Various atmospheric and astronomical phenomenons, such as meteor storms, sandstorms, solar storms often occur on Mars. Some of them could be extremely dangerous not only for the people, but also for buildings and equipment. In today’s post, you can learn about sandstorm and meteor shower.


Meteor shower - astronomical phenomenon, very common on Mars, in which a number of meteors are observed to fall from one point in the sky carving fresh craters into the Martian surface. It occurs more than 200 times per year! usually when the orbit of the Red Planet goes through a meteor stream from the Asteroid Belt or through a tail of small comet fragments.

During meteor storm it’s better to take shelter inside a base or a Rover, because you can get hit by a meteorite or by some debris from nearby devices. This phenomenon also causes damage to the infrastructure. It is important to remember about safety and don’t get too close to the damaged solar batteries or transformers - you can die from being electrocuted!


Sandstorm - atmospheric event that is formed when solar heating warms the Martian atmosphere and causes the air to move and lift large amounts of sand and dust. In reality they can last for months, covering even the entire planet, but in the game Mars won’t be that harsh.

Sandstorms in the game will last hours, not months and cover only some part of the planet. Sand particles can cause damage to the equipment, vehicles and buildings. Remember to clean your equipment after the storm and fix your base as soon as possible!



In the next devlog, you will read about other natural phenomenons that occur on the Red Planet.
If you have any questions related to the game, feel free to ask on our discord channel.
Keep following us on social media!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-eveNpMd-k
Best Regards,
Occupy Mars Team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/758690/Occupy_Mars_The_Game/

See also our other game about Mars: Rover Mechanic Simulator!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/864680/Rover_Mechanic_Simulator

Spectral Detector is a tool for detecting resources in rocks and the presence of water in Martian soil. It allows for spectroscopic analysis of rocks and soil to learn about their composition.

It will also let you measure the amount of surface hydrogen to estimate the volume of water reservoir below it. Additionally Spectral Detector will acquire information about the rate of water yield and distance to the center of water-rich spot.



At the beginning, the range of a device will be limited to 250 m. In the later stages of the game you will be able to upgrade the detector, which will increase the range of a tool and speed up rock scanning.

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Stay tuned for more updates and keep following us on social media! Feel free to join our discord channel

Best Regards,
Occupy Mars Team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/758690/Occupy_Mars_The_Game/

See also our other game about Mars: Rover Mechanic Simulator!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/864680/Rover_Mechanic_Simulator

In today's post we would like you to take a look at a very useful device, which you will get to use on Mars. The detonator is a device that can be used to trigger explosives or ignite solid rocket motors.



The explosives have a dual purpose. They can be used for mining in order to obtain raw materials from rocks or to demolish buildings and constructions.

They also serve as solid rocket fuel for sounding rockets. If you construct a rocket correctly (which isn’t easy) - triggering a detonator should launch the rocket, but don’t forget to keep a safe distance!



Of course there will also be liquid fuel rockets in the game, but that’s a story for another DevLog ;)

If you have any questions related to the game, feel free to join our discord channel.
Keep following us on social media!

Best Regards,
Occupy Mars Team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/758690/Occupy_Mars_The_Game/

Today we have an amazing news for you! ːsteamhappyː
Our game Occupy Mars was qualified as one of the 20 "Best Indie Games" and will participate in the finals of the Indie Showcase competition at Digital Dragons!



At Digital Dragons you'll be able to meet some of us with a chance to play an exclusive demo of Occupy Mars!

Best Regards,
Occupy Mars Team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/758690/Occupy_Mars_The_Game/

In today's post we would like to bring up a very important issue, which is controlling the Heavy Rover.

Operating the rover can be done in two ways. You can control the vehicle by using various control panels inside, or operate the rover remotely from the outside using the remote control device.



Remote controller will allow you to operate the rover remotely from the outside. You will easily control the vehicle as well as operate the crane. You will be able to adjust remotely the length, height and direction of a robotic arm. Remote control device will also allow you to change the crane tools.



After sitting in the Rover’s seat you can take a look at the control panels, which you will use to operate the vehicle:
- straight ahead and above: main panel used to control the rover, unloading collected rocks, controlling the lights and removing semi-trailer,
- on the right: used to operate the crane, choose crane tools,
- on the desk on the right there’s also a place for storing Rover’s remote controller.



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Feel free to join our discord channel and keep following us on social media!

Best Regards,
Occupy Mars Team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/758690/Occupy_Mars_The_Game

Today we have something special for you! 20 dumb ways to die on Mars - a music video parody based on alpha gameplay footage. Enjoy! ːsteamhappyː

https://youtu.be/R-eveNpMd-k

Stay tuned for more updates and keep following us on social media!

Best Regards,
Occupy Mars Team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/758690/Occupy_Mars_The_Game

See also our other game about Mars: Rover Mechanic Simulator!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/864680/Rover_Mechanic_Simulator

In previous post, you became familiar with basic details of the Heavy Rover, so today we'd like to talk about Heavy Rover's hydraulic crane and trailers.



