New Distant Worlds Expansion in Q4 of This Year

14 - Ordering 3rd Fleet to Attack Cunning Dragon

More Spacey Living Universe Goodness Incoming!

Usually I save this kinda stuff for the snippets, but since I’m both loving the game and currently reviewing it, I figured I’d mention this. News comes from Space Sector that over on the Matrix Games forums from Matrix Games dude Erik Rutins that:

Well, I may as well add this point as the press event is over but it does not seem to have appeared yet. Yes, we are working on a new expansion for Distant Worlds, which we expect to release by Q4 of this year. No details available yet, but we will provide more info once we are further along.

Holy crap, that’s AWESOME. I can’t wait to hear more about it. :) I’m also hoping this will coincide with a sale of the game to entice new buyers, since it really is that good. Thanks foe reading!

Random Space Game Idea: FPS+Space Sim+RTS+4X

Battlezone Sceenshot

Imagine This, but IN SPACE! ;)

So I was having a conversation on twitter with my buddy Marcin, and we were discussing how he doesn’t like a lot of 4X games because you need to be zoomed out all the time, in order to keep an eye on the big picture. He’d much rather be zoomed in to see the action, which is totally fair. This got me to thinking…why hasn’t someone made a game that allows for something like that? And then my brain went crazy…er…

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2011 Space Game Holiday Buying Guide

Santa's Spaceship

Instead of "ho ho ho" he says "pew pew pew". ;)

So it’s the time of year where presents must be bought, whether for friends or loved ones, and if you have that person in your life that loves space games, or is new to space games and wants to play more, it can be confusing to know what to get ‘em. There are a goodly amount of choices out there when it comes to computer-based space games, but they all cater to different desires. Does the person for whom you plan to buy a space game prefer piloting a spaceship? Or maybe they want to be more of a tactician, commanding their forces like an admiral, or maybe they want to even control an entire space empire?

I’ve thought of the games that are still for sale these days, whether newish or not, and have come up with a list that I feel could cater to any space game fan, new or old. Click below to check out the list, complete with links to the various places you can buy the games listed.

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Distant Worlds – Legends Released

Distant Worlds - Legends screenshot.

Look at all the things to fiddle with!

The good folks at Matrix Games sent word that that Distant Worlds – Legends has been released, just in time for the long holiday weekend here in the States! To go along with their ongoing sale, you can currently get the expansion for 20% off! Remember though, you’ll also need the base game Distant Worlds and its first expansion Distant Worlds - The Return of the Shakturi – both of which are also on sale, mind you – to run this new expansion. I’ll be diving into the game as soon as I’m done my coverage of Avroch Alliance.

Matrix Games is Having a Sale!

Matrix Games are On Sale!

The folks at Matrix Games are having a sale on a wide variety of games through January 8th. Why is it a big deal? Because they don’t have sales anywhere nearly as often as other digital game distributors, so this is big news. :)

While there are a lot of wargames in there, there are also a good amount spacey games, including:

Not sure if the soon-to-be-released Distant Worlds – Legends will be included in the price drop, but one can hope. :)

More Stuff’s Happened…

Extra Extra! Read all about it!

More Newsiness!

Sigh, sorry guys, work and life have been dang busy and I’ve had little time for much else. I’m still working on my review of the 1972 Star Trek game, but I’ve yet to put in the minimum six hours. I’ll get a rhythm to all of this soon. :) In the meantime, stuff has happened! This includes:

That’s it for now, folks! I have more in the pipeline, I just have to find the time and energy to do it all, which I will soon. Thanks for visiting!

Distant Worlds – Legends Expansion Pack and Contest Announced

Distant Worlds - Legends Screenshot

That's alotta ships...

I received a press release today from Matrix Games announcing a new expansion pack for the excellent 4X game, Distant Worlds. Entitled Distant Worlds – Legends, the new expansion pack includes several features, such as:

  • New character system, including Leaders, Admirals, Generals, Ambassadors, Governors, Agents and Scientists, all with defined skills and traits and the opportunity to advance and improve
  • New modelling of borders and spheres of influence
  • New expanded gameplay with race-specific events and victory conditions, as well as a new hidden faction!
  • Expanded technology tree, including dedicated carriers, cutting lasers, rail guns, new planetary facilities and wonders
  • Improved AI and an updated Diplomacy system with refuelling and mining rights as well as immigration policies
  • Improved fleet management and automation, including fleet postures
  • Improved modding support, including full race and character modding

There’s also a contest in which those who submit the winning idea for a space monster can win the entire Distant World series. I keep meaning to pick up their other expansion pack, The Return of the Shakturi at some point, and this seems like as good an excuse as any. :) Click below to read the entire press release.
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New Distant Worlds Expansion Unveiled

Screenshot from the new Distant Worlds expansion.

Oohhhh...pretty...

Thanks to V for Vegas over at Quarter to Three for this tip. Over on the Matrix Games forums, company spokesman Erik Rutins game some details about a second expansion for Code Force’s excellent real-time 4X space strategy game, Distant Worlds, a screenshot of which you can see above. Rutins also had this to say about the new, unnamed expansion:

Here’s something from the alpha (as in not yet beta, so please consider it work in progress) to keep you busy. Just to guide the discussion a bit, the large colored areas are spheres of influence. Spheres of influence are not quite the same as the way we think of “borders” here on our planet. They project from your colonies and define the space that you could control. Systems within your sphere of influence that you have at least explored are considered under your control. Borders in space are enforced within each controlled system but not in the deep space between systems. Also, building a mining station (for example) outside of your sphere of influence does not give you control over that system (though colonizing it does). Diplomacy has been overhauled to allow the negotiation of mining and refueling rights within your controlled systems, among other improvements.

Sounds nifty! I really need to dive back into Distant Worlds. I played it a bunch when it came out but never too much, and never got around to getting the first expansion, which I may need to rectify soon. I’ll keep you updated on this story as it develops.