What started as a crusade has become a war of retribution.

Stardock's award-winning space strategy game, Galactic Civilizations III is about to get its biggest expansion yet.  Galactic Civilizations III: Retribution adds new playable civilizations, a story-driven campaign, Precursor artifacts, Hypergates and much more.

Across the galaxy, ancient alien artifacts are being discovered, giving civilizations powerful new capabilities. Meanwhile, as civilizations try to carefully balance building an economy, funding an ever growing war machine, and engaging in diplomacy, the humans of Sol III have invented a game-changing new technology - Hypergates - which, when connected, allow for rapid transit across the galaxy.

With two new major civilizations and the concluding campaign to the Galactic Civilizations III backstory that serves this massive space 4X sandbox game, Retribution asks the question: How will you rule your galaxy?

The new features in Galactic Civilizations III: Retribution include:

• Artifacts - Powerful items buried on planets across the galaxy will give your civilization instant-access to new abilities.
• Hypergates - Construct powerful gateways that, when linked, allow your fleets to travel rapidly across hyperspace.
• Major Civilizations: Drath and Korath - The manipulative Drath pull the strings across the galaxy while the Korath rely on extermination. Each has its own set of special abilities, bonuses, and ship parts.
• Cargo Ships - Cargo ships can be constructed to deliver goods and services to your other planets to aid in their development.
• New Technology Tree - A top to bottom overhaul of the technology tree adds depth and sharpens the strategic choices in your research options.
• Retribution Campaign -The malevolent Drengin Empire made a terrible mistake underestimating humanity’s strength, and the climactic battle that will follow may end in their extinction.

Galactic Civilizations III: Retribution is coming this Winter!
For more information, visit www.galciv3.com/retribution

Galactic Civilizations III is the largest space strategy sandbox ever made. Start with a single world and expand across the galaxy through diplomacy, trade, cultural hegemony, or military conquest in this single or multiplayer 4X strategy game. How will you rule your galaxy?

What started as a crusade has now become a war of retribution. Your civilization has uncovered powerful artifacts, discovered how to construct hypergates, encountered two new major civilizations, and much more in this exciting expansion to the award-winning space 4X game. Learn more here.

This past week, Activision executives, Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford sent DMCA notices to Steam and GOG demanding the removal of Star Control: Origins on the grounds that Star Control: Origins violates unspecified copyrights of theirs.

Finally, after many months of requesting from them what, specifically, in our game that they they believe they own they finally posted a table outlining their justification for taking down our game.

For those not familiar with copyright, here is a really simple outline of what copyright covers and doesn't cover.

The table is right from their website.  Our comments are next to it.

Next time you play a game, any game, consider how many ideas in it appeared in other games.  For the record, Star Control: Origins is not a clone of Star Control II.  For obviously reasons, it's a 25 year old game and as we have stated countless times, it wasn't commercially viable to continue that story.  We were interested in licensing the ships from Star Control II to include in Fleet Battles but they declined to so we didn't include them.   But even if it were a "Clone" of the gameplay of Star Control II, that doesn't fall under copyright protection. See here for more information on that.

So at long last, the meat of their complaint.  They think they own the ideas listed.  

UPDATE: No, we did not make up this chart.  You can find their chart here.  These are their claims and words. We have not edited their claims.

As a reminder, this table was made by Reiche and Ford.  Not us.  We aren't putting words in their mouths here.  This is what they actually believe.  This is their justification for filing a DMCA to take down a shipping game.

As for their argument that game ideas count as expressions and can be copyrighted, the copyright office already admonished them for this erroneous misinterpretation.

We have received news today that Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford, contractors on the classic DOS game, Star Control 2 for Accolade and widely credited as being the "creators" of Star Control II have issued a DMCA take down notices to Valve and GOG to take down Star Control: Origins.

(this is the one sent to GOG)

As some of you may know, there is a legal dispute between Stardock and Reiche and Ford regarding the trademarks and copyrights pertaining to Star Control.  Stardock owns the copyright to Star Control 3 and the trademark to Star Control overall.  Reiche and Ford claim to own the copyright to Star Control 2 (though it's not clear what within it they own outside source code).

You can read the history here:
https://www.stardock.com/games/starcontrol/article/487690/qa-regarding-star-control-and-paul-and-fred

Unfortunately, rather than relying on the legal system to resolve this, they have chosen to bypass it by issuing vague DMCA take-down notices to Steam and GOG (who, btw, Reiche and Ford are suing using GoFundMe money).

Steam and GOG both have a policy of taking down content that receive DMCA notices regardless of the merits of the claims. 

