: WildlandsSubnauticaNBA 2K17Divinity: Original Sin 2Rising Storm 2: VietnamDota 2TerrariaTom Clancy's The DivisionRocket LeagueChartsDragon Ball Xenoverse 2Dark Souls IIIStellarisGrand Theft Auto VtheHunter: Call of the WildSenua's Saga: Hellblade IIH1Z1SmiteTotal War: Warhammer IIFor HonorResident Evil 7: BiohazardFriday the 13th: The GameFeatureMiddle-earth: Shadow of WarTales of BerseriaDoomCall of Duty: WWIIEndless Space 2Sniper Elite 4The ForestElite DangerousWarframeNieR: AutomataConan ExilesPath of ExileRise of the Tomb RaiderShadowverse CCG

Another year over, a new one just begun, which means, impossibly, even more games. But what about last year? Which were the games that most people were buying and, more importantly, playing? As is now something of a tradition, Valve have let slip a big ol' breakdown of the most successful titles released on Steam over the past twelve months.

Below is the full, hundred-strong roster, complete with links to our coverage if you want to find out more about any of the games, or simply to marvel at how much seemed to happen in the space of 52 short weeks.

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Astroneer parties like it's Update 199https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-update-199Philippa WarrFri, 18 Aug 2017 11:00:24 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-update-199SimulationSystem Era SoftworksAstroneer

As the song goes, in space no-one can hear you party like it's one-hundred-and-ninety-nine. Which is a shame given update 199 for Astroneer [official site] contains a whole bundle of things. It's not content-heavy/content-at-all-y which I know is a source of frustration for people who are playing it through Early Access. For people like me who pop back in every few months it's fun to see how the development process is moving, though.

In this instance it sounds like developers System Era are making some meaningful changes on the engineering and stability side which is good. If you'd prefer to know about future content stuff skip down to the part about Prototyping, otherwise join me as I get excited about the ability to change the colours of beacons - no longer will I roam the land assuming I'm going in one direction and then realising I confused one identical beacon with another...

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The Top Best Bestest Games Of 2017 So Farhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/best-pc-games-2017RPSTue, 06 Jun 2017 16:00:15 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/best-pc-games-2017PUBG: BattlegroundsHidden FolksCrossCellsTorment: Tides of NumeneraSnake PassCard QuestPreyNorthgardBayonettaBlockbusterDeadly PremonitionMysteriumLoot RascalsWhat Remains of Edith FinchFor HonorUnexploredv r 3Cosmic ExpressPictopixResident Evil 7: BiohazardAstroneerShe Remembered CaterpillarsFuture UnfoldingFeatureA House of Many DoorsStories UntoldYooka-LayleeFlinthookSkyEverythingBRUTEEndless Space 2Alwa's AwakeningDetentionSniper Elite 4CaveblazersBestest BestsOrbLandsRakuenA Normal Lost PhoneDead CellsNieR: AutomataLittle NightmaresPlanescape: Torment: Enhanced EditionNight in the Woods

Update: The year is finished, which means you can now read the final list of our favourite games of 2017.

2017 has already been an extraordinary year for PC games, from both big-name AAA successes to no-name surprise indie smashes. Keeping up with so much that's worth playing is a tough job, but we've got your back. Here is a collection of the games that have rocked the RPS Treehouse so far this year.

We've all picked our favourites, and present them here in alphabetical order so as not to start any fights. You're bound to have a game you'd have wanted to see on the list, so please do add it to the comments below.

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Astroneer devs prioritising dedicated servershttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-roadmap-dedicated-serversPhilippa WarrMon, 05 Jun 2017 16:23:33 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-roadmap-dedicated-serversIndieSystem Era Softworksearly accessAstroneer

Astroneer's [official site] devs have published their game development roadmap. To be clear, there is no road and no map. It's actually a Trello board which explains they are prioritising things like dedicated servers for multiplayer and a new pass of the terrain in general. Fun fact: There is also no map and no road in Astroneer itself. Instead you drive your little rover over whatever terrain you're surrounded by and hope like heck you're heading towards the marker you think you're heading towards.

