Today, Stardock announced the new standalone eXpansion to Galactic Civilizations 4, Supernova!
They showed lots of new information and screenshots and released a brand new dev diary. Without further ado:
What is Galactic Civilizations?
Galactic Civilizations is a series of space-based 4X strategy games set in the far future where humans have started to colonize the stars. Earth has united after discovering the existence of alien civilizations and has invented a faster-than-light technology called Hyperdrive. Galactic Civilizations has always focused on the exploration, expansion, and inevitable conflict that arises from multiple civilizations all vying for the same thing: total galactic control. What’s new and different in Galactic Civilizations IV: Supernova?
Plenty! In addition to all the gameplay and lore you’ve come to know and love from Galactic Civilizations IV, in Supernova you’ll:
Play as (or against) unique and interesting alien civilizations
The universe is teeming with the unknown just waiting for you to discover it. Encounter plenty of old favorites, but be prepared for some new faces, each with their own unique personalities and abilities.
Build dynamic fleets to crush your enemies
Explore ship classes and engage with a new and intuitive combat system. Diversify your fleets and prepare them to handle any situation that might arise during your conquests.
Terrorize the galaxy with ancient technology
Originally conceived and constructed by the Dread Lords, Terror Stars were thought to be a long-forgotten technology – but not anymore. A single shot can wipe out entire stars and all the planets and ships within their orbit.
Discover new adventures
Asteroid strikes, diplomatic clashings, and enemy invasions are among a myriad of events that will challenge a civilization’s leadership. Supernova takes the existing event system a little further by introducing race-specific choices, allowing you access to unique options depending on what civilization you’re playing as, and allowing you to further embrace the rich lore of the Galactic Civilizations series.
Choose your own destiny
An intuitive and updated technology tree allows for diverse decision-making as you build and strengthen your civilization’s tourism, weaponry, science, and more. The new system offers steep discounts on available techs but also lets you research specific techs at a higher cost.
How will you rule your people? Build up Cultural Points and spend them on any cultural traits in the ideology tree that you like. The more you lean into one particular ideology, the less expensive it becomes to take skills within it.
I agree 100%. I’ve always been iffy about Stardock since Elemental and now wait until there are plenty of reviews. I guess my mantra now is Hope for the Best, Expect the Worst.
If the combat is more interesting, that will be very welcome.
I don’t like planet killers, so I hope there’s an option to turn those off without disabling the entire expansion.
All good points by the other posters.
I’m a little confused, however. I thought the game was getting revamped in May 2023 due to all the issues with the base game. I’m not saying Stardock and Brad cannot walk and chew gum (although, I do wonder sometimes…), but is this a free expansion then? How does the large scale revamp factor in? I bought this game on a whim and hope that it would be better than it was. I guess I’m doomed to forever play the excellent Sins of a Solar Empire (I’m not sure I have high hopes for 2 being an improvement right now).
As AI becomes more prevalent, can you inform us of games that are using actual AI machine learning models to control opponents? Programmed AI has been abysmal in 95% of games for the last two decades because the publishers do not want to invest in it since they feel it does not sell games (it does for me and I won’t buy many games because of bad AI; I don’t care about how you can customize your hero’s ear hair color!)
Please keep us informed!
I tried to donate to you guys months ago, but get an error, by the way.
Which platform were you trying to donate on? We appreciate it immensely!
All of the upgrades, aside from the content, are coming to the GC4 base game.
This could go either way… it could be very good or very bad. When this drops I’ll be grateful we have explorminate to give us the inside scoop.
Based on prior experience with Stardock I’m not optimistic. But I’m willing to be pleasantly surprised if they actually make a good game at a reasonable price.