I've recently started work on a new project with the working title of Encyclopaedia Galactica. The idea is that the player is a freelance researcher for the encyclopaedia, travelling across the galaxy and visiting different star systems and dozens of planets in search of alien flora and fauna. He has to trap and research anything he can find, then submit his articles for payment. This enables him to buy fuel, traps, repair his ship etc. More distant star systems require more fuel and more money to reach, so the player will have to play the game to open those up for exploration.

If there's time I may include planets with other things to do, perhaps ancient tombs to rob and alien civilisations with ways of spending money. Who knows, there's plenty of scope there.

I've approached a few top Spectrum artists to help with graphics as the different alien worlds will need a variety of styles. The more the merrier, in fact. Not to mention Spanner, who is doing the writing. Yes, a sensible storyline for once!

Wish me luck, I've got three months to write it...

Sounds ace! When is it to be released?

Regards,

Shaun.

Sounds like a good twist on space exploration games!

It's due for release in October I think, but I'm aiming to finish it in late September.

Just added a sub-game where the player decodes an organism's DNA for a bonus.

Looking good so far. Here are some more screenshots:

Looking pretty solid so far. =-)

Nice screenies. Thanks for sharing!