SpaceVenture - Space Quest spiritual successor by Two Guys from Andromeda - now on Steam Early Access

[Infinitron]

Finally on Steam:



https://www.kickstarter.com/project...re-by-the-creators-of-space-que/posts/4272657

SpaceVenture v2 about to go into backer beta testing!​

Hello everyone!
We’re excited to bring you a new update about SpaceVenture v2 and its upcoming release plans. First off, this update will make much more sense if you’ve read our previous Kickstarter update. If you haven’t done so yet, we highly recommend checking it out. You can visit [THIS LINK] to read it.
In our previous update, we outlined the various phases of our plans to release SpaceVenture v2:

• PHASE 1: Transition SpaceVenture to the latest version of Unity
• PHASE 2: Conduct multiple full rounds of QA testing and bug fixing
• PHASE 3: Test the game with our backer beta testers (those who pledged $30 and up)
• PHASE 4: Release SpaceVenture v2 to all backers who pledged $15 and up

During Phase 2, we spent months testing the game, completing four separate build iterations with our QA play testers. Over this period, we made hundreds of fixes and improvements to the game. A huge help during this phase came from Unity itself. They generously offered their expertise, with two of their senior developers dedicating three evenings (three hours each) to assist us. Their help was invaluable in resolving performance issues and tackling some of the trickier problems we faced. A big thanks to Unity for their support!
We’re now officially ready for Phase 3, where we’ll be releasing a copy of SpaceVenture v2 to our backer beta testers (those who pledged $30 and up). We completely understand if you’re no longer interested in participating or simply don’t have the time. For those of you who are interested, we’d like to walk you through the details of this process in the next part of this update.

TAKING PART IN THE BETA TESTING PROCESS​

Within the next two weeks (ideally sooner), we plan to send out beta keys through the itch.io platform. This email will include everything you need to access the beta.
VERY IMPORTANT:
Please ensure your email address is up to date on Kickstarter. It’s crucial that your email is current so you don’t miss our instructions for downloading the beta.
The email will include:

• Itch.io access to SpaceVenture v2
• Details on how to report bugs
• A list of the specific types of feedback and bug information we’re looking for

Once the beta testing process begins with our backer beta testers, we’re not entirely sure how long it will take to address the issues that are found. However, we’re optimistic that this phase won’t take too long.
As soon as beta testing is complete, we’ll move forward with the public release. We plan to first release the Windows version of the game to all Kickstarter backers who pledged $15 and up. After that, we’ll release the game on Steam—which brings us to the next topic.

RELEASING SPACEVENTURE ON STEAM​

We’re excited to share that we’ve officially set up a Steam page for the game, and we need your help!
As you may know, when a game is gearing up for release on Steam, there’s an “Add to Wishlist” button. When people click this button, it not only shows excitement for the game but also boosts its visibility when it goes live.
We would absolutely love and appreciate it if you could take a moment to visit the game’s Steam page and click “Add to Wishlist.” While all backers who pledged $15 and up will already receive Steam keys for the game upon its official release, wishlisting the game on your Steam account would still help us tremendously. Your support makes a huge difference in ensuring the game reaches a wider audience!
STEAM LINK: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1374960/SpaceVenture/

GAME IMPROVEMENTS (BESIDES BUG FIXES)​

MORE DEATHS​

For those Space Quest fans who always enjoyed the creative death sequences in the games, we’ve got you covered! Over the past few months, we’ve added even more unique and entertaining ways for your character to meet their demise in the game.

“THE BAD ENDING”​

During the final showdown, there’s a fun way to lose the game that unlocks a special “Bad Ending.” But don’t worry—it serves as a checkpoint, allowing you to jump back into the action, beat the game, and experience the real ending. It’s a little bonus for those who like to explore every possibility!

CONTINUE BUTTON​

We’ve made a significant improvement to the save/load system to make gameplay more convenient.
As you may already know, SpaceVenture autosaves the state of each scene when you enter it. This works as a built-in autosave system in addition to the manual saves you can create.
Here’s what’s new: when you exit the game, you’ll now see a “Continue” button on the main menu when you return. Clicking this button will take you directly to your most recent autosave. This eliminates the need to navigate through the save/load menu, making it faster and easier to jump back into the game.

