HandyMan Studios and Re-Logic have joined forces on the most epic indie sandbox game crossover collaboration ever, debuting this holiday weekend at PAX Prime. Operatives of the Ark Corporation in sci-fi terraforming adventure Edge of Space will now be able to face off against the mighty Omegatron, a cybernetically enhanced recreation of the Skeletron boss from Terraria. You know, that other sandbox game about a gajillion people have played at this point. Maybe you’ve heard of it.

“We are really excited to have this crossover content and we have some cool stuff planned,” said Jake Crane, lead designer and founder of HandyMan Studios. “Terraria has been a great inspiration for those developers creating massive, open worlds that put players in control of their destiny.”

Terraria‘s creator, Andrew “Redigit” Spinks, also voices his approval of Edge of Space:

“I’m really digging the potential of Edge of Space. If you’re a fan of my game, then there is a good chance you’re really going to love the insane monsters, wild weapons, and flexible creation content of Edge of Space. They are a great group of passionate developers and I am glad to get to know them, and it could turn out to be one of the best sci-fi games in the genre.”

Wanna join the sci-fi sandbox party? $11.99 will get you into the current in-production Steam Early Access version. Or you can wait until the full launch this fall and pay $14.99. Your call.

Now let’s watch what happens when Edge of Space and Terraria get together!

Edge of Space is nearing the end of its long journey to release. After being funded through Kickstarter and earning enough votes to secure Steam Greenlight approval, the 2D sci-fi sandbox survival-adventure game from HandyMan Studios is now available in beta as a Steam Early Access title.

Early access to Edge of Space costs $11.99, which is slightly cheaper than the $14.99 the game will cost at full launch. In addition to being among the first ArkCo operatives to battle squid pandas and laser space sharks, Early Access adopters will also receive other perks, including a suit of First Responder Armor and other possible surprise rewards.

When exactly Edge of Space will officially be released as a “complete” game is not yet known, but getting in on the Early Access release ensures a cheaper price point and empowers you to provide feedback and see the game evolve with new features throughout the development process.

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Starting at 7PM EST tonight through 7PM EST on Sunday, March 10, Handyman Studios will be hosting a free beta test weekend for indie space adventure Edge of Space. The 2D sandbox multiplayer game with elements of exploration, crafting, base building, planet terraforming, survival, and side-scrolling action (including mech combat!) has been available as a paid beta on Desura and Rain Digital Games for a pre-order price of $9.99, but for the next few days you can join in on the fun without paying a penny. If you like what you see, grab a pre-order slot to lock in the discounted price before the final version launches at $14.99. Also don’t forget to vote for the game on Steam Greenlight to help it get approved for Steam release.

To claim your free beta weekend key, zip on over to playedgeofspace.com/free-beta-weekend/ and enter your email address.

Reverb Publishing and HandyMan Studios are pulling out the cute-animal-in-distress card to push Edge of Space that extra mile towards approval on Steam Greenlight.

Currently in the top 50, Edge of Space, a 2D side-scrolling open-world exploration/crafting/building/terraforming/survival/action space-adventure game (now that’s what you call a genre hybrid!), needs to crack the top 10 to get the official green light for Steam distribution. If the Steam community unites to vote the game to approval by October 15th, Reverb will donate $5000 to the Humane Society, the cash to go towards the rescue of homeless cats. Reverb’s even prepared to make you feel guilty if you don’t vote the game through:

“However, if the game doesn’t get approval, that money will disappear, like a puff of smoke in the uncaring wind, leaving poor kitties to survive in the harsh elements, be placed in harm’s way and possibly scheduled for euthanasia. The challenge is out there, and for a simple “yes” vote on Steam’s Greenlight consumers can actively take a role in saving the lives of kitties. So, do your part, save some cats, and see a great space sandbox adventure get onto Steam’s platform. It’s a win-win!”

So, basically, if you don’t give the game a thumb’s up vote, poor, starving kittens are going to die. Here’s the Edge of Space Steam Greenlight page.