Strange Adventures in Infinite Space

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Strange Adventures In Infinite Space (SAIS) is a hybrid strategy/adventure computer game. It was created by the independent game development group Digital Eel. In the game players explore a "plausibly implausible" (fictional) region of the Milky Way galaxy called The Purple Void.

Unlike "one time through" story games, SAIS sets up differently each time it is played, similar to Roguelike games. Stars, black holes, planets, nebulae, artifacts, alien patrols, gadgets, lifeforms and dozens of events and encounters are randomized for each game session.

It is very different from roguelikes, however. Instead of playing like a CRPG, SAIS is similar to a tabletop game. It has graphics, sound effects and music. It is set in outer space, not within a multilevel underground fantasy "dungeon" setting. It is also very short (most roguelikes tend to be lengthy affairs). Game sessions typically last from 3 to 20 minutes, hence the game's tagline "Explore the galaxy in 20 minutes or less!"

Ernest Adams, writing for Gamasutra in 2005, termed SAIS as being "The perfect short game."

SAIS features 21 different starship types, 69 different weapons, star drives, shields, shipboard systems and alien artifacts, 18 alien lifeforms, 17 different planet and star types and 7 different alien races.

SAIS was released for PC and Mac on March 15, 2002 by the award-winning boardgame developer/publisher, Cheapass Games, and later for Pocket PC and Palm by British developer/publisher, Astraware.

As of November 11, 2005, the source code is freely available under the GNU GPL, though other game content besides the code is still proprietary.

SAIS's sequel, Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space features far more content and options, and is currently available for Windows and Mac.

[edit] Game credits

Design: Rich Carlson, Iikka Keränen
Code: Iikka Keranen
Art: Iikka Keranen, Rich Carlson, Bill "Phosphorus" Sears
Sound & Music: Rich Carlson
Fearless Testers: James Ernest, Kevin Matheny, Duncan McPherson, Joe Pallai, Richard Rouse III, John Slade, Thom Wetzel
Moral Support: Sarinee Achavanuntakul, John Bye, Drew Cady, Rasmus Ekman, James Fudge, John Keefer, Joerg Stelkens
Inspiration: John Butterfield, Fred Ford, Paul Reiche III, Gene Roddenberry, A.E. Van Vogt

[edit] External links

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