I just tried to add "roads" to the Trello board but they made it read-only. Maps is in there under Cartography though!

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Astroneer makes explosive hydrazine changehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-hydrazine-explosionPhilippa WarrMon, 08 May 2017 12:09:04 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-hydrazine-explosionIndieSystem Era SoftworksAstroneer

I'm trying to do that thing of staying away from an Early Access game I'm really into so I don't burn out on it before it gets to actual release form. Subnautica is in that bucket, as is Astroneer [official site], although I'm sorely tempted by the latter now I'm writing about exploding hydrazine cans and looking at screenshots as I read the latest patch. STAY STRONG, PIP.

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Astroneer gets colourful with new painting toolshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-paint-terrainAlice O'ConnorWed, 26 Apr 2017 09:56:54 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-paint-terrainIndieSystem Era SoftworksAstroneerSimulation

I did enjoy Pip's tour of her space base in Astroneer [official site] and I'm quite keen to see what she might do after the explore-a-craft-o-sandbox's recent bug early access update. It adds ways to paint terrain, see, along with new ways to shape it. And sure, I guess it overhauls the research system and fixes bugs and blah blah but the point is: spacepaints. Have a look in this trailer for the 'Augments & Research Curve' update:

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Steam Charts: Incumbent Malicehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/top-steam-sellersAlec MeerTue, 31 Jan 2017 11:54:08 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/top-steam-sellersTales of BerseriaPlanet CoasterCounter-Strike: Global OffensiveFor HonorAction AdventureChartsResident Evil 7: BiohazardAstroneerGrand Theft Auto VSteamH1Z1: King of the Kill

Great Odin's beard, it's only the weekly Steam charts! That is to say, the ten games which sold best on Steam last week.

This week: new entries, old favourites, and a very dirty house indeed.

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Steam Charts: The Awakeninghttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-charts-the-awakeningAlec MeerTue, 24 Jan 2017 11:48:01 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-charts-the-awakeningHorrorThe ForestPit PeopleH1Z1: King of the KillPlanet CoasterCounter-Strike: Global OffensiveArk: Survival EvolvedChartsEndless Space 2Resident Evil 7: BiohazardAstroneerGrand Theft Auto VEndless SpaceFeature

Heavens to Murgatroyd, it's only the weekly Steam charts! That is to say, the ten games which sold best on Steam last week.

After a string of backwards-looking weeks, it's beginning to look a lot like 2017 at last.

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Games are best when they ignore youhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/games-are-best-when-they-ignore-youKate GrayWed, 18 Jan 2017 19:00:01 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/games-are-best-when-they-ignore-youSimulationMinecraftOrchids to DuskMu CartographerAstroneerSystem Era SoftworksIndieFeature

Tutorials are a lot like first dates. They’re awkward but necessary, can be a total waste of time, and sometimes there’s a lot more hand-holding than you’d like. It would be best for everyone if we just skipped all that uncomfortable small talk and went straight to the middle part. The good part. Unfortunately, you can’t have a good relationship without getting to know someone first, and you can’t have fun with a game if you don’t understand how to play it.

Or can you?

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Steam Charts: Normal Parametershttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-charts-jan-2017Alec MeerTue, 17 Jan 2017 12:27:14 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-charts-jan-2017The ForestWatch Dogs 2Planet CoasterWallpaper EngineCounter-Strike: Global OffensiveAction AdventureChartsAstroneerGrand Theft Auto VRustH1Z1: King of the KillFeature

Cor blimey, it's only the weekly Steam Charts! As always, these are based on the accumulated sales on Steam over the previous week, not what's doing best for itself at this exact moment in time.

A nice number one this week, but a rather old-fashioned top ten otherwise - with one unexpected aberration.

