Where to get it

Steam

2014 · Double Fine · Indie · Real-time strategy

Spacebase DF-9

In Spacebase DF-9, you'll build a home among the stars for a motley population of humans and aliens as they go about their daily lives. Mine asteroids, discover derelicts, and deal with the tribulations of galactic resettlement in Earth's distant future.

Released: 27 October 2014
Platforms: Linux Windows macOS
Genres: Indie Real-time strategy Simulation Space simulator Strategy
Developers: Double Fine
Publishers: Double Fine
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: Bird view / Isometric
Themes: Science fiction
Country: United States
Languages: English
Time to beat: 6.5hmain story10hcompletionist

About

Spacebase DF-9 is a space simulator video game developed by Double Fine Productions. It was prototyped during Double Fine's open Amnesia Fortnight 2012, directed by JP Lebreton. After being released as an open beta on October 15, 2013, it was officially released on October 27, 2014, for Microsoft Windows, OS X, and Linux. After the official end-of-life of the game in May 2015, the community took over the development based on an open-source code fork. The community fork of this game has also since been abandoned, the last update Patch v1.09 Unofficial - Jan 16, 2023 marking the end of community-accepted contributions.

Players say

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The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

The player designs, builds and maintains a space station, and must keep its inhabitants happy while fending off alien threats.

Development

Spacebase DF-9 was one of several ideas presented for voting for Double Fine's Amnesia Fortnight 2012 project, where users would be able to vote for the game concepts they felt they would want to play the most. Spacebase DF-9 was an idea presented by designer-programmer JP LeBreton. The title received the second most votes and was one of five other titles that Double Fine stated they would develop into full games. A full commercial version of the game was announced on October 15, 2013, with an alpha version being available to purchase through Steam Early Access.

Double Fine announced on September 17, 2014 that the full game would be released in October 2014. In addition, they promised to release the game's Lua source code to allow the community to develop new content and features independently.

Reception

Spacebase DF-9 has a 46/100 Metacritic score. IGN gave the game a 6.8/10 score and commented: "Spacebase DF-9 is charming, and its random events give you more to do and worry about than something like Banished. However, it lacks the depth and polish needed to make the tasks of expansion and crisis management go smoothly."

Releases by platformdates and regions as published

Platform	Released	Regions
LinuxEarly Access	15 October 2013	Worldwide · Worldwide 27 October 2014
macOSEarly Access	15 October 2013	Worldwide · Worldwide 27 October 2014
WindowsEarly Access	15 October 2013	Worldwide · Worldwide 27 October 2014