Moonbase Alpha is a simulation video game developed by Army Game Studio in conjunction with NASA Learning Technologies. The game became popular due to its text to speech engine, allowing players to type in words and repeat them in a robotic voice. However, the Moonbase Alpha text to speech software has more famous roots than its use in video games.
The TTS feature has been used for comedic purposes and for creating humorous content while playing the game.
In this article, we’ll explore Moonbase Alpha’s text to speech and how you can use it to develop strange songs or give your voice a nostalgic vibe.
NASA’s video game: Moonbase Alpha
In July 2010, the popular video game platform Steam released Moonbase Alpha, a revolutionary real-time video game from NASA. This simulation of a lunar landscape allows players to embark on their adventures of colonization, exploration, and research. In addition, players can use the text to speech system throughout the game to communicate.
The game is named after NASA’s outpost at the moon’s south pole, and takes place there.
The outpost’s self-sufficiency is achieved by inventive regolith processing and renewable solar energy sources. Players got to experience the rush of playing Moonbase Alpha, where users take on the role of astronauts exploring the moon.
Teams work together to beat time-sensitive tasks such as setting up oxygen equipment, robotic repair tools, and rovers before they reach their ultimate goal.
What is Moonbase Alpha text to speech?
The Moonbase Alpha game uses a text to speech program called DECTalk, a program that built the foundation for TTS voice assistive technology.
The voice-over machine can read typed words or phrases in a robotic voice, and was developed by Digital Equipment Corporation in the 1980s.
DECTalk was made famous by Stephen Hawking himself, who used the technology to communicate as his ALS progressed.
With Moonbase Alpha, DecTalk’s notoriety comes from giving players a way to communicate through text, even in different areas of the moonbase.
For example, when using the text to speech feature, users can type in words or sentences, and they will come back in a robotic voice. Since then, technology has allowed innovators to use a TTS engine for other applications.
How can I use the Moonbase Alpha text to speech voice?
Using the DECTalk text to speech, Hawking could communicate using a couple of fingers and his cheek muscles. While developers created a version of the software for the game, a version came out for Microsoft Windows too.
At the time, all you needed to do was type in the words you wanted the game to say, enable the TTS setting to read aloud, and press enter.
Additionally, many online guides provide instructions on how to use the TTS engine more effectively. Synthetic voices similar to DECTalk are available in many online TTS tools like Typecast. Users can adjust the voice’s speed and add special effects.
Creating Moonbase Alpha text to speech songs
There’s another use for the Moonbase Alpha text to speech feature: creating Moonbase Alpha text to speech songs.
As seen in the popular YouTube video by motdef and ABadFeeling, creating songs with DECTalk is possible, albeit a bit strange.
However, by putting together some of the robotic phrases and tones, you could be one step closer to creating Moonbase Alpha text to speech songs.
With the help of Typecast, anyone can type in lyrics or their own words and then use a voice similar to the Moonbase Alpha text to speech voice to sing them.
So not only can you create your songs, but you can also record and share them with others. With Typecast, you can make perfect synthetic voice recordings for silly and fun songs.
What are some other uses for the Moonbase Alpha text to speech voice?
Anyone can use the TTS engine for more than just creating funny messages while playing Moonbase Alpha.
They can also use it for educational purposes, such as creating “read to me,” audiobooks or read-aloud articles that provide accessibility options for people with disabilities.
Additionally, anyone can use it to deliver narration for videos and other media projects requiring a futuristic but nostalgic feel.
Use Typecast to create your own valuable or viral content
Moonbase Alpha’s text to speech feature provides an entertaining way of interacting with the game. Still, anyone can also use similar TTS tools for educational purposes and accessibility options. With its easy-to-use interface and adjustable settings, anyone can use this powerful tool.
Give your content the edge it needs with AI-based text reader and voice synthesizer technology, and ensure you are one step ahead of everyone else.
So don’t wait – get creative with Typecast and start creating valuable or viral content today.
