ΔV: Rings of Saturn

Hard sci-fi top-down space-mining sim. Features realistic yet approachable spaceflight and spaceship model and strategic company management back on the space station.

Player assumes command of a mining ship operating in the rings of Saturn and company running it. Gameplay is divided into top-down spaceflight simulator and company management parts.

In the space-sim part game features realistic Newtonian flight model and simulation of ships internal systems. Minerals have to be actively excavated by matching their velocities in order to bring them aboard. Ship can be equipped with variety of mining systems (mass drivers, mining lasers, etc). While these devices can be used in ship-to-ship combat, the combat itself is not a focus of the game. There are no saves during space flight, player has to adapt to any damages that ship will take. Typical space-flight session takes 15 to 30 minutes.

The company management part of the game takes place at Enceladus Prime station, where player can sell their output on the mineral market, buy upgrades or new ships, hire crew and make repairs and tunes to their ship. Management part is presented as series of menus akin to tycoon games. Game autosaves in the company management mode.

Game features a story presented as a series of encounters.