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Launch Window: 1961
Manage a private space company in an alternate-history 1960s Space Race. Take contracts, purchase launch vehicles, and plan launches as you try to survive the high-risk, high-cost world of private spaceflight.

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Features
Single-player
Steam Cloud
Family Sharing
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Languages:
Interface Full Audio Subtitles
English ✔

Early Access Game

Get instant access and start playing; get involved with this game as it develops.

Note: Games in Early Access are not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more

What the developers have to say:

Why Early Access?

“Launch Window is a small, solo-developed game with its core gameplay direction already in place. Early Access will help shape the final version through player feedback. I want players to be able to try the game in its current, close-to-feature-complete state, then use their feedback to decide which quality-of-life improvements, historical details, additional features, and areas of polish are most worth focusing on before 1.0.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“The current plan is for Launch Window to remain in Early Access for about one year after release. This may change depending on player feedback, development progress, and the amount of polish or additional content that makes sense to add before the full release.”

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

“The full version is planned to be a more polished and complete version of the same core game. Planned improvements include more quality-of-life features, more period-appropriate presentation and detail, more polish across the launch flow and mission systems, and potentially additional launch vehicles or related content based on player feedback.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The Early Access version includes the main playable launch-window gameplay loop and the core systems described on the store page. The game is intended to be playable and representative of the final direction, but it will still need additional polish, bug fixing, balancing, usability improvements, and small features before the full release.”

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

“The current plan is not to change the price when Launch Window leaves Early Access. However, if the game expands significantly during Early Access with substantial new content or features, the price may be reconsidered before the full release.”

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

“Community feedback will help shape our priorities during Early Access. Player reports will be important for finding bugs, improving balance, smoothing out confusing UI or progression issues, and understanding which parts of the game players enjoy most.

We plan to keep improving the game throughout Early Access with updates focused on polish, fixes, tuning, and additions that strengthen the existing experience. Community feedback will help us decide which improvements matter most to players as development continues.”
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About This Game

Launch Window is a management sim about early commercial spaceflight in an alternate-history 1960s. Run a private launch company alongside the national space programs, chasing contracts and competing with rival firms while the Cold War and the Space Race unfold around you.

CHOOSE YOUR COMPANY

Choose from four established launch companies or create and brand your own. Select three company upgrades before the campaign begins, shaping your strengths in vehicle production, mission preparation, insurance, reputation, and contract rewards.

CONTRACTS AND CLIENTS

Film studios want cameras above the atmosphere. Medical boards need biological experiments returned safely. Broadcasters want relays in orbit. Other clients bring private passengers, press observers, station modules, and classified cargo.

Every contract has its own deadline, reward, and mission requirements. Reach a target altitude, fly downrange, remain above the atmosphere, recover a passenger, or place a payload into a stable orbit.

Rival companies are pursuing the same work. When a contract opens for competitive bidding, undercut the leading offer or promise an earlier launch, but make sure you have the vehicle, time, and money to deliver what you promise.

FLIGHT DESIGN

Choose from period launch vehicles including the Mercury-Redstone, Mercury-Atlas, Saturn IB, and Saturn V. Match the vehicle to the payload, set the launch azimuth, shape the ascent, adjust staging, and study the predicted trajectory before committing to flight.

Then decide how much preparation the mission can afford. More time and money can improve the odds, but every precaution cuts into the contract's value. Spend too little and a failure may cost the vehicle, the payload, and your reputation. Insure the launch to soften a potential loss, or save the premium and accept the risk yourself.

When the window opens, launch. Follow the mission from the pad through staging, orbit, reentry, and recovery.

THE WORLD RACES FOR SPACE

Newspapers chronicle the Space Race while your successes, failures, and battles with rival firms make headlines. Other companies procure vehicles, win contracts, and conduct launches of their own. Annual market reports track the competition as you build your reputation, take on more ambitious work, and fight to lead the commercial launch market before 1976.

FEATURES

  • Choose one of four established companies or create and brand your own

  • Select three upgrades that shape your company's strengths

  • Compete with rival firms for contracts and commercial market share

  • Take cargo, passenger, orbital, and classified contracts

  • Design missions around detailed flight requirements

  • Procure and fly four historic American launch vehicles

  • Balance preparation, insurance, risk, reputation, and capital

  • Follow historical news as your alternate Space Race unfolds

System Requirements

    Minimum:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 10 64-bit
    • Processor: Intel Core i3 or equivalent
    • Memory: 4 GB RAM
    • Graphics: DirectX 12 compatible GPU
    • DirectX: Version 12
    • Storage: 1 GB available space
    • Sound Card: DirectX compatible
    • Additional Notes: Keyboard and mouse recommended
    Recommended:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 10/11 64-bit
    • Processor: Intel Core i5 or equivalent
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: Modern integrated or dedicated DirectX 12 GPU
    • DirectX: Version 12
    • Storage: 1 GB available space
    • Sound Card: DirectX compatible
    • Additional Notes: Keyboard and mouse recommended
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