Spacing Out: The Trouble with 4X Games

So Close, Yet So Far...

So Close, Yet So Far…

Hey guys, welcome to my weekly op-ed column that I’m calling “Spacing Out” (the name was a joint effort between my girlfriend and I ;). I realized I’d not been really writing enough op-ed pieces, and came up with the idea of doing them weekly, both as a writing exercise and a way to put thoughts and ideas out there to share and discuss with y’all. :) I’ll be doing these every Wednesday, because if I don’t set a specific day to do ‘em, I never will, you know? ;) Recently, 4X games have been on my mind after the recent release of StarDrive. After I made my decision to put my review of the game on hold, I was taken to task on a forum I frequent for not liking other recent entries in the 4X space race, such as Endless Space and Sword of the Stars II. This got me to thinking, what HAS been going on with spacey 4X games of late?
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SGJ Podcast #12: A Potpourri of Pew Pew

So! Much! Color!

So! Much! Color!

Haaaaaaaaayyyy guuuuuuuuys, how are ya? Sorry for the delay in this week’s podcast episode, but Jim and I were both busier than usual this week with the real life nonsense. That said, we had no guest this past week, so we just caught up on what we’ve been playing, the news and all sorts of other stuff. It was a fun time, so we hope you enjoy it.

As always, please feel free to comment on the podcast below (I’m not creating specific forum threads anymore, no one uses ‘em ;) and follow us using RSS and/or iTunes. Thanks for listening!

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StarDrive Open Beta: Fast-Paced 4X Frivolity (With a Fuss…)

This entry is part 2 of 2 in the series StarDrive Preview
Aren't You Adorable...

Aren’t You Adorable…

I’m writing this while on a bit of Vicodin (just got a tooth removed), so I’ll blame any inaccuracies or irrelevancies on that. ;) Now, a while back I wrote a preview on a much earlier version of StarDrive that was provided through Desura as a Kickstarter reward I believe. That early version had some issues, but it was still a good time. Now, in a preview, us writin’ folk are supposed to stay positive since the game isn’t finished yet, which is mostly what you’ll see here, but since you can buy the game already, and it’s this close to being released (like, this Friday), I’m also gonna be a bit blunt on some things as well, stuff I’d usually save for a review. That said, the earlier line still holds true, this version still has some issues…

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SGJ Podcast #08: Remembering LucasArts, Good & Bad

It Really WAS a Mercy Killing...:(

It Really WAS a Mercy Killing…:(

With emotions over LucasArts own legacy still running high (for me at least), Jim and I are joined by Chase “scharmers” Dahl to talk about the rise, fall, and sad kersplat that was LucasArts (they made me watch video of Kinect Star Wars for Pete’s sake! Poor Pete!).

We hope you enjoy hearing us ramble about both the good and bad days of LucasArts, and invite you to leave any comments below or on the forum. Thanks as always for listening and subscribing! :)

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Space Game News 1/28/13: Drowning in Videos

Drowning in News

So! Many! Videos! *glug*

Hey y’all, happy Monday! I hopy y’all had a great weekend and, sadly like me, are back to work (kidding, I am SO VERY HAPPY I have such an awesome job). ;) Even though it’s a Monday, we don’t have to a have a case of such, so let’s start the week off right with some spacey game news. :)

That’s it for today folks. Have a great one! :)

I Got’cher Videos Right Here Pal! ;)

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Spacey Gamey News and Dealsies – 12/21/12

It's the News!

Bring On the News!

Hey everyone, happy Friday! As this will very likely be the last thing I post before Christmas day, I wanted to wish all those who celebrate the holiday a joyous, fun, and present-filled holiday. :) Now let’s jump into some news and deals!

Now onto deals, of which there are a bunch today. First off, GamersGate’s holiday sale seems to be in full force, and they have the following funness:

WHEW. Now, we’re not done yet, because DotEmu is also having a sale, which includes the following:

NOW we’re done, and I need a nap. ;) Again, have a wonderful and festive holiday folks, and thanks as always for visiting. :)

Get’cher Videos Right This Way, Folks!