SKIP CUTSCENE BUTTON​

Player feedback from SpaceVenture v1 highlighted some issues with the cutscene skipping feature. We’ve completely overhauled the system to fix these intermittent problems and make skipping cutscenes smoother and more intuitive.
Here’s how the new system works:

• By default, cutscene skipping is disabled for most cutscenes to ensure new players can enjoy them without accidentally skipping.
• For players who want to skip cutscenes, you can now open Ace’s PDA menu and enable a checkbox. Checking this box will activate the skip button permanently (unless you choose to uncheck it).
• Even with the skip option enabled, cutscenes will play as usual, but you’ll have the option to skip them whenever you wish.

This revamped system gives players full control over their experience while ensuring smoother gameplay for everyone.

NEWS ON BACKER REWARDS​

The details about physical rewards remain the same as we’ve mentioned over the past few months. As previously stated, we have most of the physical rewards in our possession but currently lack the funds to ship them. Here’s a reminder of our plan:

• Revenue from game sales on Steam and other platforms will be used to cover the cost of shipping the physical rewards to everyone.
• For those of you wondering if it would be possible to pay for shipping yourself to receive your backer rewards sooner, we plan to offer this option in the future and will provide more details when it becomes available.
• Please do not email us your mailing address at this time. When we’re ready, we’ll send out a survey via Kickstarter to collect updated mailing information from you.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work toward fulfilling these rewards. Stay tuned for updates!

ROOTER PAPERCRAFT PDF​

One of the backer rewards offered during our Kickstarter campaign was the “Printable PDF Foldout 'Rooter' Designed by Mark.” We’re thrilled to share that Mark has been hard at work on this, creating something fun that we think you’ll absolutely love!
This reward features a papercraft version of Rooter that you can print, cut out, and fold into shape. What makes it even more exciting is the clever illusion Mark has incorporated: as you move around, Rooter’s head appears to turn toward you.
Check out this video showcasing what Mark has created so far—we can’t wait for you to see it in action!

PHYSICAL COPIES OF THE SPACEVENTURE ARTBOOK​

In the past, we showcased a little of the digital version of the SpaceVenture artbook that Mark put together. Well I’m excited to say that we finally got our hands on physical copies of it as well. Here is a photo that gives a look at what the hard copy of the artbook is like.

YOUR GAME BOXES SIGNED BY MARK AND SCOTT​

For those of you who backed at the level to have your game boxes signed by Mark and Scott, we’re excited to share that we’re planning to make this happen in the next few months. Here are the details:

• Mark and Scott don’t live near each other, so we need to be strategic in arranging a single session to complete all the signings at once.
• Currently, we’re planning for this to take place either at the end of February 2025 or sometime in March 2025. The dates are subject to change, but that is our plan as of right now.
• Once we have a confirmed date, we’ll email all eligible backers with mailing instructions. You’ll have at least 30 days to send your Space Quest game boxes (or box sleeves) to the address we provide.
• During this session, we’ll also have other SpaceVenture-related items signed, as promised.

We plan to capture the event with photos and possibly some video, which we’ll share with everyone afterward.

IN CONCLUSION​

• SpaceVenture v2 backer beta testing is about to begin! Make sure your email address is up to date on Kickstarter. Keep an eye out for an email from us over the next week with all the details.
• Visit our Steam page and click the “Add to Wishlist” button—we’d greatly appreciate your support!
• We’ll share information about the full release of the game as soon as backer beta testing is complete.
• Don’t send us your mailing address regarding physical rewards just yet. We’ll let you know when it’s time to provide that information.
• For those shipping game boxes to be signed by Mark and Scott, you’ll receive an email from us with instructions on where to send your boxes when the time comes.

PROJECTS WE RECOMMEND:​

Legends of Adventure: The Story of Sierra On-Line
The Legends of Adventure: The Story of Sierra On-Line documentary is going full throttle. They have a big announcement coming up on Monday December 23rd! So be sure to check out the below link for details!

