Strategic eXpanse #34 – Strategic Warfare Part 2

Join Nate, Oliver, Mark, Joshua and Troy as they continue to discuss Warfare in 4X games and focus on the “Arc” of a 4X games. They also discuss ideas that they’d like to see developers implement in future games with a specific focus on Winning Conditions. So come, listen and tell us what you think.

Notes:
Insert Coin to continue… – 00:56

1. Strategic eXpanse #31 – Strategic Warfare Part 1
   • Strategic eXpanse #33 – 4th Anniversary Hangout Session!
   • The Inglorious State Of 4X Games: An eXposition
   • The Inglorious State Of 4X Games article on Boardgamegeek
   • The Inglorious State Of 4X Games: An eXposition on Reddit
   • The Inglorious State of 4X Games discussion on Steam

How might we improve the Status Quo for Victory in 4X games? – 04:22

1. Cutting off the last 1/3 of the game and orthogonal means of attack
   • Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition Steam page
   • Galactic Civilizations III Steam page
   • Age of Wonders 3 Steam page
   • Civilization 6 Steam page
2. Catch-up mechanics – 11:42
   • Stellaris Steam page
   • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe webpage
   • Endless Space 2 Steam page
   • Sins of the Solar Empire: Rebellion Steam page
   • Oriental Empires Steam page
   • Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars Steam page

Games that avoid Victory Conditions entirely and what that means? – 28:39

1. Simulation sandbox 4X games
   • RimWorld Steam page
   • Europa Universalis 4 Steam page
   • Crusader Kings 2 Steam page
2. Underdeveloped victory system in Stellaris and Achievementes in games – 30:36
   • Stellaris Steam page
   • Endless Legend Steam page
   • Warlock 2: The Exiled Steam page

Games that start to rethink the underlying approach to Victory Conditions in 4X games? – 43:25

1. Three Moves Ahead Podcast – Episode 302: The 4X Genre
2. Asymetric designs (player vs. game) – 44:29
   • AI War: Fleet Command Steam page
   • AI War 2 Steam page
   • Thea: The Awakening Steam page
   • Thea 2: The Shattering Steam page
   • Sorcerer King: Rivals Steam page
   • Space Tyrant Steam page
3. 4X game classification – 51:23
   • Crossing The Rubicon: Defining The 4X-like Genre
   • Classification of 4X Games – discussion in the Steam group
   • Destiny 2 webpage
   • DOOM, The ultimate Edition on GOG
   • Call of Duty Steam page
4. Recalibrated / unified goals – 1:01:45
   • Age of Wonders 3 Steam page
   • Armada 2526 Gold Edition Steam page
   • Total War: Warhammer II Steam Page
   • Master of Magic on GOG
   • Endless Legend Steam page
   • Emperor of the Fading Suns on MobyGames
   • (Settlers of) Catan on Boardgamegeek
   • Star Wars: Rebellion on Boardgamegeek
   • Forbidden Stars on Boardgamegeek
   • Distant Worlds: Universe Steam page

Closing thoughts – 1:15:17

1. (Upcoming) games that do the best job?
   • Age of Wonders: Planetfall Steam page
   • Thea 2: The Shattering Steam page
   • Phoenix Point webpage
   • Stellaris Steam page
2. Community – what do you think? Which games do a good job in your opinion?