Hey Aurochnauts! 🧑🚀 We are delighted to have Mars Horizon be part of SimFest 2026 and to celebrate, the game is discounted 70% from now until the 27th of July! 🙌 Be sure to check out SimFest 2026 for the latest and greatest simulation games. There are plenty of discounts, dem
Hey Aurochnauts! 🧑🚀
We are delighted to have Mars Horizon be part of SimFest 2026 and to celebrate, the game is discounted 70% from now until the 27th of July! 🙌
Be sure to check out SimFest 2026 for the latest and greatest simulation games. There are plenty of discounts, demos, and delightful games to check out.
Hi Aurochnauts! 🧑🏻🚀 Have you played the Test Mission demo for Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life yet? If you have, we would like to hear your thoughts via a recently published feedback survey for the demo . The results from this survey would greatly benefit the Mars Horizon
We are also running a giveaway in conjunction with this survey and everyone who completes the feedback form is eligible to enter. One winner will win £25 worth of Steam vouchers. Please read the introduction of the survey for details on how to enter and full terms and conditions.
Hi Aurochnauts! 🧑🏻🚀 The development team at Auroch Digital has been hard at work behind the scenes, and we’re excited to provide you with a development update for Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life . First up is some news that we know you’ll be disappointed about; we're movi
Hi Aurochnauts! 🧑🏻🚀
The development team at Auroch Digital has been hard at work behind the scenes, and we’re excited to provide you with a development update for Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life.
First up is some news that we know you’ll be disappointed about; we're moving the release date into 2026. As much as we’d love to get the game in your hands sooner, we believe in making the right game at the right quality level. A game that we can be proud of, and know you’ll enjoy.
Mars Horizon 2: The Search for life has gone through a lot of iteration and refining throughout its development and we’re confident that you’ll love where the project is going. However, you don’t just have to take our word for it, you can play the game today.
In this first public gameplay demo for Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life, players will take on the role of a space agency Director and lead a test mission to search the surface of Mars. Deploy research rovers, construct rockets, and build a vast network of infrastructure to make your mark on the red planet. Play the demo NOW
We hope that Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life – Test Mission will provide a good insight of what we’ve been working on and a taste of what awaits you in the full game. If you’re looking to get involved in the Mars Horizon community and wish to discuss what you found or experienced on Mars in Test Mission, then head over to our Discord server and share your stories with fellow Directors. We also want to hear what you think of the demo so please be sure to leave a review on the demo page.
We have so much more to share with you all on Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life. We are excited to see the community get their hands on the game and can’t wait to hear what you think.
Thank you for being part of the Mars Horizon community. 🧡
Hey Aurochnauts! 🧑🏻🚀 Mars Horizon is pleased to be part of Simfest ! Between the 17th and 28th of July, this festival celebrates all-things related to simulation games. 🙌🏻 Joining Mars Horizon in Simfest, Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life and Brewmaster: Beer Brewing Simu
Hey Aurochnauts! 🧑🏻🚀
Mars Horizon is pleased to be part of Simfest! Between the 17th and 28th of July, this festival celebrates all-things related to simulation games. 🙌🏻
We are proud to have Mars Horizon participating in the GamesAid Steam sale ! The sale is live and runs until the 3rd of March. Money raised from the event will go towards GamesAid and the fantastic work they do for other charities based in the United Kingdom. Mars Horizon 2: The
We are proud to have Mars Horizon participating in the GamesAid Steam sale! The sale is live and runs until the 3rd of March.
Money raised from the event will go towards GamesAid and the fantastic work they do for other charities based in the United Kingdom.
Hi Aurochnauts! 🚀 We’re delighted to bring you a brand-new trailer for Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life , containing a wide variety of the latest in-game shots and a taste of what you can expect from the game. We've teamed up with Charlie Pryor, who is a big fan of Mars Horiz
We’re delighted to bring you a brand-new trailer for Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life, containing a wide variety of the latest in-game shots and a taste of what you can expect from the game.