Check it out on @BackerKit and be part of preserving gaming history! thelegendsofadventure.com

KEN AND ROBERTA WILLIAMS / CYGNUS HAVE RELEASED COLOSSAL CAVE​

Get it now on all the following platforms and locations!

• Nintendo Switch
• Epic Games
• MetaQuest
• XBOX
• Steam
• Steam VR
• Amazon
• GOG
• Playstation 4
• PlayStation 5
• Playstation VR2
• SIDEQUEST
• iOS
• Humblebundle
• Pico 4
• Limited Run

 

[Tweed]

Giant space nothingburger.

 

[Taxnomore]

They can entirely fix it ; it will still be the same game.

 

[Fronzel Neekburm]

coming to Steam on February

Thread title is FAKE NEWS!

However, the new release date doesn't inspire much confidence either...

 

[Taluntain]

Ha ha, good one.

 

[Infinitron]

It's Early Access now too:

Why Early Access?​

“We’re launching in early access to hear from players and fine-tune the game ahead of its official debut.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?​

“The current plan is to have a full release by summer 2025, but this may move back if feedback from the community is extensive.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?​

“The Early Access version offers a cohesive adventure game experience and story (detailed in the "About This Game" section), however we plan on adjusting and adding some major functionality. There are some key gameplay sequences that are only partially implemented at this stage, and you may experience some technical bugs or in-game issues that we're planning to address before the full release. We also plan on integrating more voice-over and other audio content to enhance the overall experience, as some elements are currently missing or using placeholders. We'd like to refine core game mechanics, expand interactions in environments, improve NPC behavior, and add any community recommendations that will improve the game experience for everyone.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?​

“The current build provides players with the full adventure from start to finish, and some fun Easter Eggs to discover along the way. For a full list of the current features, please review the "About This Game" section of the page.”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?​

“The price will increase upon final release, however we will always give players ample warning before we make any price changes.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?​

“The community feedback and suggestions will help shape the final revisions of the game, and private beta builds will be provided to individuals that regularly help our progress with their feedback.”

 

[Unkillable Cat]

Remind me again, will this game be available outside of Steam at some point?

 

[JarlFrank]

Is this screenshot a metaphor for the game and its development?

 

[Blaine]

I was born in 1982, and during the early 1990s, Space Quest and Quest for Glory were pretty much my favorite things. I considered Mark Crowe and Scott Murphy to be big celebrities. I've come to realize that a big part of the appeal for me was the mystique of jokes and pop-culture references (written, essentially, for cosmopolitan adults) that a rural kid like me couldn't possibly understand.

Well, now I understand it all. I know who Crosby, Stills, and Nash are (one of the references in SQVI, I believe), I know that Polysorbate 60 is an industrial chemical, etc. So the mystique is gone, the Two Guys are out-of-touch has-beens, and they seem to lack the necessary technical and creative support that they so badly need, et cetera and so on....

It's just sad.

 

[Yaar Podshipnik]

Space Quest II was an extremely important game for me. When I started playing, I knew just a couple of English words. When I was done with it (not sure if I actually managed to complete it, most likely not, but got pretty far), my vocabulary was probably closer to 800, and some grammar structures were burned in, if not fully understood.
The copy I had fell off the truck, but was bundled with a lovely wordlist.txt file, that had the list of all the words the parser could understand. Combined with a nice Polish-English dictionary, and a tenacity and copious free time that only an 11 year old can have resulted in major progress learning the language.
At that time I really thought SQII, and its creators, were the best things on PC.

Just as Blaine has said above, playing Spaceventure just made me sad, and, to some degree, tarnished the good memories.

 

[Infinitron]

 

[Infinitron]

https://www.kickstarter.com/project...re-by-the-creators-of-space-que/posts/4278390

SpaceVenture v2 about to go into early release on Steam!​

We have some exciting news to share regarding the progress of SpaceVenture!

Before diving into the latest developments, we highly encourage you to read our previous Kickstarter update, as it provides important context for what’s ahead. If you haven’t done so yet, you can find it HERE.