To my knowledge, never in the history of our industry has anyone attempted to use the DMCA system to take down a shipping game before. For example, when PubG sued Fortnite for copyright infringement, they didn't try to take Fortnite down with a DMCA notice.

For those not familiar with copyright law, you CANNOT copyright ideas, individual or short phrases, concepts, mechanics, game designs, etc. 

Star Control: Origins does not contain any copyrighted work of Reiche or Ford. We spent 5 years working on it making it our own game. It very much plays like you would expect a Star Control game. But that has nothing to do with copyright. 

We have assurances from GOG and Valve that already purchased games will continue to work.

Unfortunately, without the income from Star Control: Origins, Stardock will have to lay off some of the men and women who are assigned to the game.

We will do our very best to continue to support the game and hopefully Star Control: Origins will return as soon as possible.

Add a whole new level of strategic dimension to your game with the addition of 15 new minor factions to Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion. The Minor Factions DLC is now available and is 10% off through 1pm ET on 12/19. Learn more.

Earn the loyalty of 15 New Minor Factions in BRAND NEW DLC for Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion

Add a whole new level of strategic dimension with the Minor Factions DLC! Fight against your enemies to exert control over upstart forces that have emerged outside the boundaries of the great powers. Crush them if you desire, but it might be wiser to let your diplomatic envoys persuade them to join your cause - their unique capabilities may prove to be the difference between your victory and your defeat!

Get the new Minor Factions DLC today
LIMITED TIME ONLY: Save 10% through 1PM ET on 12/19

Features

“Minor Factions” Gameplay Option - Enable the spawning of minor factions! A new set will spawn each match, keeping your games varied and interesting.

15 new minor factions - Persuade factions to join your empire so that you can cultivate their unique bonuses and abilities! Send your envoys to convince them to side with you and boost your empire through new strategic opportunities. Factions include:

• Nilari Cultists: These fanatical cultists command waves of suicidal martyrs, sacrifice their people for devastating effects, and indoctrinate nearby populations to accelerate their cause. Be careful, though - with the end being near, they don't always discriminate between friend and foe and it won’t matter whether you’ve won them to your side or not!
• Viturak Transport Cabal: Some Vasari technology is difficult to get ahold of, but this faction manages! Gain access to black market Vasari travel tech, including phase engine improvements and the ability to execute covert raids. If they let you into the back room, you may even find yourself with a stolen Antorak Marauder that you could pair with their local phase stabilizer...
• Grost Scrappers Union: Credits don’t discriminate, and neither does this faction! These underground human entrepreneurs accept payment from anyone. If you need an armor retrofit, a quick field repair, a great deal on resources, or even a place to convert those obsolete frigates into profitable scrap - these are your guys!
• 12 additional minor factions: No two are alike! Each provides abilities and advantages unique to their themes and roles, including mercenaries, xenophobes, pacifists, used ship dealers, demolition experts, resource miners, resistance fighters, arms dealers and more!

Sins of a Solar Empire blends the epic strategy and empire management of the 4X genre with the fast-paced and tactical elements of real-time strategy. You are the leader of a civilization embroiled in a galactic war, fighting for the survival of your entire race against relentless foes, and every decision you make (and every second that you take in making it) counts.

Get the new Minor Factions DLC today
LIMITED TIME ONLY: Save 10% through 1PM ET on 12/19

Don't have Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion? Get it now!

www.sinsofasolarempire.com

Stardock and Ironclad Games will release a brand new DLC for their popular real-time 4X strategy game, Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, Monday, December 17. Minor Factions adds 15 brand new minor factions, bringing a whole new strategic dimension to the game. Players will need to compete against their enemies to exert control over upstart forces that have emerged outside the boundaries of the great powers.

In Minor Factions, players will need to persuade the factions to join their empire through the use of diplomatic envoys. Convincing these factions to ally with them will grant the player access to their unique abilities and advantages.

The DLC includes 15 new minor factions like the fanatical Nilari Cultists, who indoctrinate nearby populations for their suicidal rampages, or the Grost Scrappers Union, which can perform armor retrofits and convert obsolete frigates into profitable scrap, and the Viturak Transport Cabal, who will grant access to black market Vasari travel technology.

Each of the 15 factions provides abilities and advantages that are unique to their theme and role, including mercenaries, xenophobes, pacifists, used ship dealers, demolition experts, resource miners, resistance fighters, arms dealers, and more.