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Spacey Gamey NewsiDealsNess – 12/19/12

News Satellite Dish

Not Much News on the Wire Today…

Hey y’all, happy Wednesday! I’m still on the mend, but feeling better, in case y’all were wondering, which is great because it’s less than a week now before Christmas, yay! I hope y’all thought long and hard about what y’all are gonna get me, I have HUGE expectations! ;) Seriously, folks, every visit and comment is a gift to me, so again, thank you. :) Now, not a lot of news today, unsurprisingly, so let’s get to it! Remember, any video that I can embed will be so after the cut below. :)

  • According to a press release I was sent, the third expansion for Endless Space, entitled “Lights of Polaris“, has now been released. This adds a “no pirates” option (WOOHOO!), Steam achievements and so on. You can see some shots of the new expansion on Iceberg Interactive’s Facebook.
  • There’s a new update on the Elite: Dangerous Kickstarter that features a call to arms as well as a new teaser video. I’m sure the fourteen folks laid off last week from Frontier Developments are thrilled to watch it. Maybe. (Sorry, something about that bugs me, enough to say so publicly.)
  • There’s also a new trailer for Galactose: Pastries in Space which looks like a ton of fun. I seriously need to sit down and play my copy. Speaking of which, they’re still looking for playtesters. ;)
  • Finally in news (seriously, that’s it, I’m not even kidding), the folks over at Rock, Paper Shotgun have an interview with Squad, the developers of Kerbal Space Program, which is a fun read.

We’re not done yet though. GOG is having an End of the World sale and it’s a BIGGIE. Seriously, tons of awesome games are even more discounted than they were just a day ago during their regular holiday sale. For spacey gamers, this includes the following:

That’s it for today folks. Have a lovely day ahead, and thanks for visiting!

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Space Game News and Deals – 11/28-30/12

Newsy News

End Your Week with Some Newsiness!

Hey y’all, happy Friday! SO, SO sorry about the lack of news for the last couple of days, lots of busy work stuff that had to be finished and I just had neither the time or the energy. Things have slowed a bit now, so now I can get caught up, so let’s dive in, shall we?

Now, in deals, there’s a bunch to discuss.

  • There’s a new bundle at Bundle Stars which includes Star Wolves 2. Currently the price is $6.88 for all of the games.
  • If you’d like Star Wolves 3: Civil War, the new Indie Gala bundle lets you get it and other games if you pay currently more than $3.94.
  • You can pre-order Iron Sky Invasion for 60% off at Green Man Gaming, bringing the price to $15.99.
  • Finally, you can get the amazing Hardwar on sale this weekend at DotEmu for $2.40.

These are some fantastic deals, all told (well, I dunno about Iron Sky yet, but the rest are really awesome).

That’s it folks! I hope y’all had a lovely week, and may you have a fantastic weekend ahead!

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Spacey Gamey Deals All Over the Interwebs!

Tons of Space Games on Sale!

OMG THE SALES! RUN! SAVE YOURSELVES!

Happy Black Friday y’all! I hope y’all had a lovely Thanksgiving here in the US, and I hope y’all are jumping on all the sales today. In trying to help y’all out, I’m putting this post all the non-Steam sales on spacey games I can find. Here we go:

Warning: LONG List Ahead!

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Spacey Game News and Deals – 11/19/12

Folded Newspapers

Bringing You All the News That’s Fit to Print!

Hello there y’all, and happy Monday! What a day it’s been already, thanks to the Star Citizen news, but besides that, other stuff happened over the weekend as well, so let’s get it out of the way! :)

Now, onto the deals. As its Thanksgiving week here in the U.S., the deals are gonna come hot and heavy, especially from Steam, who will have so many I’ll likely not be able to share ‘em all (I suggest the amazing DDDeals and Cheap Ass Gamer to help keep up). GamersGate, however, has hit the ground running with their Thanksgiving sale, and it includes the following spacey goodness.

Aaaand I need a nap now. ;) Have a great day y’all!

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