Space Exploration: Serpens Sector is an upcoming RPG by Metal Beetle Ltd. It’s a work in progress, but you can download a development preview now.

In SE:SS, you are tasked with charting the long-abandoned Serpens Sector, a region of space reached through a wormhole near Earth. Each star system you visit brings you an encounter with something – aliens, ancient ruins, other humans and many dangers. The map and encounters are chosen at random for each game, which means that each game plays out differently.

Author releases new previews every once in a while and he is very interested in any feedback – so once you’ve tried it out, head over to the developer’s forum and tell him what you think – or use the feedback form. You can also follow the game’s development on Twitter.

The base game will be free and there will be expansion packs for sale. The 1.0 version of the game is scheduled to be released later this year, and will be available for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.

Space Exploration: Serpens Sector Development Preview 10 Released

Metal Beetle Ltd has released a new preview version of Space Exploration: Serpens Sector, its upcoming RPG. The new preview is available from http://www.metalbeetle.com/spaceexploration/download.php.

This preview features an improved combat mode where you can use planets for cover, navigate past dangerous asteroid fields, hack enemy spaceships, and partake in fleet battles. The game now also contains music by Rozovian, a choice of difficulty levels, and more fleshed-out interactions with the crew of your ship, who will give you advice and sometimes pursue their own agendas.

Space Exploration: Serpens Sector is a role-playing game based on classics like Starflight and Star Control. You are tasked with exploring the mysterious Serpens Sector after a long period of human absence. Each game has a different map and a different set of encounters, drawn from a large list. The base game will be free, and purchasable expansions will add further encounters for those who enjoy the game and want to see more.

The game is still under development, but preview versions are available for download, and player feedback is very much encouraged. While the basic elements of the game engine are present, the game is still being refined, and a lot of content is yet to be added. The next preview release, dev 10, will focus on improved space combat.

The game has been under development since late 2007 and is slated to be released in 2010. The first expansion will be released simultaneously.

Space Exploration: Serpens Sector is under development by Metal Beetle Ltd, a small UK-based software company.

Thanks to David Stark for sending us the news.