In an open-ended gameplay environment, players construct and maintain a self-sustaining deep space habitat, deal with environmental and alien threats, and watch and influence the lives of a diverse crew as they live, work, and attempt to stave off space madness.

"I've been really excited about Spacebase DF-9 ever since it was one of the highest-voted games in our public Amnesia Fortnight game jam last year," said Double Fine president and CEO Tim Schafer. "So excited, in fact, that I decided to launch the team into space until they get it finished, free of the tempting pleasures and distractions of the planet Earth."

"But Tim, the team is going to keep working on this game post-release," said Ron Carmel, president of Indie Fund, one of the game's principal financiers. "If everything goes well, it could be in development for a very long time."

"Exactly!" declared Schafer, who has kind of a weird glint in his eye. "And everyone will be able to watch! It worked great during Amnesia Fortnight, after all."

In addition to Indie Fund, Spacebase DF-9 is being supported by a consortium of independent game studios and luminaries, including Humble Bundle, Hemisphere Games, make all LLC, AppAbove Games, Adam Saltsman, The Behemoth, Morgan Webb, and Rob Reid. 

"The internet connection we have up here is surprisingly great," said Spacebase DF-9 project lead JP LeBreton. "The people of Earth will be able to play the game as it takes shape, give feedback, and tune in for regular progress updates. This line of open communication will also be helpful in case of emergency. Because, seeing as we're in deep space and are not trained astronauts, I actually expect there to be a lot of emergencies."

Spacebase DF-9 was conceived as a prototype project during Amnesia Fortnight 2012, the first public iteration of Double Fine's annual internal game jam. After being greenlit for full production, it was overhauled from the ground up. 

Spacebase DF-9 now features an isometric perspective and newly-developed lighting system, as well as a wealth of other visual improvements. Citizens engage in a rich array of interactions, forming long-term bonds and animosities. A host of new threats faces the player and crew, including pirate invaders, environmental disasters, and unsettling alien creatures. Oxygen and vacuum are modeled in and outside the base, and citizens must contend with airlocks and execute spacewalks to construct new base segments.

"We are all very appreciative of the food and supplies sent by our generous indie benefactors," said LeBreton. "Please, please continue to send food and supplies."

Spacebase DF-9 is a simulation game in ongoing development at Double Fine Productions. The in-progress Alpha version is available right now on Steam Early Access.