Welcome, Traveller! Did you know that each achievement in the game is a reference to a work of science fiction? This guide will help you discover them. -kzzzt-

Published in 1985 and written by Carl Sagan with assistance from Ann Druyan.

Contact tells the tale of Elle Arroway and the first contact with an alien intelligence. For those of you looking for a hard science fiction book based on actual scientific principles, this is it.

A movie adaptation was made in 1997, directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Jodie Foster.

Originally published in 1948 and written by John W. Campbell Jr.

A scientific outpost in Antarctica discovers an ancient horror. The crew must work together as they lose trust in each other. To say more would be to spoil things...

Two versions of the short story exist, one of 12 chapters and another of 14 chapters. A novel of a more recently discovered version was published as Frozen Hell: The Book That Inspired The Thing.

It is the inspiration for the films The Thing from Another World (1951), Horror Express (1972) and The Thing (1982) , directed by John Carpenter (which happens to be my favourite movie in the horror genre). A bit of trivia: The Thing is screened every year at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.

Written in 1949 by Fredric Brown.

We follow Keith Winton as his mundane life is turned into a real-life space opera.

It is one of the first "alternate universe" adventures to be published, known for its humour and satirical tone. If you were trapped in an alternate universe, would you really want to come back?

Written by Robert A. Heinlein over ten years and published in 1961.

It tells the tale of a Martian named Smith who returns to Earth and questions enough things to change them. The book was never intended as a guide, but to question things as they are; in Heinlein's own words, it is "an invitation to think - not to believe."

The book that influenced the creation of the waterbed also won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1962.

First published as Sentinel of Eternity in 1951, and written by Arthur C. Clarke, this short story is partly the inspiration behind 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Set in 1996, Wilson, an explorer on the moon discovers an indestructible pyramid. What function does it serve and who put it there?

The start of Isaac Asimov's Foundation series, first published in 1951.

Asimov wrote this series as if he were chronicling the end of a ancient space empire.

It has won the Hugo Award for Best All-Time Series in 1966.

Written in 1952 by Frederik Pohl and Cyril M. Kornbluth.

A satire with a hyper-developed consumerism, where advertising executives are the most powerful people on the planet. Mitch Courtenay is tasked with attracting colonists to Venus but is soon trapped in a tale of intrigue.

The Space Merchants is notable for bringing words and concepts such as "Soyburger", "R and D" and "muzak" into our common lexicon.

Written by Neal Stephenson and published in 1995.

A series of interconnecting tales in a world where nanotechnology affects everything. Artificial intelligence, social class and ethnicity clash in Nell's coming of age story involving her receiving an interactive book, the Young Lady's Illustrated Primer.

A short story published in March 1984 in Analog Science Fiction magazine, written by Lee Killough, and nominated in 1985 for a Hugo Best Short Story Award.

Cimela discovers what truly motivates people to explore outer space. Can you base a star culture on a lie?

In 1958 Robert A. Heinlein wrote a tale aimed at our more adolescent readers.

A high school senior wins a used spacesuit as a prize and it sends him on an extraordinary adventure, who ultimately faces judgement on behalf of his species.

Written by Iain M. Banks in 1990. It is part of the Culture series, a feature of which is that worlds and ships are controlled by sentient artificial intelligences known as Minds. Use of Weapons features a dual narrative, one going forward in time and the other going backwards.

A work that "explores the nature of morality, effectiveness and unintended consequences of political intervention, and even the process of decision-making in the face of uncertainty."

Nominated in 1991 for an Arthur C. Clarke Award.

Written by George O. Smith and published in 1949, it was distributed in 1952 to US military personnel.

Wikipedia states "[the] novel concerns Earthmen who are overwhelmed by alien invaders, whom they then attempt to conquer from within."

Written by Joe Haldeman, published in 1974.

The tale of Private Mandella as he is enlisted in humanity's first war with an extraterrestrial war, which thanks to the laws of relativity will last much, much longer than he anticipates.

Praised by Heinlein as "the best future war story [he's] ever read."

Written in 1951 by Isaac Asimov.

It is the tale of a space-faring conquering empire that discovers an ancient text, The American Constitution, and then becomes a space-faring repubic.

It is notoriously Asimov's least favorite novel.

Written by Poul Anderson in 1961, this tale won the Hugo Award for Best Short Story.

According to Wikipedia: "On a distant world the equivalent of the Age of Exploration is beginning. A party of daring explorers attempts to circumnavigate their world. In unknown waters they encounter an island civilization which claims to have a prophet who fell from the stars. "

Written by Arthur C. Clarke in 1968 but heavily influenced by some of his earlier tales.

A tale of monoliths, artificial intelligence, and interstellar travel.

It was written as the movie of the same name (directed by Stanley Kubrick) was being worked on but was released after the movie premiered.

Written by Philip K. ♥♥♥♥ in 1977. (Steam is censoring the author's name, but you can see it on the image).

A tale of drug addiction and shifting personalities.

It was developped into a 2006 movie by Richard Linklater and starring Keanu Reeves.

Written by Robert A. Heinlein in 1954 for younger readers.

A high school senior inherits a bizarre pet that turns out to be a lot more (and more trouble) than anyone can imagine.

Written by Kurt Vonnegut in 1985.

A million-year tale of humanities' evolution (or devolution) as witnessed by the son of Kilgore Trout.

Written by Samuel R. Delany in 1966.

A story about Rydra Wong, a starship captain who discovers the potential of Babel-17, a language that can change one's own thoughts processes. She is recruited by the government and soon discovers that there is a traitor operating from deep within...

Winner of the Nebula Award for Best Novel and nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1967,

Written by Jack Vance in 1958.

Planet Pao is invaded, and the inhabitants create three new languages to resist the invaders.

Although he is mostly known for The Dying Earth and it's influence on Dungeons and Dragons, The Languages of Pao remains one of his best works.

Written by Robert A. Heinlein in 1957 for adolescent audiences.

A tale of slavery and resistance, it is considered to be one of Heinlein's best works. It was adapted into a comic book in 2015.

Written by Arthur C. Clarke and Gentry Lee, published in 1988.

While Investigating a missing military missile, Carol Dawson and Dr. Dale Michaels discover a damaged alien ship.

This is the only achievement for which I have not been able to find the related work. I would appreciate any and all assistance in making this guide complete if you can share the knowledge, Traveller-Friend.

An Arthur C. Clarke short story

A very brief 2-page story. Humanity receives a communication from our divergent space-faring ancestors, and they are coming to meet with us.

An Arthur C. Clarke short story found in the collection The Other Side of the Sky.

Written in 1956 by Jack Vance.

In the near-utopian city of Clarges, immortality is available for those who make great contributions to society. Grayven Warlock has become a fugitive after a feud with another immortal has led to it's death. Now he seeks an accomplishment of sufficient notice to reinstate his position amongst the immortals.

A big thank you to Hello Games for making a fantastic gaming experience. Another thanks to the person on the Hello Games team who happens to be a science fiction fan and named the achievements.

Thank you to Dave Gibbons and James Swallow for developing the intricate lore behind the game.



Who am I, but a Player of Games? A Ghost in the Shell? A glitch in the Matrix?

I am the founder of Atlas Agency 16. You can find my support bases under the tag AA16. They are open to all Travellers who need resources for their journeys in Survival and Permadeath modes.

And I will see you all... in the future.