1. Home
  2. Press releases
  3. Moons of Ardan Unveils "A New Beginning" in Early Access Update #11 introduces a new mission system and tech tree progression.

Press release

Moons of Ardan Unveils "A New Beginning" in Early Access Update #11 introduces a new mission system and tech tree progression.


March 23, 2024 - Get ready, Axonauts! Pandora Technology, the Belgian independent game development studio, is thrilled to announce Early Access Update #11: “A New Beginning” for Moons of Ardan, your space city-building adventure. This major update introduces a new comprehensive mission system with 32 missions, including 23 tutorial missions, guiding players through the initial stages, and a brand-new tech tree featuring over 65 technologies and 6 science types with their production chains, offering a non-linear progression structure for a fresh and exciting way to explore the Moons of Ardan.
 
A Smoother Journey with the New Mission System:
 

  • Moons of Ardan has always offered a vast and open-ended experience, but Early Access Update #11 makes it more accessible than ever. The new mission system provides players of all skill levels with a step-by-step tutorial, easing them into the game's early stages and introducing them to the core mechanics.
 
Forge Your Path with the New Tech Tree:
 
  • The update also introduces a completely new tech tree, allowing players to unlock technologies in the order that best suits their playstyle. This non-linear approach grants players more freedom and flexibility to experiment and create thriving lunar colonies.
 
Key Features of Early Access Update #11:
 
  • New Mission System: A comprehensive system with 32 missions, including 23 step-by-step tutorial missions, easing players into the game's early stages.
  • Non-Linear Progression: A completely new tech tree with over 65 technologies and 6 science types, allowing players to choose their preferred development path.
  • Bug Fixes and Optimizations: Numerous improvements to the game's stability and performance.
 
After an exhaustive beta phase encompassing over 12 alpha patches and more than 6 months of dedicated development, Quentin Chevalier, the sole developer behind the game says:
 
"I am incredibly excited to introduce Early Access Update #11 to the Moons of Ardan community, this update marks a significant step forward, offering a more accessible and engaging experience for both newcomers and veterans alike. I can't wait to see what the community creates with the new features and look forward to their feedback."

Moons of Ardan is available now in Early Access on Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG.
 
For further information, please visit the official website at www.MoonsOfArdan.com.
 
The demo will also be updated with this exciting new content.
 
For additional details:
   
About Moons of Ardan
Moons of Ardan is an exciting exploration, city-builder, and colony simulation game set in space. This indie gem, allows you to expand your civilization across the moons of a real-time simulated planetary system, growing a small band of stranded Axonauts into a multi-lunar space-faring society.
Key Features
  • Unique blend of city-building and resource management: Similar to the acclaimed Anno series, but with the added complexity of a dynamic, simulated planetary system.
  • Visually Stunning Experience: Experience spacecraft flying by and planets rising on the horizon, showcasing the growth and development of your settlements.
  • Dynamic planetary ecosystem: Presents ecological challenges and opportunities for experimentation, demanding careful management for a sustainable colony.
Early Access and Availability  
Story and gameplay
 
“Embark on a space city-building adventure in Moons of Ardan! Develop a thriving civilization in a real-time planetary system. Oversee production chains, cater to the needs of your Axonauts, recover their lost technologies, and navigate resource transportation.”
 
In Moons of Ardan, players take on the role of a stranded civilization of Axonauts on an uninhabited moon.
 
The ultimate goal is to establish a thriving, multi-lunar space-faring society, culminating in the construction of a grand wonder.
 
To achieve this, players must strategically manage resources, establish production chains, expand their colony and and navigate resource transportation.
 
The game challenges players to balance the needs of their growing population with the limited resources available on the moons.
 
As the colony expands, players will have to carefully plan the distribution of resources and manage buildings’ output through a factory slot system and employment prioritization, allowing them to fine-tune the production of raw materials and finished products.
 
As players advance in the game, they will uncover new technologies to explore other moons orbiting the giant gas planet Ardan, and will need to establish trade routes to transfer resources between settlements.
 