N.B. there is NO VENGABUS this week. Repeat NO VENGA BUS. It'll return when it is most needed.

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How Astroneer makes crafting funhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-astroneer-makes-crafting-funAlex WiltshireFri, 13 Jan 2017 21:00:41 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-astroneer-makes-crafting-funThe MechanicAction AdventuredesignAstroneerSurvival & CraftingSystem Era SoftworksFeature

This is The Mechanic, where Alex Wiltshire invites developers to discuss the inner workings of their games. This time, Astroneer [official site].

Astroneer is a space game about hoovering up alien materials with a magic gun and listening to them plop into your backpack. And in this Astroneer has cracked something very special in crafting and resource management: it’s actually fun.

Developer System Era Software has put a peculiar focus on how resources are presented and how you manipulate them, and at its centre is an idea that’s surprisingly rare in games:

THE MECHANIC: Resources are physical

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Steam Charts: Do You Want Me To Dance For You?https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/top-steam-games-2017Alec MeerTue, 10 Jan 2017 13:03:35 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/top-steam-games-2017Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six SiegeSid Meier's Civilization 6Planet CoasterCounter-Strike: Global OffensiveArk: Survival EvolvedAction AdventureChartsAstroneerGrand Theft Auto VH1Z1: King of the KillThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

It's the weekly Steam charts! These are the games which sold best on Steam last week. This week, it's the first true chart of 2017, as the last one covered the arse-end of 2016. All change, all change.

I'm even going to do this one upside-down. New year, new rules! And I don't want to spoil the surprise right away.

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You Asked For It: The Steam Charts Returnhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/top-steam-games-january-2017Alec MeerWed, 04 Jan 2017 11:29:56 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/top-steam-games-january-2017DoomPlanet CoasterCounter-Strike: Global OffensiveTom Clancy's The DivisionArk: Survival EvolvedAction AdventureChartsAstroneerGrand Theft Auto VThe Witcher 3: Wild HuntFallout 4

Out with the old, in with the new. By which I mean 'and our weekly Steam Charts, showing the ten games which sold best over the previous week, returns - replete with most of the same names as last year.'

SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT AND NEVER BROUGHT TO MIND?

Welcome back.

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Have You Played... Astroneer?https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/have-you-played-astroneerGraham SmithFri, 23 Dec 2016 15:30:31 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/have-you-played-astroneerHave You PlayedAction AdventureAstroneerSystem Era SoftworksFeature

Have You Played? is an endless stream of game retrospectives. One a day, every day of the year, perhaps for all time. (Apart from the next week and a half while we hide in Horace's warm, warm fur.)

Normally when selecting games for HYP, I favour those that are at least a few years old, so that the suggestion comes as a greater surprise. But Astroneer [official site] is all I've been playing since it was released into early access earlier this month, and it's lovely enough that it deserves more words written about it.

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Welcome to Pip's Astroneer base!https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-basePhilippa WarrTue, 20 Dec 2016 18:05:33 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-baseIndieSystem Era Softworksearly accessAstroneer

Astroneer [official site] is so lovely. It's a really pretty game with this fondness of geometry and at the moment, in its early access phase, it's forgiving enough that I can potter in my sleep-deprived state without getting confused. There are also ace caves to explore and weird plants and ribcages and hostile fungi to find. To explain what I've been up to in the last day or so I've made a video explaining some basics and showcasing my base!

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Steam Charts: That's A Wraphttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-bestsellers-decAlec MeerTue, 20 Dec 2016 12:00:01 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-bestsellers-decJust Cause 3Sid Meier's Civilization 6Planet CoasterCounter-Strike: Global OffensiveTom Clancy's The DivisionSteamAction AdventureChartsAstroneerGrand Theft Auto VSpace Hulk: DeathwingH1Z1: King of the Kill

It's the most wonderful time of the year. It's THE mosssssssst wonderful tiiiiiiiiiiiime ahaahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah I wish I had a machinegun ho ho ho ahahaha, get stuffed 2016.

