The first major paid DLC for Haemimont’s Surviving Mars is now live, bringing the space race to denizens of the red planet. Focusing on rival colonies, Space Race introduces unique vehicles and buildings for sponsors, Japan and Brazil joining as new sponsors, and much more. Watch the release trailer below to see it all in action.

The gist of the DLC is to compete with other colonies, controlled by the AI, and attempt to rule Mars. Though you can steal colonists from your rivals, there are also options for trading, putting out distress calls, and even answering calls for help. Depending on the sponsor chosen, players will have different goals to complete.

Retailing for $12.99, Space Race will also add some new narrative events to challenge players. Those who haven’t tried the base game (which has received numerous updates since launch) can currently try it out for free on Steam. It’s also discounted by 30 percent, while the Season Pass is discounted by 25 percent. The offer ends on November 21st, so act fast.

Surviving Mars was a relatively new experience for Haemimont Games, as it branched out into space colonization, colony management, and narrative mysteries. Even if it was rough around the edges, the developer continued to support it, adding free content and other quality of life improvements. Check out the newest trailer below and discover why the game is “better than ever”.

Some of the updates and free content include new buildings, new game rules, new Dome shapes, Creative Mode, Follow mode, tutorials, and so much more. Three new mysteries – The Philosopher’s Stone, St. Elmo’s Fire, and Metatron – were added for free. The “Beyond | Sagan” update also brought 24 new challenges, variety in maps, and challenge ratings.

If that weren’t enough, the next update, “Beyond | Gagarin”, promises new Sponsors overview and goals, random events, planetary view with Anomalies, Vistas and research sites, and much more. Surviving Mars will also receive its first paid DLC, Space Race sometime in the future. That adds new countries like Japan and Brazil, new sponsors, sponsor challenges, and competition against rival colonies.

Colony builder/survival game Surviving Mars has received a number of free updates till now. However, the developer has now finally announced its first paid expansion, Space Race, which will deliver some new content and gameplay mechanics. Unlike the base game, Space Race will see various countries and corporations from Earth fighting over Mars.

Players will face off against AI-controlled colonies and can choose to trade with them or steal their colonists. It’s even possible to respond to their distress calls or request aid for yourself. Different milestones must be met, and each sponsor will have a unique set of challenges to complete.

Two new countries will also enter the fray, with Japan and Brazil, along with new sponsors and new narrative events. You also get a unique vehicle and building, depending on the sponsor, for a slight edge. Surviving Mars: Space Race doesn’t have a release date, but it will be “launching soon” for $12. Those who own the Season Pass will receive it as part of the package.