No? While it might not be your typical jump-scare fest, Fort Solis masterfully crafts an atmosphere of dread and isolation that will chill you to the bone. The desolate Martian landscape, the claustrophobic confines of the abandoned base, and the unsettling mystery of the missing crew all contribute to a truly unnerving experience.
The claustrophobic corridors of Fort Solis are about to get even spookier as we officially join the Steam Scream Fest. From now until November 4, venture into the depths of the Martian base with a new chilling atmosphere and a 40% discount, just in time for the Halloween season:
To further celebrate this event, we would like to offer you a fresh bundle with - Don't be Afraid 2 - available only during this week.
Don't be Afraid 2 is a first person perspective horror game and a sequel to the 2020 game of the same title from our friends at Eneida Games and released today on Steam!
Check out more horror-themed bundles for Halloween
I. First, explore the desolate Martian landscape and uncover the terrifying secrets of Fort Solis alongside the Lovecraftian horrors of Moons of Madness. This bundle offers a unique blend of cosmic dread and psychological suspense, perfect for those who like their scares with a side of science fiction.
II. For a different flavor of fear, delve into the twisted minds of artists with the Fort Solis and Layers of Fear bundle. Experience the isolation and paranoia of Fort Solis, then journey into the depths of madness in Layers of Fear (2023)(including original Layers of Fear, Layers of Fear 2 and all DLCs) from Bloober Team, developer best known for Silent Hill 2 Remake.
III. Prepare for a double dose of psychological horror with the Fort Solis and Martha Is Dead bundle! Dive into the chilling isolation of Mars with Fort Solis, where something sinister lurks beneath the surface. Then, descend into the depths of wartime Italy with Martha Is Dead, a haunting tale of loss, mystery, and twisted realities.
IV. Experience the chilling depths of space with the Fort Solis and Observation bundle. Unravel the unsettling mystery plaguing a desolate Martian base in Fort Solis, where isolation and paranoia take hold. Then, shift your perspective in Observation, as you guide a troubled AI through a derelict space station, piecing together the terrifying truth behind a catastrophic event.
From Mars to Monastery: Fort Solis x Indika Bundle is Here!
Hey Adventurers,
We're excited to announce that Fort Solis is now available in a brand new bundle alongside the atmospheric narrative adventure, INDIKA by our friends from 11 bit studios!
Experience these two unique worlds and captivating stories at a discounted price with the Fort Solis x INDIKA bundle.
But that's not all! Fort Solis is also available in other great bundles:
I. Embark on thrilling journeys through the perils of space with two captivating sci-fi bundles!
One with The Invincible, another awesome game by 11 bit studios and second - with Moons of Madness by Funcom (haven't we told you Fort Solis takes part in "Chasing the Horizon" by Funcom this week?)
II. Prepare for sleepless nights with two chilling horror bundles!
First one with Layers of Fear (2023), a game by Bloober Team, developer behind the recent Silent Hill 2 remake (should we say more?) and second one with Don't be Afraid (sequel just around the corner!)
PS As Fort Solis is being featured in Funcom’s Chase the Horizon event this week, we've made some further improvements to the game. Enjoy and see you in Fort Solis this weekend! https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1931730/view/4508757661094670089?l=english
Fort Solis featured in "Chase the Horizon" event along with NEW PATCH 🚀🌌
We’re excited to share that Fort Solis is being featured in Funcom’s Chase the Horizon event! 🌠 And to celebrate, Fort Solis will be on 40% discount for a limited time during the event!
We also worked with Funcom to bring a bundle with one of their cosmic games we love so much, i.e. Moons of Madness:
This is the perfect moment to jump into the eerie and atmospheric world of Mars... or the Moon, with an incredible deal that brings you the full Fort Solis and Moons of Madness experience at a reduced price.
You can check all the amazing games participating in the event here.
In addition to that, we implemented some changes based on community feedback that will further improve the Fort Solis experience!
IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE:
FSR 3.0 now supports both AMD and Nvidia cards
FSR / DLSS toggle added in game settings (Nvidia card owners can enjoy both)
It's hard to believe it's been over a year since Fort Solis first opened its doors (or should we say airlocks?) to players. With another month passing, we're thrilled to announce a massive 50% discount on the Fort Solis: Terra Edition for the next 4 days!
🎮 Fort Solis: Terra Edition is packed with quality content, we'd love you to experience:
Fort Solis the game: Experience the thrilling sci-fi mystery set on the desolate Martian mining base,
Digital Artbook: Delve into the stunning visuals and concept art behind Fort Solis,
Original Soundtrack: Immerse yourself in the atmospheric music that brings the game to life.
🔥 But that's not all! The legendary Roger Clark (voice of Jack Leary, our main protagonist) will be doing a live autograph signing on Streamily this September 23 (today) & 25 (Wednesday)! Don't miss this unique opportunity to get your Fort Solis (or RDR2 😉) memorabilia signed by the man himself.
Fort Solis: Terra Edition a "complete the set" bundle. It means you will be charged for, and receive, just the items in that bundle that you don't already have in your Steam library.
⚠️ This is a limited-time offer, so suit up - Mars is calling! 🌑
Fort Solis Concept Art Showcase | Part 3 and Bonus!
Hello Fort Solis Community!
We are thrilled to bring you Part 3 of our Concept Art Series. In the last instalment, we took you on a journey through the creation of our characters and their unique outfits, revealing the intricate details that bring each individual to life.
This time, we delve deep into the vision and creativity behind the mining base on Mars. Our talented team of artists and designers worked tirelessly to bring this otherworldly setting to life, blending realism with the futuristic essence of Fort Solis.
The Mining Base on Mars
When we first set out to create the mining base, our goal was to craft a setting that felt both believable and awe-inspiring. Mars, with its harsh environment and unique terrain, presented the perfect backdrop for our story. The mining base had to be robust and functional, capable of withstanding the planet's extreme conditions while providing a sense of isolation and frontier exploration.
Prospect One
This is where our main protagonist, Jack Leary, begins his journey. Prospect One is a significant location, featuring a drilling rig situated away from any inhabited base. The design of Prospect One captures the essence of isolation and the relentless pursuit of resources on Mars. Our team worked meticulously to create a drilling rig that is both functional and visually striking, setting the stage for Jack’s initial experiences and challenges.
The Excavation Site
Fast forward, and we are at the expansive Excavation Site, the heart of the mining operation, surrounding Fort Solis. This area showcases the sheer scale and intensity of the resource extraction efforts. Our concept art captures the stark contrast between the advanced technology used for mining and the raw, untamed Martian landscape.
The Excavation Site is designed to be a bustling hub of activity, with heavy machinery, vast digging areas, and an intricate network of tunnels. It embodies the relentless human drive to harness the resources of Mars, despite the harsh and unforgiving environment.
The Concept: From Sketch to Reality
We are excited to exclusively share some of the earliest sketches that laid the foundation for the mining base. These sketches were instrumental in shaping the final look and feel of the environment. Our artists began with rough sketches and drawings, capturing the rugged, untamed beauty of Mars and the industrial functionality needed for a mining operation.
These initial concepts served as blueprints, guiding the subsequent development of more detailed and polished art. Through numerous iterations and refinements, the concepts evolved, incorporating feedback from our design and engineering teams to ensure that the mining base was not only visually striking but also structurally sound and believable within the context of Martian conditions.
Bonus for Special Anniversary Celebration
And finally, to celebrate 1 Year of Fort Solis, we have a special treat for our dedicated community. Rafał Banasiak, Fort Solis’ concept artist, has prepared a video overview of game’s "3D Concept Design”. This video offers a fascinating comparison between the concept art and the final in-game look of various elements. It's a unique opportunity to see how our vision evolved from sketches and design to the immersive world you explore in Fort Solis. Don't miss it!
Stay tuned for our next post in the series. Thank you for being part of our journey. We hope you enjoyed the art. Let us know what you'd like to see in the future!
--- PS Fort Solis is a part of Steam Space Exploration Fest, where you can find other space-themed games. We are happy to collaborate with Starward Industries and 11 bit studios to bring Fort Solis x The Invincible bundle with additional 10% discount.
