E.S.S. Mega

Last updated: January 23, 2026

Overview

E.S.S. Mega (European Space Simulator Mega) is a space shuttle simulation game developed by Coktel Vision and published by Tomahawk in 1991¹. The game stands as one of the most unique space simulations of its era, focusing exclusively on the European Space Agency’s vehicle concepts rather than the more commonly simulated NASA programs². According to French magazine Joystick, E.S.S. Mega holds the distinction of being one of the first PC games released on CD-ROM, with both disc and floppy versions made available simultaneously³.

The game utilizes 3D-modeled graphics to create a comprehensive space shuttle simulation experience that emphasizes micro-level decision-making over macro-level space program policies⁴. Players manage every aspect of space shuttle operations, from equipping vessels with cargo, crew, and fuel to piloting during launch, orbital operations, and landing procedures⁵. The simulated timeline spans from January 2010 to December 2013, presenting a near-future vision of European space exploration².

E.S.S. Mega represented an enhanced version of the original E.S.S. (European Space Simulator), which was released in 1989⁶. The “Mega” edition featured expanded content, and the CD-ROM version included over 200 MB of digitized photographs and video footage from actual space exploration archives, along with a 300 MB CD audio soundtrack⁷. The game has been described as “probably the most obscure game ever made by quirky French developer Coktel Vision” and “one of the rarest space simulations”⁸.

Game Info

Developer: Coktel Vision¹ Designer: Roland Oskian, François Nédélec¹ Publisher: Tomahawk¹ Engine: Custom 3D engine Platforms: MS-DOS, Atari ST, Amiga, CDTV² Release Year: 1991 Series: E.S.S. Protagonist: Space Program Director Sierra Lineage: Coktel Vision (Sierra subsidiary)

Story Summary

E.S.S. Mega places players in command of a European space program during the early 2010s, tasking them with managing all aspects of space shuttle operations and orbital infrastructure development². The game recreates the European Space Agency’s ambitious space vehicle concepts from the early 1990s, with particular emphasis on the Hermes Shuttle program that was then under development⁹.

The campaign spans a four-year period from January 2010 to December 2013, during which players must successfully execute numerous space missions². The narrative framework positions the player as a director responsible for building Europe’s presence in space through careful management of resources, personnel, and mission objectives. Unlike more arcade-oriented space games, E.S.S. Mega presents a methodical simulation of real spacecraft operations.

The game’s scenario reflects the optimistic projections of the late 1980s European space program, envisioning a future where ESA would operate its own reusable shuttle craft and maintain permanent orbital facilities⁹. Players work toward goals including satellite deployment, space station construction, and scientific experimentation in orbit. The setting provides both a strategic management challenge and an educational glimpse into the technical realities of spaceflight operations.

Gameplay

Interface and Controls

E.S.S. Mega features a mouse-driven interface that provides access to various mission control screens and piloting views¹. The game offers both first-person and third-person perspectives during flight sequences, allowing players to experience orbital operations from multiple viewpoints¹. The interface was designed to be more accessible than competing titles; as one contemporary assessment noted, unlike the NASA-focused simulations Space Shuttle and MAX, “this game is much more friendly to the player (that does not negate its overall difficulty and complexity of interface)“¹⁰.

Structure and Progression

The game features one extended campaign that follows the development of a European space program over several years⁵. Progression emphasizes micro-level decisions over macro-level policy considerations, requiring players to carefully manage each mission’s details⁴.

• Mission Preparation: Players equip the space shuttle with appropriate cargo, select crew members, and determine fuel loads⁵
• Launch Operations: Execute launch procedures and guide the shuttle into orbit⁵
• Orbital Activities: Pilot the shuttle in full 3D, deploy and maintain satellites, conduct docking operations⁶
• Space Station Management: Build and manage orbital facilities to conduct experiments⁵
• Return and Landing: Navigate the shuttle back through the atmosphere and land on the Corporation’s shuttle-carrier⁷

The strategic element of the game often prevails over pure simulation aspects, requiring players to balance budgetary concerns against mission objectives¹⁰.

Puzzles and Mechanics

The game’s challenges center on resource management and technical decision-making rather than traditional puzzle-solving⁴. Players must carefully calculate fuel requirements, cargo weights, and mission parameters to ensure successful operations⁵. The in-game space database provides extensive reference information to assist with these calculations⁵.

Budget management represents a critical gameplay element, as players must fund all aspects of their space program while achieving mission objectives⁶. The simulation covers the complete operational cycle from launch preparations through orbital operations to safe return⁶.