We've teamed up with Charlie Pryor, who is a big fan of Mars Horizon, as shown in his wonderful playthrough of it. He has shared our latest Mars Horizon 2 trailer on his channel. Go check it out! If you're a big fan of the original Mars Horizon, we can thoroughly recommend his playthrough of the first game. It's an epic adventure! 🙌🏻
Thanks for all the support Charlie, we're thrilled about how much you enjoyed the original and are looking forward to the sequel!
New to Mars Horizon 2: the Search for Life? In Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life, you decide where in the Solar System to investigate, and the approach you’ll take to make a ground-breaking discovery before your rivals do. Explore the surface of planets/moons, overcome hazards, and investigate the curiosities of the Solar System.
We’ll have more news soon but, until then, keep watching the skies! ✨
We are delighted to have Mars Horizon participating in the Great Ormond Street Hospital and Team 17 Steam sale! 🚀 The sale runs from the 17th through to the 24th of February. Money raised from the event will go towards helping Great Ormond Street Hospital and all the terrific wo
Money raised from the event will go towards helping Great Ormond Street Hospital and all the terrific work they do. 🙌🏻
Mars Horizon has a 75% discount, so be sure to pick it up if you haven’t already! In addition to this, Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life is also taking part, so check that out, too.
Thanks to both Great Ormond Street Hospital and Team 17 for including us in the event. 💜 Check out the sale!
When you think of sounds in space, what do you think of? Is it the edge of your seat orchestral scores from Star Wars battles, the peaceful hums from the USS Enterprise, or perhaps it’s the sound of silence as planets rotate around the sun? 🪐 Whatever you think of, it’s somethin
When you think of sounds in space, what do you think of? Is it the edge of your seat orchestral scores from Star Wars battles, the peaceful hums from the USS Enterprise, or perhaps it’s the sound of silence as planets rotate around the sun? 🪐 Whatever you think of, it’s something we thought a lot about in the original Mars Horizon and look to build on in Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life.
In this blog, we will be reflecting on the video game audio design of Mars Horizon, what we learned from that title, and what players can expect in terms of sound design from the sequel. This is also a great piece to learn more about video game audio design in general, if you’re wondering how to get a job in game sound design. We spoke to Auroch Digital’s Senior Audio Designer, Matt Walker (He/Him), as he has lead the game sound design on both Mars Horizon titles. 🎧
Our First Horizon – The Music of Mars Horizon 1
With Mars Horizon being our first giant leap into a dedicated space-based title, we were discovering things for the very first time, as Matt explains with his approach to the games sound design:
“In Mars Horizon, there wasn't huge scope to do much dynamically - much of the player’s time is spent within the Solar System as they look to branch their way through the ages and decades, advancing their pursuit of landing on Mars first.
“But to support this sense of progression as the player reaches a new era in space travel, they unlock a new layer to the vertically stacked music cues. This small system starts out very passive, almost independently a drone – but, by the time the player reaches the latter stages of the game, they'll [hopefully] not notice, but feel a greater sense of growth and layering as the supporting music cues are now awash with orchestral layers and textures that previously weren't there.”
“The Mars Horizon soundtrack is a digital orchestra, one that I believe is quite convincing. Many articulations can be worked and manipulated to suit a cue, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with taking advantage of the digital aspects of such a tool.
“One of the main takeaways from that development cycle are to never overlook UI (user interface) audio design - it's intrinsically vital to flow and player communication. The UI audio didn't see as much attention due to several factors, but it's an imbalance that won't be overlooked again.”
The Process Behind Recording
A game has so many audio cues, whether it be in the main menu, loading screen, or via the many interactions the player can make while playing the main part of the game. But what goes into creating these various sounds of a game? Matt shares some parts of his process for recording audio content for games:
“The 'process' of producing sound effects (SFX), ambiences and music cues etc for games can differ greatly from one project to the next. My process often riffs on playing a build of the game [or portion of it] as early as possible, and then continually with each subsequent update. All this early experience helps to inform the live decision making I'll be doing when I get to my digital audio workstation to progress work.
