Sim: Space Station Manager [by Mistaril]

Game Review: Space Station Manager
Release: 2003
Genre: Simulation
Developer: Mistaril
System Requirements: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP, Pentium II, 256 MB of RAM, mouse, sound card, DirectX 8.1 compatible 3D accelerator, 16 MB Video Card
Price: $19.95


Mistaril Games have taken the strategy genre further than ever before, into space in fact. Space Station Manager looks and plays similar to the big strategy titles such as Sim City and the Tycoon series. The object of the Space Station Manager is to grow an earth orbiting space station by adding new modules to existing modules while managing module variables; energy production, heat dissipation, crew size, life support systems, structural design and costs. However the game is mostly centred around the construction aspect and there isn’t much in the way of maintenance options.

This is not your typical “Sid Meir” sim game that has a few simple and limited inter-related economic variables with a single maximum or minimum limit to avoid. No worrying about if the lions are hungry and dieing here.

Space Station Manager’s variables are all linked. By changing one variable, there is a corresponding effect on the remaining variables. Other than costs, each variable has a specific tolerance band to operate in. As an example, if you do not add enough electrical power generating modules, other modules will not operate, if you add too many electrical power generating modules, there is a corresponding need for additional heat dissipation modules and a corresponding need for additional crew and dollars to maintain the added modules. In addition the heat dissipation modules need to be co-located with the heat generating modules.

SSM’s tolerance for errors, like the management of a real space station, is very limited. Once a mistake is made, your ability to recover from the mistake is somewhat restricted. Hopefully you will have more luck operating Space Station Manager than the Russians or the British have had getting to Mars.

The starting module appears to be a Russian Soyuz module. Additional modules are connected to existing modules such as the Soyuz module through the use of hard points. Each module has one or more hard points used to connect to another module. The Soyuz module has two hard points.

SSM’s primary focus is the management of the resources associated with a space station as you add functional building components all of which cost money. Each component has five variables associated with it; Economic, Electrical Power, Thermal Dissipation, Life Support and Crew Module.

Economic
All modules have an initial cost to purchase and install. Each module also has an operating cost associated with it. Some components are even able to generate revenue. Revenue is not able generated unless the component is operational which requires electrical power. If the component is not functional, operational costs still accrue.

Electrical Power
Each component has the ability to generate or use electrical power. Solar panels are typical of components that generate power.

Thermal Dissipation
Thermal energy is required to be dissipated from components. Each component has the ability to generate or dissipate thermal energy. As thermal generating components are added, thermal dissipation components are required to balance the increase in thermal energy.

Life Support
To allow the space station to operate with a crew, life support functions must be operational and capable of handling the load.

Crew Module
A crew is required to operate the facility. Each crew member requires space to live, hence crew modules are required to support the crew.

SSM is able to be played in two modes of play, “Operational Mode” and “Free Building Mode”. SSM comes with eight simulations with assigned goals to obtain within Operational Mode. Operational mode is defined by the flow of time which allows the individual components to produce or use resources. In addition to operational mode, the second mode of play is “free building mode” which allows you t build a space station without the limitation of resources. Free building mode allows the artistic side of the puzzle solvers to surface. At the SSM forums, there is a section dedicated to player created designs, including one as homage to genetic DNA amongst others.

Beyond the included SSM game, there is the SSM community at Mistaril’s website. Not only is the Mistaril forums an excellent place to discuss SSM, but also to view and download player created modules. I would venture to say most if not all the recent conceptual spacecraft for low orbit operation are available as player created modules. In addition there are numerous fanciful creations to check out.

Already there are a few community sites dedicated to SSM. And within the Mistaril forums there are numerous add-on modules for downloading allowing you to create truly unique space station creations.


Graphics: 9
The graphics of SSM are fantastic. The view of the earth from space unlike any other game available. The detail associated with the modules is excellent.

Sound: 8
There is no sound in space. Except the depressurization of your module hull after being impacted by a micro-meteoroid.

Game Play: 9
The solutions to the SSM scenario are more logical than intuitive and therefore require careful planning. SSM is an intellectual endeavor, a quality missing from most games developed today. Construction is very simple as all the different modules fit together with a simple ‘click and connect’ system, and you can build anything anywhere so there are no limitations to how you want your space station to look.

Options: 8
A nice addition is the ability to create your own modules or download them from the net to add to your station, meaning that your space station is only effectively limited by your imagination (and your 3d modelling skills).

Concept: 10
While there are too many run-of-the-mill sim games, there are way to few good sim games. The addition of SSM to the good sim games is a welcomed effort.

Fun: 9
If you enjoy Pontifex-II or other simulation games, SSM will allow you hours of fun. If you are an engineer, like to make airplanes or take apart radios, SSM is also a game for you. If you are looking for a game that is totally different from other games out there, SSM is for you.

One of the great things about strategy games is the relaxation you can get from the detachment from reality and the satisfaction you can get from being totally in control of your creation. Space Station Manager excels in the relaxation aspect, and it’s great to just sit back and watch the Earth spin far beneath you. The Earth is even mapped from actual NASA data, just to add to the realism of the game.

Overall: 8
All in all Space Station Manager is a fun game to play, especially if you are into either strategy games or if you’re interested in space. It offers for the first time the chance to make and manage your very own satellite, and can give an insight into how Space Stations are designed and built in the real world. However, unfortunately there is a distinct lack of features to give the game more depth and durability, but what the game sets out to do it does well, although it might more appropriately be named “Space Station Builder”. Well worth a look though.
Added: March 9th 2004
Reviewer: J. Thrower & R. Spot
Score:
Hits: 7597
Language: english