View source for Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime

{{Use American English|date=June 2014}}{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
| image = File:Lovers in a dangerous Spacetime logo.jpeg
| caption =
| developer = Asteroid Base
| publisher = Asteroid Base
| producer = Jamie Tucker
| designer = Matt Hammill<br/>Jamie Tucker<br/>Adam Winkels
| programmer = Adam Winkels<br/>Jamie Tucker
| composer = Ryan Henwood
| artist = Matt Hammill
| engine = [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/187772/Road_to_the_IGF_Lovers_in_a_Dangerous_Spacetime.php |title=Road to the IGF: Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime |last=Cifaldi |first=Frank |date=13 March 2013 |publisher=Gamasutra |access-date=29 April 2017}}</ref>
| platforms = [[Linux]], [[Microsoft Windows]], [[OS X]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[Nintendo Switch]],  [[Xbox One]]
| released = {{Unbulleted list|'''Microsoft Windows''', '''Linux''', '''OS X''', '''Xbox One'''|September 9, 2015|'''PlayStation 4'''|February 9, 2016|'''Nintendo Switch'''|October 3, 2017}}
| genre = [[Action game|Action]], [[Platform game|platform]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
}}
'''''Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime''''' is a [[space shooter]] [[video game]]<ref name="kotakuNarcisse">{{Cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/lovers-in-a-dangerous-spacetime-the-kotaku-review-1729873767 |title=Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime: The Kotaku Review |last=Narcisse |first=Evan |date=10 September 2015 |website=Kotaku |access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref> developed by Asteroid Base for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[OS X]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[Linux]], [[Xbox One]], and [[Nintendo Switch]]. The project is part of the [[ID@Xbox]] program.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/idxbox-asteroid-base-and-lovers-dangerous-spacetime/ |title=ID@Xbox: Asteroid Base and Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime |last=Skrebels  |first=Joe |date=19 March 2015 |website=[[GamesRadar]] |publisher=Asteroidbase.com |access-date=29 April 2017}}</ref> The game's title is a reference to the [[Bruce Cockburn]] song "[[Lovers in a Dangerous Time]]".
==Gameplay==
The game can be played alone or with two to four players. The players pilot a spaceship with a variety of stations located inside it. These stations control the ship's weapons, engine, [[energy shield|shield]], Yamato cannon, and map. Each player controls only a single avatar (as well as commanding the AI pet in single-player mode), and thus must constantly move from station to station in order to balance flying the ship, protecting it from damage, and attacking enemies. During the course of gameplay, gift boxes can be discovered which may contain gems. These gems can be attached to the stations, giving them new, enhanced powers.
The game consists of four campaigns; each contains four levels and a [[boss fight]]. The goal of the regular levels is to find and rescue an assortment of captured creatures including bunnies, frogs, foxes, and ducks. After capturing five such creatures in a level, a heart-shaped portal to the next level is unlocked and the players may enter it to complete the level. A few levels feature an alternative gameplay mode in which a special engine is attached to the ship which the players must protect as it warps the ship to a new area. Up to ten creatures may be rescued per level. Creatures saved count towards improving the effectiveness of the ship by allowing two gems per station or unlocking new ship layouts.
==Development==
Designer Matt Hammill described the development of ''Lovers'' as "almost an accident", having wanted to create a game for a game jam that "was supposed to be this small three-day thing".<ref name="Katamari">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/08/what-is-lovers-in-a-dangerous-spacetime |title=What is Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime? |last=Campbell |first=Collin |date=8 February 2013 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=29 April 2017}}</ref> However, after the jam was over the development team wanted to continue on with the concept.<ref name="Katamari" /> The team sought to avoid "default gunmetal, chrome, cyberpunk textured-look", with Hammill stating that they wanted to go in the opposite direction.<ref name="Katamari" /> The team focused on a brighter aesthetic based on such sources as ''[[Sailor Moon]]'' and ''[[Katamari Damacy]]''.<ref name="Katamari" />
''Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime'' was showcased in July 2013 at [[PAX Prime]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/pax10-list-of-outstanding-indie-games-announced/ |title=PAX 10 list of outstanding indie games announced |last=Birnbaum |first=Ian |date=30 July 2013 |website=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=1 May 2017}}</ref>  The game was released for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[OS X]], [[Linux]], and [[Xbox One]] on September 9, 2015.<ref name="destructoid">{{Cite web |url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-lovers-in-a-dangerous-spacetime-309747.phtml |title=Review: Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime |last=Whitaker |first=Jed |date=8 September 2015 |website=[[Destructoid]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603111101/https://www.destructoid.com/review-lovers-in-a-dangerous-spacetime-309747.phtml |archive-date=3 June 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2017}}</ref>
By 2016, the developers added 4-player co-op on top of the original 2-player co-op mode.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/06/21/lovers-in-a-dangerous-spacetime-introduces-4-player-co-op/213468/ |title=Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime Introduces 4 Player Co-Op |last=Whittaker |first=Matt |date=21 June 2016 |website=HardcoreGamer |access-date=1 May 2017}}</ref>
== Release ==
''Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime'' was released on September 9, 2015, for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Xbox One]], [[OS X]], and [[Linux]],<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/lovers_in_a_dangerous_spacetime/b/xboxone/archive/2015/08/18/feel-the-love-in-the-lovers-in-a-dangerous-spacetime-release-trailer.aspx |title=Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime |last=McAloon |first=Alissa |date=18 August 2015 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603110759/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/lovers_in_a_dangerous_spacetime/b/xboxone/archive/2015/08/18/feel-the-love-in-the-lovers-in-a-dangerous-spacetime-release-trailer.aspx |archive-date=3 June 2017 |url-status=dead |access-date=3 June 2017}}</ref><ref name="destructoid" /> and on October 3, 2017, for [[Nintendo Switch]].<ref>{{cite tweet |user=AsteroidBase |number=910493126439194624 |date=20 September 2017 |title= Spread the love and share the Joy-Cons! LOVERS IN A DANGEROUS SPACETIME launches on Nintendo Switch on October 3!}}</ref>
In February 2016, Asteroid Base teamed up with the monthly subscription box service [[IndieBox]] to create an exclusive, custom-designed, physical release of the game. This limited collector's edition included, among others, a themed [[USB flash drive]] with [[Digital rights management|DRM]]-free copy of the game, the original soundtrack on [[Compact disc|CD]], a [[Steam (service)|Steam]] key (downloadable on Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms), and various collectibles.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.asteroidbase.com/news/lovers-in-a-box/ |title=Lovers in a box! |last=Hammill |first=Matt |date=3 February 2016 |website=AsteroidBase.com |publisher=[[Asteroid Base]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603112306/http://www.asteroidbase.com/news/lovers-in-a-box/ |archive-date=3 June 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=3 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.geek.com/geek-culture/indiebox-double-unboxing-lovers-in-a-dangerous-spacetime-and-assault-android-cactus-1652008/ |title=Indiebox Double Unboxing: Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime and Assault Android Cactus |last=Greenwald |first=Will |date=11 April 2016 |website=Geek.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603112507/https://www.geek.com/geek-culture/indiebox-double-unboxing-lovers-in-a-dangerous-spacetime-and-assault-android-cactus-1652008/ |archive-date=3 June 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=3 June 2017}}</ref>
''Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime'' became free to members on [[Xbox Live Gold]] in February 2017 and to members on [[PS Plus]] in April 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2017/03/29/ps-plus-free-games-for-april-2017/ |title=PS Plus: Free Games for April 2017 |last=Hallahan |first=James |date=29 March 2017 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]] |access-date=29 April 2017}}</ref>
==Reception==
''Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime'' received positive reviews from critics.  Aggregate review website [[Metacritic]] assigned a score of 82/100 for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/lovers-in-a-dangerous-spacetime/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one|title=Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime for Xbox One Reviews|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|accessdate=1 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/lovers-in-a-dangerous-spacetime/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4|title=Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime for PlayStation 4 Reviews|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|accessdate=1 May 2017}}</ref> and a score of 80/100 for the PC versions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/lovers-in-a-dangerous-spacetime/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime for PC Reviews|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|accessdate=1 May 2017}}</ref>
Simon Parkin from ''[[Eurogamer]]'', playing the PC version, recommended the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-09-09-lovers-in-a-dangerous-spacetime-review |title=Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime review |last=Parkin |first=Simon |work=[[Eurogamer]] |date=9 September 2015 |accessdate=1 May 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911222007/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-09-09-lovers-in-a-dangerous-spacetime-review |archivedate=11 September 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Destructoid]]'' awarded it a score of 10 out of 10, saying {{sic|"If you've got a loved one to play with, do yourselves a favor and play this game as soon as possible, you won't regret your lovely journey through space."}}<ref name="destructoid" />
== Awards and nominations ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Award
! Presented by
! Result
|-
| 2014
| Best Gameplay<ref name="big" />
| Brazil's Independent Games Festival
| {{Won}}
|-
| 2014
| Best Game<ref name="big" >{{Cite web |url=http://www.asteroidbase.com/news/big-festival-win/ |title=BIG Festival Win! |last=Tucker |first=Jamie |date=20 May 2014 |website=AsteroidBase.com |publisher=[[Asteroid Base]] |access-date=28 April 2017}}</ref>
| Brazil's Independent Games Festival
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| 2013
| Excellence In Visual Art<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.igf.com/2013 |title=Independent Games Festival 2013 |website=IGF.com |access-date=2016-02-23}}</ref>
| [[Independent Games Festival]]
| {{Nominated}}
|}
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.loversinadangerousspacetime.com/}}
{{Portal bar|Video games|border=yes}}
[[Category:2015 video games]]
[[Category:Action games]]
[[Category:Linux games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:MacOS games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Switch games]]
[[Category:Platformers]]
[[Category:PlayStation 4 games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Canada]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Xbox One games]]
[[Category:Video games with co-operative vehicle control]]