We're thrilled to announce that Fort Solis is now part of the Steam Space Exploration Fest, celebrating the wonders of the cosmos with an out-of-this-world discount!
For the first time ever, Fort Solis is available at a record-breaking 40% off! 🚀
Whether you're navigating through the eerie corridors of the Martian facility or uncovering the secrets hidden within its walls, now is the perfect time to join the adventure. Dive deep into the heart of the Red Planet and experience the thrilling narrative of Fort Solis.
But Space Exploration Fest is packed with incredible deals on other great space-themed games, and Fort Solis is proud to be a part of this stellar lineup. Hurry, this won't last long—once the festival ends, so do these discounts!
Hence, grab your spacesuit, prepare for the unknown, and secure your copy of Fort Solis today at 40% off or pick one of the bundles at an even higher discount!
PS Why did we bring Fort Solis to life on Mars? Space has always sparked our imagination. And games that take us beyond our world open the door to extraordinary adventures that Earth simply can’t offer.
--- Also join us in celebrating 1 Year Anniversary of Fort Solis here: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1931730/view/4288076570025053647?snr=1_5_9_
Anniversary Sale and Free DLC!
🎉 Celebrate Fort Solis Anniversary with 40% OFF and FREE DLC 🎉
Dear Fort Solis Community,
As mentioned in the previous news, we want to kick off our celebration with the biggest sale ever and the release of a free DLC bonus pack! Fort Solis release and the last 12 months have been an incredible journey, and we want to thank you for your ongoing support.
For a limited time, we're offering a 40% discount on the base game. As such, whether you're completing your collection or gifting the game to a friend, this is an opportunity you don't want to miss.
🚀 New FREE DLC Available Now 🚀
In addition, we’re happy to release a free DLC bonus pack with exciting new content for all of our fans. The bonus pack includes:
additional game music (11 tracks)
additional artwork, avatars, animated gifs and wallpapers
2 short-stories expanding game's universe (one never published before)
in-game posters
main music theme video clip
and more
All you need to do to claim it is to go back to the Fort Solis storepage on Steam and scroll down to the "Content for this game" section, where the DLC is listed for free download.
📺Fort Solis: 1 Year Anniversary Trailer 📺
We also encourage you to check our "Fort Solis: 1 Year Anniversary Trailer" that highlights game's evolution over the last 12 months and gives you a glimpse of what to expect in the future!
Remember, we don't stop just yet, so expect some more exciting news in the coming days!
Today marks a special milestone – it’s been an incredible year since the launch of Fort Solis! We couldn’t have reached this point without the support of our amazing community. To celebrate this momentous occasion, we have some exciting announcements and a look back at what made this year unforgettable.
A Year in Review:
Since the launch of Fort Solis, we’ve embarked on an exhilarating journey filled with intense moments, ups and downs, but thanks to your feedback and support, we have shaped the game into what it is today.
Aside from optimization and bug fixes, we have also added a faster walking option (which was the most requested feature), FSR 3.0 support for AMD cards and GeForce NOW support for Steam version. We've also adjusted game's price for the communities that needed it most!
But... we are far from over. We are super happy to confirm, that later this year, you can expect more updates based on community requests, so stay tuned for more news about that!
Anniversary DLC:
To show our appreciation to community - on August 26, 2024 (upcoming Monday) - we will be rolling out a free anniversary DLC bonus pack with some digital goodies, including:
2 short-stories expanding game's universe (one never published before)
in-game posters
main music theme video clip
and more
Anniversary Sale:
If you or your friends haven’t yet explored the depths of Fort Solis, it will be the perfect time to do so! To celebrate our first anniversary, we will be offering a highest limited-time discount on the base game so far!
Look out for our sale between August 26 and September 9.
In the meantime, for the next 48 hours only, you can grab "Fort Solis: Terra Edition" at a 50% discount!
Join the Celebration:
We also invite all of you to join us in celebrating this milestone. Share your favorite moments, (screenshots, videos and stories from your adventures) on our Discord server.