“Ultimately, any audio 'bed' in support of a screen or feature mustn't overstep its place in the mix, as the player will be making decisions and being communicated with via UI and other SFX. Ambiences will always have a skeleton of low, low-mid, mid, and high elements that make up the asset. These are mixed to suit any design behaviours that are to sit above it, without over-powering the player with unnecessary frequencies and additions.”
Feeling Inspired to Go Beyond the Horizon
With decades of sci-fi iconic sounds from video games and other forms of entertainment, what are some of the musical and sound influences behind Mars Horizon and for Matt Walker in general? As video game players, we all have our favourite soundtracks, but what are some of the scores that Matt looks to for inspiration? He says:
“For me, Mars Horizon's musical identity has always characterized the triumphs and risks undertaken by not only those in the cockpit, but more specifically those operating behind the curtain. It's about those skilled people and their families.
“As for all other SFX and general audio direction, 'Surviving Mars' and 'Frostpunk' were drawn from to capture their 'working/moving parts' tone - such tremendous game audio design, and very satisfying to interact with.
“The Mars Horizon 2 audio design looks to build upon everything established in the previous game, but more specifically the Civilization titles and even as far as the more recent XCOM games both offer lovely reference points from which to draw inspiration.”
The Sounds of Space - Mars Horizon 2 Ambience and Music Video
To tie in with the Sounds of Space blog, we have also released a one-hour ambient music video to unwind to. The video features the entire Mars Horizon soundtrack, from Matt Walker himself, as well as alpha footage from the Solar System in Mars Horizon 2.
Witness the rotation periods of many planets across the galaxy alongside the varied and atmospheric soundtrack from 2020’s Mars Horizon. If you wish to own a copy of the soundtrack, it can be purchased on Steam.
The video has been assembled to help viewers relax, study, or escape their day-to-day lives and spend some time getting lost among the stars. Witness breath-taking views of various planets in our Solar System, as well as asteroid belts and moons.
Mars Horizon saw players landing on the red planet but, in Mars Horizon 2, you will be going even further and exploring various planetary surfaces in the search for life. We hope this video helps to create a peaceful backdrop for your daily activities and gives you peace of mind. _______________________________________________________
What Players Can Expect in 2025
With the news that Mars Horizon 2 will now release in 2025, players will have to wait a little longer before they explore the solar system and search for life. In the meantime, Matt has shared what players can anticipate from the game audio design:
“Players can expect a natural extension from the original Mars Horizon. The intention was never to deviate far from what is great about the original - only build upon it and perhaps iron out creases following that original development cycle. I really feel Mars Horizon 2 offers a more robust and varied player experience with regards to audio design, all offering and adding to a gameplay loop that is fun with a sense of feeling.
“Mechanically, the game audio design is more granular than before and I've been a part of its implementation right from the start, whereas during the original Mars Horizon my contributions were evolving.”
We’ll have more news to share on what players can expect in 2025 in the new year. We can’t wait to share more information with you all. Keep watching the skies! ✨
Hi Aurochnauts! 👨🏻🚀 Mars Horizon is part of Cozy Quest, a Steam Festival run by our friends at Secret Mode! This festival takes place 14th-18th November and also features Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life, as well as our brewing title – Brewmaster: Beer Brewing Simulator. S
Hi Aurochnauts! 👨🏻🚀
Mars Horizon is part of Cozy Quest, a Steam Festival run by our friends at Secret Mode! This festival takes place 14th-18th November and also features Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life, as well as our brewing title – Brewmaster: Beer Brewing Simulator.
Speaking of discounts, if you have been holding off on buying Mars Horizon, the game has a 70% discount until the 18th. Now is your time to head to the Space Station and try to reach Mars before your rival agencies do! In addition to this discount, Brewmaster: Beer Brewing Simulator will also be discounted, too. 🚀 🍻
Cozy Quest highlights a wide variety of relaxing games that you can take at your own pace. From established cozy games, which feature various discounts, to the games which you can look forward to playing in the future, Cozy Quest has so much going on!
Check out the festival via the banner on the Mars Horizon Steam page!