The Rover is equipped with a semi-trailer with different removable containers attached by hook.
There are many types of trailers:

• container - for storing big items and building components
  
• the tipper trailer - for collecting rocks used on mining sites
  
• gas and liquid tanks - for storing water, oxygen or gas

The trailer must be attached to the Rover to load and unload, so you will not be able to add more than a one trailer.



Heavy Rover also has an hydraulic crane (HDS) and crane tools, such as:

• claw - used to grab rocks and put them into the trailer
  
• drill - used to drilling through big rocks in order to crush them into smaller parts,
  which can be transported
  
• welder - used for building constructions and repairing damaged buildings

The Rover is also equipped with automatic tool changing system. The crane tools are safely
stored in the Rover’s trunk which is located opposite to the main entrance airlock.



You can easily operate the robotic arm with the right control panel in the cabin and change the crane tool with crane tool manager. You will be able to adjust the length, height and direction of an arm.



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Stay tuned for more updates! In the next devlog, you will learn how to operate Heavy Rover!

Feel free to join our discord channel. Also, keep following us on social media!

See you next week! ːsteamhappyː
Best Regards,
Occupy Mars Team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/758690/Occupy_Mars_The_Game

It’s time to introduce you to a very important vehicle, which you will get to use a lot on Mars.

Heavy Rover is an eight-wheeled vehicle designed to move across the surface of Mars.
You can use it as a means of transport, to drive to different locations in order to mine and collect rocks and then transport uploaded rocks to the crusher.



Operating the rover can be done in two ways you can control it by using various control panels inside, or operate the rover remotely from the outside using the remote control device.



The Rover also has storage spaces - one for the equipment from the inventory and another one with the helmets, batteries and spare oxygen / water tanks.
Inside the Rover there is also a socket where you can charge the suit.

There is a bed as well, so you can take a nap or go to sleep in order to regain strength when you are far away from the base.



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That would be all for this week. Stay tuned for more updates! In the next devlog, you will learn about Heavy Rover's hydraulic crane and trailers!

Feel free to visit our discord channel. Keep following us on social media!


See you next week! ːsteamhappyː
Best Regards,
Occupy Mars Team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/758690/Occupy_Mars_The_Game

Welcome to our fifth devlog! Today we want you to take a look at another necessary tool, which will be available in the inventory.

Blowtorch is a very important tool in the game. It will allow you to build metal constructions and also carry out repair work on damaged buildings and vehicles.



The welding tool, just like other tools, can be upgraded.
With upgraded Blowtorch you can build and repair constructions much faster.



While using the welder, please remember about safety. Welding can be difficult and dangerous.

Flammable materials can easily ignite, so you need to be careful! :)


That would be all for this week.
Visit our discord channel.
Keep following us on social media!

See you next week! ːsteamhappyː
Best Regards,
Occupy Mars Team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/758690/Occupy_Mars_The_Game

One of the most important and also challenging task, will be to establish reliable food source on Mars. In order to achieve this, you will need to grow crops, because plants are the major source of food and oxygen on the Red Planet. You will have to build martian greenhouses for growing various plants.




Greenhouse is a large building intended for cultivating plants in controlled environment. It provides required conditions for plant growth, such as: temperature, lighting and irrigation. You can control conditions in the greenhouse using a terminal. Moreover, it can also be used for air revitalization, water recycling, waste recycling and food processing.

In the greenhouse you can use two methods of growing plants, such as: hydroponics (without soil, in hydroponic pot / container filled with water rich in minerals and nutrients) and traditional method - direct to soil. Plants growing in hydroponic pots or containers, have different needs than plants growing in the soil. You can generate the soil from organic material using the composter.
The greenhouse also has a folding shield which helps you protect your crops during solar storms.


First, start seeds in a small hydroponic pots, which you can find on the side of the greenhouse. When seedlings grow taller, you can plant them directly to the soil, and then to the large containers. Plants need light (for the photosynthesis), carbon dioxide, water and nitrogen. Ideal soil should be rich in Nitrogen, which is a natural fertilizer that help plants grow healthy. If soil doesn’t contain enough nitrogen - plants will grow really slow and weak.

Greenhouse is filled with the equipment which will help you with the cultivating, such as:

• seed planting tool;
  
• containers and pots;
  
• hydroponic farm;
  
• plant incubator;
  
• seed modification device;
  
• organic composter;
  
• terminals for controlling the conditions of a greenhouse.

Remember that your plants are quite fragile, you can’t allow the greenhouse to lose pressure, otherwise your food supplies may quickly disappear.



One greenhouse should be enough for a few colonizers, but you will need to build more of them if you want to grow your colony. Later you will also be able to build garden domes, but that’s a story for another time ;)

If you have any suggestions or topics, which you would like you to read about, feel free to let us know on our discord channel. Keep following us on social media!

See you next week! ːsteamhappyː
Best Regards,
Occupy Mars Team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/758690/Occupy_Mars_The_Game