We’ll be doing a giveaway of Fort Solis keys there!
And once again, thank you for making Fort Solis an incredible experience. Here’s to many more adventures together on Mars!
🎉 Celebrate Erno Rubik's Birthday with the Fort Solis Rubik's Challenge! 🧩
Hello Fort Solis Explorers!
We're excited to bring you a special challenge in honor of Erno Rubik's birthday tomorrow, July 13!
Erno Rubik, the brilliant mind behind the iconic Rubik's Cube, has inspired countless puzzle enthusiasts around the world, and now it's your turn to join the fun within the universe of Fort Solis.
🧩 About the puzzle in Fort Solis 🧩
In Fort Solis, we've integrated a mini-game inspired by the classic Rubik's Cube. This puzzle is not just a test of your skills but also a tribute to the legacy of Erno Rubik. Whether you're a seasoned cube solver or new to the puzzle, our mini-game offers a fun and engaging experience. And of course, our cube is fully operational and 100% solvable — so you can finally prove it's not just your thumbs that are all thumbs!
🎮 Fort Solis Rubik's Challenge 🎮
Challenge Dates: July 12 - July 19
Objective: Solve the mini-game puzzle in Fort Solis and prove your puzzle-solving prowess!
How to Participate: 1. Play: Launch Fort Solis and navigate to the mini-game inspired by Rubik's cube. 2. Solve: Complete the mini-game and take a screenshot of your solved cube (please make sure it captures your Steam nick, e.g. using Steam overlay [shift+tab]). 3. Share: Join our Discord channel and post your screenshot in the dedicated #Contest room.
Prizes: We have 10 fantastic prizes to give away:
5x Fort Solis Original Soundtrack (OST)
5x Fort Solis Artbook
Winners: We'll randomly select 10 lucky winners from all valid entries. The winners will be announced on July 20 on our Discord server.
This is your chance to celebrate Erno Rubik’s legacy and show off your puzzle-solving skills within the Fort Solis community. Join us in this fun and rewarding challenge!
Good luck, and happy solving!
🔧 Fort Solis Team 🔧
❓ Why No Achievement? ❓
We know many of you are wondering why there's no official achievement for solving the mini-game in Fort Solis.
At Fort Solis, we believe that certain experiences should be enjoyed purely for the fun and challenge they provide, rather than for external rewards. The mini-game inspired by Rubik's Cube is designed to be a relaxing and mentally stimulating activity, encouraging you to take a break from the main storyline and engage in a classic puzzle that tests your problem-solving skills. By not tying an achievement to this mini-game, we aim to foster a sense of personal accomplishment and satisfaction that comes from solving the puzzle on your own terms, without the pressure of chasing achievements.
We hope you find joy and fulfillment in solving the in-game cube, while immersing yourself in the Fort Solis universe.
PS Stuck on our mini-game? No worries! Check out the solution here and get back in the contest for your chance to win:
Going down the development stairs with Game Director
Find out even more about Fort Solis
Fort Solis Game Director - James Tinsdale - had a passionate interview with The PhotoMode magazine, and it's a must-read for all Fort Solis fans and virtual photography enthusiasts! The PhotoMode is the first free virtual photography e-magazine composed of team who share their love for digital art and everything related to it!
Check out the full issue of The PhotoMode magazine here and explore it's full content!
You can also read the interview with James down below (provided for your convenience). You could argue Fort Solis leans more towards an interactive film rather than a traditional gaming experience? Was this intentional from the outset or did it evolve over time? Additionally, what challenges does this approach pose compared to gameplay experiences?
From the outset we knew we wanted to make a game that blurred the lines between film and game. With great stories being told across many streaming networks we felt that creating an experience closer to that format would allow us to explore not only the format itself but different elements of Unreal 5 that could showcase fantastic performances.
This type of experience creates a new set of challenges that perhaps are more polarized. An example of this would be the narrative. Just like a show on TV, if the narrative isn’t for you then it can greatly impact your enjoyment. Here, the story of Fort Solis was something we knew people would love but was also completely ok for those that didn’t. Our answer to that was to make sure that the quality of everything that we did would be there so you could see the intent.