Hi Aurochnauts! 👨🏻🚀 We hope you’re having fun with Space Exploration Fest and are excited to see more about the sequel to Mars Horizon, our upcoming title Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life . To celebrate being part of the event we are sending out a Space Exploration Fest ne
To celebrate being part of the event we are sending out a Space Exploration Fest newsletter to our Mars Horizon Mailing list. In this newsletter we will be sharing exclusive new screenshots of Mars Horizon 2. As if the exclusive content wasn’t enough, we will also be providing everyone who is subscribed a free Mars Horizon gift, so be sure you don’t miss out on that either! 🎁
Sign up to the newsletter here
Being subscribed to the Mars Horizon 2 mailing list means that you’ll be kept up to date with the game’s latest updates, demos, and other news. 🚀
ICYMI - We released a brand new trailer!
If you haven't seen it already, make sure to check out our newest trailer for Mars Horizon 2. This is a Developer Spotlight trailer which gives our devs a chance to tell you first hand about their approach to making the game. We are really proud of how the game is shaping up!
We hope you enjoy what we have to show for Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life during Space Exploration Fest!
Hi Aurochnauts! 👨🏻🚀 We are delighted to be part of Steam’s Space Exploration Fest, which runs 2nd – 9th Sept. The festival celebrates a wide variety of space-themed titles, two of which are Mars Horizon and Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life .🎉 In addition to a discount on
Hi Aurochnauts! 👨🏻🚀
We are delighted to be part of Steam’s Space Exploration Fest, which runs 2nd – 9th Sept. The festival celebrates a wide variety of space-themed titles, two of which are Mars Horizon and Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life.🎉
In addition to a discount on the original Mars Horizon, fans will be able to see and hear from the developers of Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life about what they've been working on in a brand-new trailer. This trailer reflects on the first game, where we wanted to go in the sequel, some of our development team's favourite aspects, inspirations behind certain elements, and more! 🙌🏻 You can view the trailer here.
We will also have something else to show off later this week during Space Exploration Fest as well as a free gift to all people signed up to our Mars Horizon newsletter, so make sure you are signed up to our mailing list so you don’t miss out! 👀
Hi Aurochnauts! 👨🏻🚀 With Gamescom taking place in Cologne, Germany, this week, our partners for both Mars Horizon and Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life , the European Space Agency (ESA), are present at the show with their own space-themed booth in Hall 10.2! 🙌🏻 During the
Hi Aurochnauts! 👩🚀 Last week we took part in TactiCon 2024 , a Steam festival celebrating strategy games which included demos, sales, as well as panels and talks by devs. As part of the event we did a talk with one of our partners for Mars Horizon 2: The Search for life , the
Hi Aurochnauts! 👩🚀
Last week we took part in TactiCon 2024, a Steam festival celebrating strategy games which included demos, sales, as well as panels and talks by devs.
As part of the event we did a talk with one of our partners for Mars Horizon 2: The Search for life, the sequel to Mars Horizon! This talk went behind the scenes on the game and looked at how we are making it authentic from the ground up, much like we did with Mars Horizon.
Our talk was led by our Lead Marketing Manager Will Flanagan with guests Claudia Thomas, Game Designer, and Freddie Jones, Associate Programmer, on Mars Horizon 2.
Our Special guest for this talk was Dr Sean McMahon, senior academic and researcher in astrobiology from the University of Edinburgh who has been advising us on real life science as we design the game.
The talk went live last Saturday during the Steam event, but if you misssed it you can catch up over on the official TactiCon YouTube channel!
Watch our talk on Space Exploration in Strategy games
A huge thanks again to Sean, and the rest of his group at the UK Centre for Astrobiology for partnering with us to make Mars Horizon 2: The Search for life authentic to the realities of Space exploration!
Hi Aurochnauts! 👩🚀 TactiCon 2024 celebrates the incredible world of strategy games with discounted titles, exclusive demos, plus panels and talks with strategy developers! As part of this digital convention we've done a talk on Space Exploration in Strategy games with a guest
Hi Aurochnauts! 👩🚀
TactiCon 2024 celebrates the incredible world of strategy games with discounted titles, exclusive demos, plus panels and talks with strategy developers!