The game also introduces a planetary ecosystem with ecological challenges, such as pollution, that players must address to maintain a sustainable colony.
 
During mid-game, with the introduction of energy management, the player will gain new way to fine-tune their production chains, as well as new challenges to confront.
 
In the later stages of the game, players will gain access to new method of colonizing asteroids, employing robot workers to withstand the harsh conditions of outer space.
 
With a carefully handcrafted, real-time planetary system, four tiers of population progression, and over 60 different buildings to construct, Moons of Ardan offers a challenging and immersive city-building experience.
 
Moons of Ardan includes a tutorial that will teach players the basics of the game.
Game Features Overview
 
Exploration and Environment:
  • Handcrafted Planetary System: Explore a dynamic system featuring a gas giant, 3 habitable moons, and 4 asteroids.
  • Immersive Visuals: Witness breathtaking planetary views that evolve alongside your settlements.
  • Dynamic Ecosystem: Manage a complex ecosystem with various resources, addressing the pollution challenge for aesthetic considerations or optimal gameplay.
 
Civilization Development:
  • Population Progression: Witness your civilization progress through 4 distinct stages, unlocking new possibilities.
  • Extensive Building Options: Construct and upgrade over 60 unique buildings, each with specific functions.
  • Technological Advancements: Unlock over 65 technologies across 6 science types to enhance your capabilities.
 
Resource Management and Production:
  • Diverse Resources: Manage over 45 types of resources to fuel your rapidly growing colony.
  • Challenging production chains: Put your resource management and optimization skills to the test.
 
Advanced Colony Management:
  • Energy Management: Balance energy needs and production layout for enhanced control over production chains, while also being challenged to reconsider your colony layouts.
  • Space Trade Routes: Establish trade routes between colonies for smooth resource management.
  • Factory Slot System: Exercise precise control over building production by limiting the number of workers for further optimization.
  • Job Prioritization: Identify buildings needing special attention for optimal resource management.
 
Customization:
  • Organic City-Building: Design and construct settlements to suit your playstyle with a gridless and organic system.
  • Flexible Gameplay: Play at your own pace, pausing the game anytime to plan and strategize.
 
Immersion and Engagement:
  • Original Soundtrack: Enjoy a captivating tailor-made soundtrack composed by Christophe Hubermont.
  • Engaging Narrative: Embark on a story-driven mission system for continued objectives.
  • Comprehensive Tutorial: Seamlessly learn the ropes with a tutorial integrated into the narrative, ensuring accessibility for players new to the city-building.
For additional details
 

About Pandora Technology
Pandora Technology (https://pandoratechnology.com/) is a Belgian independent game development studio founded by passionate game programmer Quentin. With a focus on creating high-quality and enjoyable games, often in collaboration with other talented game creators.
 
To fund the development of its games without financial constraints and focus on creating the best possible experience for players, Quentin has launched a Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/pandoratechnology.
 
Quentin, with his background in game programming and experience working at Abrakam on Faeria and Roguebook, brings a wealth of technical knowledge to the team. He has also honed his skills and brought ideas to life by working with many friends on game jam projects (https://hadesfury.itch.io/ and https://pandoratechnology.tumblr.com/).
 
Moons of Ardan, Pandora Technology's debut title, is a genre-defining city-building game set in space that allows players to expand their civilization across the moons of a real-time simulated planetary system. The game challenges players to grow a small band of stranded Axonauts into a multi-lunar space-faring society, providing an exciting and immersive experience.
 
To bring a unique artistic vision to the game during its several years of development, Pandora Technology has teamed up with artist François Mauge, who has a background in television production and experience creating trailers for major companies in the industry.
 
With a strong focus on gameplay, fun, and quality, this two-person team determinedly created a truly special gaming experience.
 
They were joined by Christophe, a talented self-taught music composer, to bring a unique musical experience to the game.
 
Their dedication and hard work have resulted in a highly anticipated game that is sure to provide players with a truly unforgettable experience.