Mars Horizon is a strategy game in which players control a government space agency. Picking between the space agencies of either Europe, Russia, or the United States, the players then control the agency to collaborate or compete in a decades-spanning campaign to expand humanity's reach further into space. With each game an alternate history begins to be shaped and guided by the player's actions, building iconic rockets, probes, and satellites that transmit crucial scientific data back to your customisable Earth HQ, all the while researching, investing in, and bolstering your space flight capabilities.

During the player's version of the space race, perhaps Europe work with Russia, sending satellites into orbit? Could it be that the US get this first satellite into space but that Russia achieves the first moon landing? Who will be best poised to venture to Mars because of learnings from earlier missions? Players will research new tech, expand their agency base, build rockets, send satellites into orbit, and launch a variety of missions throughout the Solar System. The game culminates in the first crewed mission to Mars, setting the stage for humanity to become a multiplanetary species. 

You’re in charge of every element of the journey into space: success rides on your decisions.

Will you push to stay ahead of the other agencies, or focus on testing and research? There are multiple ways to ensure the first person on Mars is under your command. Every choice matters: will you invest in the most advanced technology or take risks in the rush to the red planet?

Using actual events and missions as inspiration, can you handle the challenges faced by real space agencies?

Management is a vital aspect of Mars Horizon. You'll need to design and build the right spacecraft, hire and train the crew, and make strategic decisions as mission control to survive the journey to Mars.

Enter into diplomatic partnerships with other agencies to share the rewards of space exploration, or risk going it alone to gain greater prestige. Construct the ideal rocket from historically-inspired vehicle parts. Hire contractors to construct vehicles and use their unique benefits to gain a key edge over your competitors.

After a long and prosperous voyage originally pioneered by Auroch Digital and The Irregular Corporation, Secret Mode is excited to announce that the original Mars Horizon is returning home to roost, with the publishing rights for the hit space management game transferring over to Secret Mode on all platforms. The change is already reflected on the game’s Steam page, and will follow on all other platforms in due course.  

Meanwhile, attention also turns to Auroch Digital and Secret Mode’s next venture – Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life. Work on the much-anticipated sequel is progressing along at faster-than-light speeds, with new info expected to drop soon. In fact, eagle-eyed astronomer types may have noticed that there’s been a few new tidbits to pore over on the game’s official Steam page.

Check out the latest developer update for more and stay tuned for further updates in the very near future.

Mars Horizon has been made with the input and support of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the UK Space Agency, in the form of a grant plus advice and information on space exploration and the running of an actual space agency for Mars Horizon. From engineers developing the technology used in Mars programmes, to those designing the next generation of missions, bringing an unprecedented level of authenticity, realism and legitimacy to the gameplay and its scenarios.

Auroch Digital are advocates for video games both as entertainment but also as a medium with the power to explore real world issues and ideas. Together with research into real science and engineering in the space industry, the support shown by the UK Space Agency to assist in Mars Horizon's production has elevated and further inspired the development team at Auroch Digital. 

Key Features:

• Create your base with launch pads, research labs, astronaut training facilities, and much more
• Construct your own custom vehicles from hundreds of combinations
• Launch satellites and crewed spacecraft to explore the Solar System
• Run mission control as you solve the various challenges of turn-based missions to earn scientific advancement and public support
• Explore an extensive tech tree and compete or collaborate with other agencies to plot your roadmap to Mars
• Choose from five unique space agencies, each with their own traits, base, vehicles, and spacecraft
• Create your own custom space agency

Mars Horizon is avaiulable for PC (Steam), PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.