Sins of a Solar Empire blends the epic strategy and empire management of the 4X genre with the tactical elements of real-time strategy. You are the leader of a civilization embroiled in a galactic war, fighting for the survival of your entire race against relentless foes, and every decision you make counts.

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion - Minor Factions is $5.99 and will release on December 17, 2018.

To learn more, visit: www.sinsofasolarempire.com 

Contact: press@stardock.com 

Preview Screenshots:

Galactic Civilizations III v3.2 takes faction personality traits
into account, improves game AI, and more

We're launching a version update today that increases the effects of a civilization's personality traits on diplomacy, conversations, and what ships to build. The Intrigue AI has also hired an accountant to better manage its taxes, and we've made a few adjustments to the Heroes of Star Control: Origins DLC. More details on the changes are below!

v3.2 Changelog Notes

Base Game

• Stars are placed a slightly further apart than before in order to make each system independent from others.
• AI more aggressive at sending out constructors to build starbases
• Personality traits are given much greater consideration when deciding what topics the civilization wants to discuss.
• Personality traits are now given much greater consideration for deciding what types of ships to build when at peace.
• Personality traits are now given much greater consideration when deciding what kinds of treaties and offers to give to the player.

Crusade

• Diplomacy ability bonus to relations reduced from 2 to 1.

Intrigue

• AI manages its tax rate more effectively.
• Changed default # of colonies before a government is allowed from 3 to 2.

Heroes of Star Control

• If you don't own the either the Mercenaries or Intrigue expansion packs, you can now still get Jeff
• Jeff is already perfect and shuns your attempts to "upgrade" him
• Added custom Starbases for Mukay, Tywom, and Free Trandals (Mowlings starbases are unchanged)

Don't have Galactic Civilizations III? Get it now!

Owners, the v3.2 update is ready and waiting for you in your Steam client. 
Don't forget to pick up the Intrigue Expansion and Heroes of Star Control: Origins DLC!

www.galciv3.com | www.galciv3.com/intrigue

Galactic Civilizations III v3.2 releases today! The update takes faction personality traits into account, improves game AI, and more. Learn more here.

Establish humanity on the galactic scene among their
newfound friends - and enemies in this 4-part season pass

The story of Star Control: Origins continues today with Earth Rising, a 4-part season pass that covers humanity's expansion into the galaxy. Part 1: Aftermath is available to play today, while the other 3 parts will release over the next 6 months.

In Aftermath, Star Control has ordered the construction of a new Star Control base in Epsilon Trireme. Not every alien is happy about the prospect of an expanding human empire, however, and already the efforts there have run into trouble.

Meanwhile, a group of suspiciously helpful aliens have informed you of a potential new ally: the Gloosh, who are, quite possibly, the laziest aliens in the universe. On top of it all, a new enemy appears in the shadows, one who seems to have their own long history with humanity...

Get Earth Rising on Steam for 10% off*, and play Aftermath right away!

Steam Midweek Madness: Get Star Control: Origins for 25% off

Major Features in Aftermath

New Quests Aftermath includes six new major quests, including several large, multi-stage quest chains, that chronicle the beginning of humanity’s first steps onto the galactic stage. Some of these quests are available during the main campaign, while some others take place after the main adventure is completed, so there’s something for everyone whether you’re just starting out or have already beaten the game.

New Alien Faction Located in a previously undiscovered region of space, the Gloosh are almost unbelievably slow moving, lazy aliens. It’s honestly astounding that they’ve managed to survive in such a harsh region of the galaxy. But, the Observers - shifty as they are - seem to think that they’d make good allies for your cause, so surely there’s more to them than meets the eye...

New Ships The Gloosh, Lexite, and Kzanti factions have all had new ships added, some of which can even be recruited for the player’s fleet. The Kzanti have also somehow managed to obtain themselves a massive new Factory Ship, which, as is so often the case, is probably going to need to be destroyed during a long and dramatic battle.

New Precursor Mysteries Throughout the main campaign, events will cause Precursor Starbases to restore power to their multi-manifold sensor systems. These systems have revealed the location of a number of new items of interest throughout the galaxy, including ancient (and recent!) relics.

More is on the way!
Following Aftermath, three more parts will release. Purchasing the Earth Rising season pass will
give access to each part as they become available.

Part 1: Aftermath (Now Available)  |  Part 2: The Lexites (Winter 2019)

Part 3: The Syndicate (Spring 2019)  |  Part 4: Earth Rises (Summer 2019)

Get Earth Rising on Steam for 10% off*, and play Aftermath right away!

Steam Midweek Madness: Get Star Control: Origins for 25% off


*Sale ends December 18 at 1PM ET.