Aphelion Game: ESA Collaboration | Space Exploration Adventure
# Aphelion: Don’t nod’s New sci-Fi thriller Grounded in Real Astronomy
Don’t Nod, the studio behind narrative adventures like *Life is Strange* and *Tell Me Why*, is charting a new course with *Aphelion*, a sci-fi thriller that blends grounded scientific concepts with a compelling mystery. Set to launch next year on PC,PS5,and Xbox,*Aphelion* promises a unique experience that’s as much about exploration and survival as it is about uncovering the secrets of a distant planet.
## A Planet Rooted in Scientific Possibility: Persephone and Planet Nine
The game centers around a mission to Persephone, a newly discovered planet orbiting a distant star. What makes *aphelion* particularly intriguing is its foundation in real astronomical speculation. Persephone isn’t pulled from thin air; it’s directly inspired by the hypothetical “Planet Nine,” a large, undiscovered planet theorized to exist in the outer reaches of our solar system.
“Planet Nine was an vital source of inspiration,” explains lead producer, Luc Weideli. “And an captivating scientific grounding for an adventure featuring astronauts who explore a new planet. [But] we then added our own lore, inventiveness, and most importantly, human drama.”
The idea of Planet Nine, a world perhaps five to ten times the mass of Earth, has captivated astronomers for years. Its existence is inferred from the unusual clustering of orbits of several Kuiper Belt objects.while still unconfirmed, the possibility of such a planet lurking in the darkness of space provided Don’t Nod with a compelling starting point for their fictional world. This commitment to scientific plausibility isn’t just window dressing; it’s woven into the very fabric of *Aphelion’s* universe.
## Collaboration with the European Space Agency for Authenticity
To ensure the game’s authenticity, Don’t Nod forged a collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). This partnership went beyond simply consulting with experts.
“the ESA team gave us access to space experts and scientists,with whom we could discuss and challenge our ideas about the story of the game,” Weideli says. “For example, our narrative team could discuss the scientific aspects of a space or extraterrestrial mission, review the vocabulary of a space mission, how astronauts talk to each other during a mission. They also offered to review and give advice regarding the technology.”
this level of collaboration promises a level of detail and realism rarely seen in video games. From the technical jargon used by the astronauts to the procedures they follow, *Aphelion* aims to immerse players in a believable space exploration experience. The ESA’s input extends to the nuances of astronaut interaction and the intricacies of space mission protocols, adding layers of authenticity that will resonate with space enthusiasts.