As part of this digital convention we've done a talk on Space Exploration in Strategy games with a guest from one of our partners for Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life. This is the sequel to Mars Horizon, any fans of our original game will not want to miss this!
Our talk is led by our Lead Marketing Manager Will Flanagan with guests Claudia Thomas, Game Designer, and Freddie Jones, Associate Programmer, on Mars Horizon 2.
Our Special guest is Dr Sean McMahon, senior academic and researcher in astrobiology from the University of Edinburgh.
During the development of Mars Horizon 2, we've been working closely with Sean and his team who have been advising us on a number of subjects as we look to incorporate realistic aspects of astrobiology into the game to maintain its authenticity. This talk will cover the challenges and solutions we've come up with during development.
After a long and prosperous voyage originally pioneered by Auroch Digital and The Irregular Corporation, Secret Mode is excited to announce that the original Mars Horizon is returning home to roost, with the publishing rights for the hit space management game transferring over to
After a long and prosperous voyage originally pioneered by Auroch Digital and The Irregular Corporation, Secret Mode is excited to announce that the original Mars Horizon is returning home to roost, with the publishing rights for the hit space management game transferring over to Secret Mode on all platforms.
For those of you looking for more updates about Auroch Digital and Secret Mode’s next venture – Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life, work on the much-anticipated sequel is progressing along at faster-than-light speeds, with new info expected to drop soon™. In fact, eagle-eyed astronomer types may have noticed that there’s been a few new tidbits to pore over on the game’s official Steam page. Check out the latest developer update for more and stay tuned for further updates in the very near future.
Mars Horizon is available on PC (Steam, GOG, EGS), PlayStation®4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch
Hello Aurochnauts, Delayed in orbit? Rest assured, the latest transmission from Digital Tabletop Fest 4: Roll of the Dice has arrived to keep you entertained! During the recent Steam festival we had a panel to discuss Mars Horizon 1 and Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life with ES
Tess and John from Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life were joined by European Space Agency experts, Alexia Mallet, Modelling and Simulation Engineer, and Pantelis Poulakis, Mission Project Manager discussing the risks and challenges with missions to Mars and how this real science translates to Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life.
The European Space Agency Panel - It’s Just Rocket Science – Risk in Real Life and in Games 🚀👨🏻🚀 As part of Digital Tabletop Fest 4: Roll of the Dice, Tess and John from Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life are joined in an exclusive panel by Alexia Mallet, Modelling and Simu
The European Space Agency Panel - It’s Just Rocket Science – Risk in Real Life and in Games 🚀👨🏻🚀
As part of Digital Tabletop Fest 4: Roll of the Dice, Tess and John from Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life are joined in an exclusive panel by Alexia Mallet, Modelling and Simulation Engineer, and Pantelis Poulakis, Mission Project Manager, from the European Space Agency (ESA).
Our guests will discuss a range of topics from the on-going mission to find life on Mars, and how real-life rocket science (and its challenges) play a part in the game design of Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life. Mark your calendars - this is one you don’t want to miss!
📆 Date: Sunday 10th March
⏰ Time: 7:00am PT | 10:00am PT | 1:00pm PT
Panelists
Moderators
John O'Donnell - Lead Designer at Auroch Digital - He/Him
Enter the Auroch Digital 13th Birthday giveaway 🎂 It’s Auroch Digital’s 13th birthday! 🎂 It’s been a wild and wonderful 13 years, we grown loads in that time, learned a lot, and released a load of great games. Check out our recent Birthday Blog Post to learn more about the hist
Enter the Auroch Digital 13th Birthday giveaway 🎂
It’s Auroch Digital’s 13th birthday! 🎂 It’s been a wild and wonderful 13 years, we grown loads in that time, learned a lot, and released a load of great games. Check out our recent Birthday Blog Post to learn more about the history of our studio and what we’ve been up to over the years. 🎉
To celebrate the fact that our studio is now old enough to have it’s own Steam account, we are doing a giveaway to our loyal Aurochnauts. Enter our giveaway and you could win a digital bundle of a bunch of Auroch Digital games from over the years.