Over the past few months, our team has been hard at work moving through several key development phases:

• Phase 1: Transitioning SpaceVenture to the latest version of Unity
• Phase 2: Conducting multiple full rounds of QA testing and bug fixing
• Phase 3: Testing the game with our beta backers (those who pledged $30 and above)
• Phase 4: Releasing SpaceVenture v2 to all backers who pledged $15 and above

In our last update, we shared that we had just entered Phase 3. We’re excited to report that we’re now nearing completion of the beta testing phase and preparing to move into Phase 4—the official release to all eligible backers!

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in the beta testing process. Your feedback has been incredibly valuable in helping us identify bugs and improve gameplay. Thanks to your reports and support, we’ve been able to make SpaceVenture better than ever.

VERY IMPORTANT. PLEASE READ THIS​

We've received reports that some backers did not receive our recent emails regarding the SpaceVenture beta download. After looking into the issue, it appears that our messages may have been filtered into spam or junk folders by certain email providers.

To ensure you don’t miss out on important updates—especially reward distribution details—it’s essential that you add our email address to your safe sender list as soon as possible.

Please note: Kickstarter does not allow us to distribute items like Steam keys or digital rewards directly through their platform. All such communication and delivery must be done via email.

Make sure to whitelist the following email address:

Adding us to your safe list will help ensure you receive all future updates, rewards, and critical information related to your pledge.

SPACEVENTURE IS ABOUT TO BE ON STEAM​

Please help us get the word out now by visiting the Steam page and clicking the “ADD TO WISH LIST” button



We are now at a place where we are ready to do an “Early Release” version of SpaceVenture on Steam. We are shooting for doing this on April 1st! If everything goes smoothly with Steam accepting the build, then that will be the date that the game will be released. Else, we will fix anything that they need us to fix, and the game will show up as soon as that is done.

Once SpaceVenture goes live on Steam, we will be getting everything together for sending out Steam codes to all $15 and up backers. If everything goes smoothly, that will happen on the day the game goes live (in Early Release) on Steam. If not, we’ll work it out and get the codes in your hands ASAP. We will also be getting you all access to the DRM free version of the game as well.

What can you expect out of the Early Access version of SpaceVenture?

• The Early Access version offers a cohesive adventure game experience and story that is playable from start to finish, containing the vast majority of the original vision for SpaceVenture
• We will continue to adjust some of the functionality of the game as we progress to the full release
• There are some gameplay sequences such as the Cluck Yegger Facebox mini game that is only partly in SpaceVenture. We do plan to allow for the full game play experience eventually, however this will always be skippable and not a requirement for completing the game.
• There will most likely still be some bugs that we are trying to work out along the way, so that should be expected, but considering the many rounds of beta testing we’ve been through, these should be minor.
• We are still adding some lines of VO that never got hooked up in earlier builds of the game, as well as some missing SFX
• We also would like to improve game mechanics, expand interactions in the various game environments as well as improve NPC behaviors throughout this process as well.

How long will this game be in Early Access?

The current plan is to have a full release by summer 2025, but this may move back if feedback from the community is extensive.

As we get SpaceVenture into Steam as early access, we plan to do our best to put the rest of the finishing touches as mentioned above. Once those are done, we will do the full release. After the full release of the game, we plan to begin working on ports. We will focus on the Macintosh and Linux versions first.

NEWS ON BACKER REWARDS​

The details about physical rewards remain the same as we’ve mentioned over the past few months. As previously stated, we have physical rewards in our possession but currently lack the funds to ship them. Here’s a reminder of our plan:

• Revenue from game sales on Steam and other platforms will be used to cover the cost of shipping the physical rewards to everyone.
• For those of you wondering if it would be possible to pay for shipping yourself to receive your backer rewards sooner, we plan to offer this option in the future and will provide more details when it becomes available.
• Please do not email us your mailing address at this time. When we’re ready, we’ll send out a survey via Kickstarter to collect updated mailing information from you.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work toward fulfilling these rewards.