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Astroneer is survival and crafting without the crufthttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-survival-crafting-without-the-cruftGraham SmithWed, 14 Dec 2016 18:00:00 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-survival-crafting-without-the-cruftearly accessAction AdventureAstroneerSystem Era SoftworksIndieFeature

I drive the short trip back to my base, park my truck close enough to one of the buildings for the cable to attach, and offload the red blob from the back of my buggy. It looks like a thorned vegetable and I plug it into my research station, which is receiving power via cables from the solar panel on the back of my truck. When the research is complete, I will have the knowledge of which resources I need in order for my 3D printer to create a drill head, which I can then attach to a vehicle and use to cut paths through the fully deformable terrain.

Astroneer [official site] is a survive-and-craft game like many others, but it throws out a lot of the cruft and grind. I played it and suddenly it was five hours later, the intervening period a blur of pretty landscapes and achievable goals.

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Astroneer blasts into Early Access, December 16https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-early-access-december-16Philippa WarrMon, 12 Dec 2016 13:15:39 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-early-access-december-16IndieSystem Era SoftworksAstroneer

Astroneer [official site] caught my eye at... GDC? Yes, it was GDC, earlier this year. It's a kind of planetary potterer where you bimble around doing space exploration and terrain reshaping as you search for crafting/trading resources. I remember I rather liked the polygonal art style and figured I'd probably end up with a bulging screenshot folder when I got to playing it. It looks like my screenshots folder should start preparing itself as Astroneers is popping onto Early Access this Friday, 16 December.

This is something which got announced earlier in the year but which I'd forgotten because CHRISTMAS THINGS! until a dev update landed somewhere in my newsfeeds.

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Astroneer Early Access Touching Down In Decemberhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-early-access-touching-down-in-decemberBrendan CaldwellWed, 21 Sep 2016 22:25:55 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-early-access-touching-down-in-decemberNo Man's SkyIndieSystem Era SoftworksAstroneer

We have been cooing at Astroneer [official site] on and off for the past year, its colourful planets, bouncing astronauts and clicky base-building. And although we enjoyed footage of little men bounding across low-poly worlds together and carving out tunnels in the rock with some sort of futuristic matter displacer, we didn’t know exactly when it would come out. Well, we still don’t know. Not exactly. But it will be in December this year, say the developers, hitting Steam and Windows 10 as an early access game. Here’s another trailer they released along with the news.

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Astroneer's Deformable Planets Are Still Prettyhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneers-deformable-planets-are-still-prettyGraham SmithMon, 05 Sep 2016 13:25:17 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneers-deformable-planets-are-still-prettySystem Era SoftworksAstroneerAction Adventure

It's been nearly a year since I last posted about Astroneer, in which I purred with delight at its planetary landscapes, bouncy buggies and spaceships, and the terrain-deforming vaccuum that seems to fuel your creations. Development continues and last week's PAX West brought a short new video.

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Astroneer Trailer Offers Details Of Planetary Survivalhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-trailerGraham SmithThu, 08 Oct 2015 17:00:30 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneer-trailerSystem Era SoftworksAstroneer

Curse my rush to share pretty things. It was only a few days ago that I wrote a post about the attractive GIFs of Astroneer [official site], a game about surviving on another planet by building a base and deforming terrain. Had I know that a trailer would arrive by the end of the week, I might have resisted. Watch it below -

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Astroneer's Planetary Survival Sure Looks Prettyhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneerGraham SmithMon, 05 Oct 2015 15:11:02 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/astroneerSystem Era SoftworksAstroneerAction Adventure

Sometimes game news is that a trailer came out. Sometimes game news is that a game came out. Sometimes game news is just look, look at it, look at the pretty thing, look, look it looks nice, I like how it looks.

Hey look! It's Astroneer [Twitter page], a game about exploring big procedural planets with a dune buggy and a thing that deforms the terrain and look at it look.

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