When watching a movie, you watch the main character go through various emotions, but with a game you are the main character feeling those emotions. With Fort Solis especially you are living and exploring a sense of fear and panic on a desolate planet thousands of miles from Earth. Was capturing the sense of isolation and a constant state of anxiety a tough job to portray throughout the game?
When making a thriller, the challenge is always to make the player feel tension. This can be done in a number of ways but with game development, a short time after you have seen the content multiple times it becomes harder to know if you're on the right path of achieving that. You become reliant on external testing and reactions to inform your changes.
We had such fantastic performances from our cast that it created such a contrast when the player was alone. We simply didn't have the budget to make a 20 hour game so we had to really choose our impactful moments and use isolation as a tool to create intrigue and tell the story of the crew in creative ways such as video logs. This placed a lot of emphasis on our ability to edit facial data, choose our lines carefully and hope that it felt natural. Facial mocap is incredibly expensive and to the fidelity we wanted to achieve, it became hard to choose which logs to go with. I think the ones we went with added energy, humility to the crew in a way that felt like you knew these people. I think the team did an incredible job of delivering the quality of those moments to accompany the isolated exploration of the core story path.
From concept to execution which ideas / visions of the environments changed the most drastically?
We had a couple of locations that we simply had to cut. One was a space for the crew to spend personal time in. Whether that was prayer, to watch a private video from a loved one such as a birthday message or anything else, we wanted this space to house a great moment for Troy's character Wyatt that I really wanted in the game. However, we simply couldnt make the space work in a way where it didn't feel like it was created specifically for that moment. We ended up turning that moment into a post credits scene.
In terms of concept through to creation the space that perhaps changed more drastically was the Greenhouse. It just kept getting bigger! We wanted it to be the hero item of the base and really have a presence over everything. However, when we first imagined the space, it was smaller and more of a makeshift space that Helen had put together. As the scene with Jess, Jack and Wyatt grew, so would the space that needed to house that scene. Once we completed the mocap for that scene we simply wanted to show the whole scene and extended the space accordingly.
The hard work that goes into creating games is incredible. We believe photo mode allows gamers to see and appreciate the environment in more detail, is this something you and others like seeing from those who share in game images? How do you balance creative freedom within a photomode with the need to maintain the game’s storytelling integrity?
From the start I knew that we wanted to have a photo mode. Whilst we were creating a contained story, we wanted players to be able to showcase how they saw the story. Story is personal to everyone and how they interact with the story can be shown through images.
Photo mode allows players to notice elements and explore spaces that perhaps they normally wouldn't. This not only allows world building moments to occur outside the context of the gameplay but for people to feel empowered to share their story of Fort Solis. Which moments were important to them, moments they wanted to retain or showcase.
We had technical challenges to achieve the fidelity we wanted given how early in Unreal 5 we were; however, the team did an incredible job of persisting. I think everyone on the team knew that it was important for players to share their journey. The decision was easier given the format we wanted to make and how people digest TV content.
We actually made no real effort to balance the creative freedom and we wanted players to communicate their journey however which way they wanted. We live in a world where most people are respectful of spoilers but also there are many levers to not see those spoilers, so we didn't want players to feel limited when trying to be creative. Just as we were as developers, it was really rewarding to see players enjoy the game and share it. We actually joked in the office how well it actually shipped given the quality of photos people were taking! Ours were terrible compared to some of the ones shared. It was great to help inspire creativity in others.
Do you have a favourite memory from the creation process?
I remember watching the final scenes before we sent the game to certification. The team didn't see me look out at them, but I was so incredibly proud of what we achieved. The journey we went on. My favourite memory was simply my team and how fortunate I felt to be working with them. I'm so proud of what we achieved as such a small indie team. And if you share passion for digital photography, we highly recommend to follow TPM and their social media, and maybe even join the VP community seeking the best possible shot in Fort Solis and other games.
Some of them already joined our Discord channel and shared some gorgeous captures of Fort Solis.
You wouldn't believe how exquisite they are! Feel free to join us here as well and see for yourself 👀