THE SPACEVENTURE BOX SIGNING EXTRAVAGANZA​

At the start of March, we had the incredible opportunity to get together in person for a milestone we’ve been looking forward to for a long time—the official signing of the physical backer rewards! We signed nearly 4,000 items over the course of just two days.

It was a whirlwind effort, but also a deeply meaningful one. Holding these physical items in our hands—knowing they’re eventually going to make it out to those who have supported us all these years—was both humbling and energizing.

As promised, we captured some moments from the event to share with you. Below, you’ll find a couple of behind-the-scenes photos and a fun video clip of the signing session.

Thank you again for your patience, support, and enthusiasm. We’re getting closer every day, and this signing session was one more big step toward bringing SpaceVenture fully to life.

Here is a photo of Scott Murphy (left) and Mark Crowe (right) signing game boxes

Mark Crowe signing SpaceVenture posters

DOCUMENTARY FILMING​

While we were together earlier this month, we had the distinct honor of participating in interviews for the upcoming documentary titled "Legends of Adventure: The Story of Sierra On-Line." This project aims to celebrate the legacy of Sierra and the incredible impact it had on the world of adventure gaming—not to mention the video game world as a whole.

We’re excited for you to see more when the documentary is officially released. In the meantime, here are a couple of behind-the-scenes photos from the interview session to give you a small glimpse of what’s to come:

Mark Crowe talking about his days back at Sierra Online and Dynamix

Chris Pope giving a fan perspective of Sierra Online

MARK CROWE OPENS HIS DYNAMIX OFFICE BOX SEALED SINCE 1999​

Many of you are already familiar with the dramatic story behind the rise and fall of Sierra On-Line. If you haven’t explored that part of gaming history yet, we highly recommend checking out Ken Williams’ book and Shawn Mills’ book —both offer fascinating behind-the-scenes insights into the company’s journey.

Some of you may also know that in 1991, Mark transitioned from the Sierra On-Line office in Oakhurst to work at one of its subsidiaries, Dynamix. Like many of the companies Sierra acquired, Dynamix was ultimately caught in the financial collapse of its parent company. When Sierra began to go under, Dynamix was swept up in the fallout, and Mark, like many others, had to pack up his office and move on.

Recently, Mark pulled a sealed box out of storage filled with items he had kept from the last day he left his office at Dynamix—untouched for decades. We thought it would be fun to share that moment with you, so we filmed a special unboxing video of those long-lost mementos from his time at Dynamix.


It’s a nostalgic peek into a pivotal moment in gaming history, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

PROJECTS WE RECOMMEND:​

Legends of Adventure: The Story of Sierra On-Line

The Legends of Adventure: The Story of Sierra On-Line documentary is going full throttle. They have a big announcement coming up on Monday December 23rd! So be sure to check out the below link for details!

Check it out on @BackerKit and be part of preserving gaming history! thelegendsofadventure.com

KEN AND ROBERTA WILLIAMS / CYGNUS HAVE RELEASED COLOSSAL CAVE​

Get it now on all the following platforms and locations!

• Nintendo Switch
• Epic Games
• MetaQuest
• XBOX
• Steam
• Steam VR
• Amazon
• GOG
• Playstation 4
• PlayStation 5
• Playstation VR2
• SIDEQUEST
• iOS
• Humblebundle
• Pico 4
• Limited Run

 

[Tatochop]

Mark Crowe signing SpaceVenture posters

A poster that's been ruined by stupidly folding it in 4 instead of rolling it up, with a couple of shitty signatures scribbled on them? Where do I sign up??

 

[Taxnomore]

I'm happy for them. I really am. But I doubt anything can save that game and I hope they didn't spend too much more since the version I played.

 

[Infinitron]

Not a joke, it's out:

 

[Azalin]

Not a joke, it's out:

 

[Infinitron]

https://www.kickstarter.com/project...re-by-the-creators-of-space-que/posts/4351850

SpaceVenture is in Steam now and we are emailing Steam Keys and DRM Free access​

Dear SpaceVenture Backers,

After more than a decade of hard work, heart, and sheer determination, we’ve made it. SpaceVenture is officially in Early Access on Steam. This milestone wouldn’t exist without you, your belief, your patience, and your willingness to hold on through every twist and turn of this journey. You didn’t just back a project. You helped keep a dream alive.