Reception

Contemporary Reviews

E.S.S. Mega received generally positive reviews upon release, with particularly strong scores from French gaming publications. Joystick magazine awarded the PC floppy version 89% and the CD-ROM version an even higher 91%, reflecting the enhanced multimedia content of the disc release²³. French magazine Génération 4 gave both the PC and Atari ST versions 77%².

The CDTV version received more modest assessments. Amiga Joker reviewed the CDTV release in October 1992, with reviewer Joachim Nettelbeck awarding it 3 out of 5 stars¹¹¹². The original E.S.S. on Amiga had received 76% from Amiga Joker (reviewer Michael Labiner, March 1990) and 68% from CU Amiga (reviewer Mark Patterson, February 1990), giving an average magazine rating of 72%⁶.

Modern Assessment

Modern retrospectives have been somewhat mixed. The game is recognized for its historical significance and technical ambition, though its complexity and obscurity have limited its contemporary audience⁸. Home of the Underdogs assigned the game a rating of 8.69, placing it among the higher-rated titles in their database¹³.

One modern assessment characterized the game as a “lackluster space shuttle simulation” that lacks the random elements that made competing titles like Buzz Aldrin’s space programs challenging, suggesting it is “worth a look for space buffs, but only for historical interest”⁸. However, another review praised the game’s graphics as “not just all bright and beautiful, but often there is a serious hint of three-dimensionality”¹⁰.

Aggregate Scores:

• Home of the Underdogs: 8.69¹³
• MobyGames: 83%¹
• Lemon Amiga (E.S.S. original): 72% average⁶

Development

Origins

The development of E.S.S. Mega was directly influenced by the professional background of Coktel Vision founder Roland Oskian, who had previously worked at Matra Espace, a major French aerospace company¹⁴. This experience in the space industry made the subject matter “pretty obvious” for Coktel Vision to pursue¹⁴. The game represented the company’s first step toward embracing new technology, particularly CD-ROM distribution¹⁴.

E.S.S. Mega built upon the foundation established by the original E.S.S. (European Space Simulator), which was developed by Inférence and released in 1989 for the Amiga⁶. The original game had established the core simulation mechanics and earned respectable reviews, providing a solid base for the enhanced “Mega” edition.

Production

Development was handled by Coktel Vision with technical consultation from space industry professionals¹. The team received special acknowledgment from Matra and the European Space Agency (ESA) for their assistance in ensuring technical accuracy¹². The CD-ROM version required extensive work to integrate authentic space exploration footage and photography, resulting in over 500 MB of multimedia content⁷.

Development Credits:¹

• Game Design: Roland Oskian, François Nédélec
• Project Management: François Nédélec, Yannick Chosse
• Programming: Arnaud Delrue, Mathieu Marciacq, Andre Thevenin
• Bitmap Graphics: Yannick Chosse, Joseph Kluytmans
• 3D Graphics: Frédéric Chauvelot
• Music and Sound: Robin Aziosmanoff, Frédéric Motte
• Graphic Documentation: Cosmos Films Galaxy Contact
• Translation: TradéStyle
• Technical Consultants: Jean-Louis Lacombe, Pierre Kaufeler, Béatrice Mulatier, Jean-Claude Amieux, Michel Bailly

Technical Achievements

E.S.S. Mega was notable for its use of real-time 3D graphics to depict spacecraft operations². The game utilized flat polygon rendering to create its 3D visuals, a technique that allowed for smooth orbital maneuvering sequences³. The graphical presentation was praised for achieving “a serious hint of three-dimensionality” while remaining visually appealing¹⁰.

The CD-ROM version represented a significant technical milestone, potentially being among the first PC games released in that format³. The expanded storage capacity allowed for inclusion of extensive documentary footage from actual space missions, creating an educational component beyond the core simulation¹⁴.

Technical Specifications

DOS Version:¹⁵

• Minimum CPU: Intel 80286
• Minimum RAM: 640 KB
• Video: VGA
• Sound Support: AdLib, Sound Blaster, Intersound MDO, PC Speaker
• Input: Mouse
• Media: 5.25” Floppy Disk or CD-ROM (1X speed minimum)
• Audio: CD Audio tracks (CD-ROM version only)

CDTV Version:¹⁵

• Hardware: OCS/ECS compatible
• Media: CD-ROM
• Disks: 1

Multiple Language Support: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish⁶

Version History

Version	Date	Platform	Notes
E.S.S.	1989	Amiga	Original version by Inférence6
E.S.S. Mega (Floppy)	1991	DOS, Atari ST	Enhanced version2
E.S.S. Mega (CD-ROM)	Late 1991	DOS	First CD-ROM release with multimedia content14
E.S.S. Mega	1991	Amiga	Disk-based release12
E.S.S. Mega	1992	CDTV	CD-based console version2