The Auroch Digital Birthday Bundle prize includes:
But how do you enter this awesome Auroch Digital birthday giveaway? 🥳 All you need to do is sign up to our official Auroch Digital newsletter. We will be randomly selecting one lucky person, who is signed up to receive our monthly Auroch Digital newsletter, to win the Auroch Digital Birthday Bundle prize as a thank you for supporting us.
> > > SIGN UP TO THE NEWSLETTER AND ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE 📝 < < <
What is the Auroch Digital Newsletter about?
The Auroch Digital Newsletter comes out around the end of each month and is full of all the latest news about our studio including new game announcements, launches, beta and alpha invites, giveaways, jobs at the studio, as well as loads more exciting news. So by signing up you’ll get to stay up to date with all of our great goings, as well as be in with a chance to win the Auroch Digital Birthday Bundle prize.
Ts and Cs
The giveaway closes on 26th October at Midnight so make sure to sign up before then to be in with a chance to win. Please see here the giveaway terms and conditions. You can see the Auroch Digital Privacy Policy here for more info: Auroch Digital Privacy Policy
We are excited to announce that we are supporting WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation for World Oceans Day! The WDC World Oceans Day Sale starts today and runs until 15th June, 10am PDT 2023, and you can save a fin-tastic 50% off Mars Horizon 1 ! We will also donate 20% of our ne
We are excited to announce that we are supporting WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation for World Oceans Day!
The WDC World Oceans Day Sale starts today and runs until 15th June, 10am PDT 2023, and you can save a fin-tastic 50% off Mars Horizon 1! We will also donate 20% of our net profits to WDC to support their conservation work.*
Photo credit: Christopher Swann
WDC, Whale and Dolphin conservation is the leading global charity dedicated to the protection and conservation of whales and dolphins.
Their expert-led teams in the UK, Europe, the Americas, and Australasia work across the whole spectrum of threats, from climate breakdown to accidental entanglements in fishing gear. They bring together, and work hand-in-hand with, businesses, philanthropists, scientists, NGOs, governments and grassroots communities to find solutions to the problems faced by whales and dolphins.
Their aim is to reverse the global decline in whale and dolphin populations by:
Stopping cruelty from deliberate harms such as whaling and captivity.
Creating safe seas, free from the threat of pollution, collisions with vessels and accidental entanglement in fishing gear.
Winning recognition of whales and dolphins as sentient, socially complex beings, and our allies in the fight against climate and nature breakdown.
Whales and dolphins are awe-inspiring. They are intelligent beings, vital for the health of the ocean and planet. They have suffered from terrible harm - deliberate and accidental - and their homes and populations are under threat. But it's not too late.
Together we can still help them recover and flourish and they can help us reconnect with the wild, and repair the damage we have caused.
Thank you for joining us and for supporting WDC! 🐳
*20% of our net developer revenue from this sale will support WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation. Whale and Dolphin Conservation is a UK registered charity (no. 1014705)
In case you missed it: we at Auroch Digital announced the sequel to Mars Horizon last month! You, our community, are the driving force behind Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life . Without you, there would be no sequel to the first Mars Horizon . You all gave us such good feedback
You, our community, are the driving force behind Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life. Without you, there would be no sequel to the first Mars Horizon. You all gave us such good feedback on our first game - from the alpha to the full release, and all the surveys in between.
So that's why we'd like to ask for your input once more. We're currently running a survey where we’re looking for answers on what you would like to see in our new game Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life. We will also be asking about your gaming habits, and what you thought about Mars Horizon 1.
This survey will only take around 5 minutes of your time, maybe less, and they help us so much! To say thank you for your time, one lucky entrant will be selected to win a £25 Steam voucher, make sure you give us your email to be able to be entered!
Entries will close Monday 15th May 2023 at 11.59pm BST.