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT

There are details in our last update you should check out HERE if you haven't already

Please note: Kickstarter does not allow us to distribute items like Steam keys or digital rewards directly through their platform. All such communication and delivery must be done via email.

Make sure to whitelist the following email address:

Adding us to your safe list will help ensure you receive all future updates, rewards, and critical information related to your pledge.

EMAILS HAVE NOW GONE OUT

We’ve sent out an email to all our $15 and up backers with instructions on how to access both the DRM-free version of the game and your Steam key, delivered through the itch.io platform. If you haven’t seen that email within a couple of hours from now, please check your spam or promotions folder, we’d hate for you to miss it.

Now, as SpaceVenture enters the world, we have one final request: we need your voice. Reviews on Steam are vital for visibility, especially for small indie teams like ours. Reviews from players like you will help others discover what we’ve created and, crucially, help generate the sales we need to fulfill the shipping of the physical backer rewards.

As already stated, no team member on this project will receive money from sales of the game until we’ve met our fulfillment of being able to ship out backer rewards.

We’re not asking for perfect scores. We’re asking for your experience. If you smiled, laughed, got stumped by a puzzle, or felt the classic spirit of a Two Guys From Andromeda adventure, share that. We hope you'll help others discover the heart of SpaceVenture, not just the struggles it took to bring it to life. Your words carry weight, and they can help make all the difference.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. This moment is yours as much as it is ours. And we truly hope SpaceVenture brings you the joy and nostalgia we set out to create.

 

[Taluntain]

April 1st is SO the most fitting date possible for this release.

 

[Infinitron]

https://guysfromandromeda.com/uncategorized/spaceventure-is-now-available-in-early-access-on-steam/

SpaceVenture is now available in Early Access on Steam!​

After over a decade of dreaming, building, stumbling, getting back up and pushing forward, we are finally here. Today, SpaceVenture has been released into Early Access on Steam.

We don’t have enough words to fully express how much your patience, support, and belief have meant through this long and often difficult journey.

If you are a backer of the game project, note that we are in the process of sending out emails containing information about the DRM free version and Steam Key information for SpaceVenture. Make sure that you have added our email address to your safe list. That email address is listed on this Kickstarter Update.

Now, we need your voice.

Reviews are everything on Steam, especially for a small indie team like ours. The visibility of SpaceVenture, and the opportunity for others to discover and enjoy what we’ve poured our hearts into, depends on early traction.

Ultimately If you laugh, if you enjoy the puzzles, if you see the soul of classic Two Guys From Andromeda adventure games shining through, we hope you’ll tell others. We also ask that, if possible, you focus your review on the game itself.. what it is now, rather than the time it took to get here. Your words will shape how the world sees SpaceVenture, and we trust you to help us carry it forward. This is our one and only shot at making a dent with Steam, and we hope you’ll help us by leaving a review.

For those who longed for a true Two Guys From Andromeda experience, a classic adventure game in all the best ways, SpaceVenture delivers. From the quirky puzzles and offbeat humor, to the hand-crafted artwork, memorable death sequences, and a retro adventure gaming interface, we truly believe you’ll feel right at home.

Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for believing. We hope SpaceVenture makes you smile—and makes the wait worthwhile.

SPACEVENTURE ON STEAM

You can also purchase SpaceVenture as DRM free on the itch.io platform here:

SPACEVENTURE DRM FREE

OFFICIAL SPACEVENTURE HINT GUIDE

Here is the official SpaceVenture Hint guide that you can use if you get stuck on a puzzle in the game. It words in a way as to not give too much away unless you need it:

SPACEVENTURE HINT GUIDE

 

[OndrejSc]

 

[Durq]

Given how mostly what I've seen online is people trashing the game and its disaster of a Kickstarter campaign, I am surprised there is only one negative review on Steam.

 

[Taluntain]

I'll wait for another 5 years of bug fixes.

 

[Taxnomore]

I'll wait for another 5 years of bug fixes.

Bad debugged game still bad.