Green Planet Dev Diary #1: Terraforming

[Azurespecter]

As a second bonus to today's Dev Diary, we have the results of our recent poll to name the upcoming animal pack DLC, which releases alongside Green Planet!

The four nominations were:

1. Moo Moo Pack
2. Pet Project
3. New Pastures
4. Project Laika

And the winner is...

Surviving Mars: Project Laika

Named after the first animal in space, Laika was a stray part-husky, part-terrier, female dog from the streets of Moscow. During the Space Race between the USA and Soviet Union, scientists were unsure if humans could actually survive the weightlessness of space. So an animal test was seen as pivotal in understanding the effects of space flight on a living being.

On November 3rd, 1957 the Sputnik 2 rocket was launched into outer space, carrying Laika, which became the first animal to orbit the Earth. Unfortunately, during the ascension into space, the craft took damage and the thermal control system malfunctioned. Although Laika survived in Space and records show she was healthy, within 5-7 hours Laika had passed away.

Laika is memorialised as a monument in Star City, Russia, the Russian Cosmonaut training facility.

And now we memorialize her legacy for the upcoming Surviving Mars animal pack DLC - Project Laika

 

[Alien-47]

I want to play this DLC SO MUCH! I don't think there is a game that simulates terraforming from this point of view. Thank you for finally adding it!

 

[Azurespecter]

We appreciate the discussion @Zhon Daeli and it is something that we discussed internally. I also personally read a lot of public comments on our social media when the community suggested Laika (it was independently proposed on EVERY social media account we have) - in order to understand the sentiment of why they wanted to name the pack after Laika

I'd like to share a few points:

1. I'd be interested in your sources, as when I did my own research I found a LOT of discrepancies in reports about Laika. Some mentioned animal cruelty, some specifically stated that she was well taken care of. In an era where there was a lot of propaganda against Russia, it's hard to tell fact from fiction
   
   
2. It is true that Laika was sent to her death, but it wasn't out of human curiosity - rather, space flight and the associated leaps in technology that came from it were "a giant leap for mankind" and that is the reason why Laika's death was necessary, and is honored to this day
   
   
3. We do NOT advocate nor honor animal cruelty in any form. However, we can't change the past, only advocate for better treatment of animals in the future. In that sense, we think naming a pet/animal pack after Laika is fitting. In a way, it brings awareness to Laika and can be a tool in promoting better treatment of animals

I hope that our reasoning is understandable to you, and even if we disagree that you feel respected in your opinion. We really do appreciate you sharing them!