Regional Editions:¹⁶

• European/English Atari ST edition (3.5” Disk)
• European/English Commodore CDTV edition (CD-ROM)
• European/English DOS 5.25” edition
• European/Italian DOS 3.5” edition (bilingual)
• European/Italian DOS CD-ROM edition

Easter Eggs and Trivia

• The game’s subject matter directly reflected founder Roland Oskian’s professional background in the French aerospace industry at Matra Espace¹⁴
• E.S.S. Mega is considered one of the rarest space simulation games, with original copies now being very difficult to locate³
• The CD-ROM version contained approximately 200 MB of video sequences and 300 MB of high-fidelity music⁷
• The game received special thanks from both Matra and the European Space Agency for technical consultation¹²
• According to Joystick magazine, this was potentially the first PC game released on CD-ROM format³

Legacy

Sales and Commercial Impact

Specific sales figures for E.S.S. Mega have not been documented, though the game’s rarity in the collector market suggests limited distribution³. The CD-ROM version represented an important step for Coktel Vision in embracing emerging distribution technology, helping establish the company’s technical capabilities ahead of their later multimedia adventure games¹⁴.

Critical Perspective

E.S.S. Mega occupies a unique position in simulation game history as one of the few titles to focus on European space programs rather than NASA operations⁹. This distinctive approach gave the game educational value beyond its entertainment merits, introducing players to ESA concepts like the Hermes Shuttle that were then under active development.

The game demonstrated Coktel Vision’s willingness to pursue unusual subject matter—a trait that would characterize many of their later releases including the Gobliiins series and Lost in Time⁸. Home of the Underdogs aptly described Coktel Vision as “famous for quirky, wacky games that can only come from France”¹³.

As a technical achievement, E.S.S. Mega’s early adoption of CD-ROM distribution foreshadowed the multimedia revolution that would transform PC gaming throughout the 1990s¹⁴. While the game itself may not have achieved widespread recognition, its role in pioneering new distribution formats gives it historical significance beyond its gameplay merits.

Related Publications

The game included an in-game space database providing reference information about spacecraft operations and space exploration history⁵. The CD-ROM version expanded this educational component with authentic documentary footage from space mission archives¹⁴.

Downloads

Download / Preservation

• Internet Archive – E.S.S. Mega DOS⁴

Play Online

• PlayClassic Games¹⁷
• PlayOld Games¹⁰

Series Continuity

E.S.S. Mega represents the enhanced successor to the original E.S.S. (European Space Simulator) released in 1989⁶. The original game established the core simulation mechanics focusing on ESA space operations, while the “Mega” edition expanded the content and introduced multimedia elements through the CD-ROM version¹⁴.

The two games share fundamental design principles and many team members, including designer François Nédélec and composer Robin Aziosmanoff¹⁶. The original E.S.S. was developed by Inférence, while E.S.S. Mega was produced directly by Coktel Vision⁶.

• Previous: 1989 - E.S.S. (European Space Simulator)

References

Footnotes

1. MobyGames – E.S.S. Mega – developer, publisher, credits, technical specifications, ratings ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰

2. Wikipedia – E.S.S. Mega – platforms, release dates, review scores, gameplay features, ESA concepts ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰

3. UVList – E.S.S. Mega – CD-ROM milestone claim, Joystick scores, rarity status ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷

4. Internet Archive – E.S.S. Mega DOS – game description, 3D graphics, gameplay overview ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

5. Internet Archive – E.S.S. Mega description – gameplay mechanics, mission structure, space database ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸

6. Lemon Amiga – E.S.S. European Space Simulator – original game details, credits, review scores, predecessor information ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹²

7. VideoGameGeek – E.S.S. Mega – CD-ROM multimedia content specifications, box descriptions ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

8. Free Game Downloads MOSW – rarity assessment, developer description ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

9. LaunchBox Games Database – E.S.S. Mega – ESA focus, Hermes Shuttle recreation ↩ ↩² ↩³

10. PlayOld Games – E.S.S. Mega – gameplay assessment, interface friendliness, graphics quality ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

11. Amiga Magazine Rack – E.S.S. Mega Review – Amiga Joker review metadata, publisher information ↩

12. Lemon Amiga – E.S.S. Mega – Amiga Joker review, credits, special thanks ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

13. Home of the Underdogs – Coktel Vision – rating, company description ↩ ↩² ↩³

14. Abandonware France – Coktel Vision History – development background, Roland Oskian history, CD-ROM content ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰

15. MobyGames – E.S.S. Mega Specs – technical requirements, sound support, media types ↩ ↩²

16. VideoGameGeek – E.S.S. Mega – regional editions, media formats ↩

17. PlayClassic Games – E.S.S. Mega – game description, online play ↩