Account Cart Search

Stardock Game News

Latest Articles

Election Day is Almost Upon Us - Will you be elected?

If you have updated the game, you may have noticed that there are "achievements." One of the achievements is to win a game on Election Day.  That's tomorrow! Be sure to play so you don't miss your chance to get this elusive achievement! [read more]

11/3/2008 By CodeCritter in Political Machine News

Michigan Journal Takes a Look at TPM 2008

The Michigan Journal, student newspaper of the University of Michigan, takes a look at The Political Machine 2008.  It's a really great review of the game, and here is a quick excerpt: " Political junkies will appreciate the realism and challenge of this game. It mimics the difficulties of winning a national election pretty closely. The Web site where you can download this game has political discussion boards for the players to hammer out the ideal of their party together, adding... [read more]

10/28/2008 By Island Dog in Political Machine News

Neoseeker Visits Ironclad for Entrenchment Sneak Peek

Adrian Estergaard from Neoseeker recently visited Ironclad HQ for some hidden details on the upcoming Sins of a Solar Empire micro-expansion, Entrenchment. Click-through the link below for the full article and pink space ponies! http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Previews/sinsofasolar/ [read more]

10/23/2008 By Yarlen in Sins News

Wired: Sins 'Micro-Expansions" Explained

Wired Magazine sits down with Craig and Blair Fraser, founders of IronClad Games, where they give a preview of the upcoming “micro-expansions” for Sins of a Solar Empire.  They cover a range of topics, and is a great in-depth interview. A quick excerpt: “This notion of “respect” has been a critical component in Stardock's success. From the lack of bundled copy protection to the Gamer's Bill of Rights, the publisher has sought to minimize the impact ... [read more]

10/21/2008 By Island Dog in Sins News

Stardock 2008 Report

Like most companies, Stardock puts together an internal business plan for setting up goals and objectives for the company for the forthcoming year (Stardock's fiscal year begins its execution phase every October 1). As part of this business plan is an appendix that acts as a critical analysis of what Stardock customers can expect to see and what challenges the company faces to better satisfy customer expectations. For this year, it has been decided to make this appendix avail... [read more]

10/16/2008 By Island Dog in Political Machine News

Stardock 2008 Report

Like most companies, Stardock puts together an internal business plan for setting up goals and objectives for the company for the forthcoming year (Stardock's fiscal year begins its execution phase every October 1).  As part of this business plan is an appendix that acts as a critical analysis of what Stardock customers can expect to see and what challenges the company faces to better satisfy customer expectations.  For this year, it has been decided to make this appendix avai... [read more]

10/16/2008 By Island Dog in Sins News

IGN Gives Entrenchment a First Look

Rounding out this morning's Entrenchment news, IGN has posted their first look of the game today.  Jason Ocampo gives his first impressions of the upcoming micro-expansion for Sins of a Solar Empire, along with some details on what gamers can expect in the near future. For the full preview visit: http://pc.ign.com/articles/919/919840p1.html [read more]

10/15/2008 By Yarlen in Sins News

GameSpy Previews Sins: Entrenchment

GameSpy has posted their first-look at Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment today, revealing many new details about the upcoming micro-expansion. Blair and Craig Fraser from Ironclad Games provide details on the changes to capital ships, the new Ogrov Torpedo Cruiser, new environmental art, and much much more. Read the full preview at: http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/sins-of-a-solar-empire-expansion-box/919968p1.html [read more]

10/15/2008 By Yarlen in Sins News

Gamespot: Sins Entrenchment First Look and Gameplay Video

Gamespot takes it's first look at the upcoming Entrenchment expansion for Sins of a Solar Empire.  They also have an exclusive game play video showing Entrenchment "in action". "The wars among the Trader Emergency Coalition, the alien Vasari, and the human splinter faction known as the Advent continue to rage in Entrenchment. But as the years have passed, the multiple battle fronts have stabilized, forcing each faction to dig in. Technology has also advanced, and Entrenchment will... [read more]

10/14/2008 By Island Dog in Sins News

See Sins Entrenchment In Action on X-Play

Last night, Blair Fraser of Ironclad Games was on G4's X-Play talking up the upcoming Sins of a Solar Empire microexpansion; Entrenchment.  On the October 9th episode, they show off the first of three new Starbases, massive defensive platforms that will decimate all but the largest, most powerful fleets.  Watch the video below to get all of the details, and a peek at the game in action.     [read more]

10/10/2008 By Zoomba in Sins News

Sneak Peek at Sins: Entrenchment Tonight on G4TV

Blair and Craig Fraser from Ironclad Games will be appearing on tonight's episode of X-Play on G4TV at 8pm ET.  The guys will be giving everyone a first-look at the upcoming Sins of a Solar Empire micro-expansion - Entrenchment .  Be sure to tune in! For episode listings/details visit: http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/episodes/7992/Sins_of_Duty.html [read more]

10/9/2008 By Yarlen in Sins News

Sins of a Solar Empire v1.1 Beta 3 Now Available

Sins of a Solar Empire version 1.1 beta 3 is now available for willing testers via Impulse.  This latest update contains several bug fixes and more.  A final update for the beta is expected later this month with the final v1.1 release to follow shortly thereafter. For more details on v1.1 beta 3 visit: https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/326713 [read more]

10/9/2008 By Yarlen in Sins News

Impulse Gets an Update

Have you been to Impulsedriven.com in awhile? Well if you have, you'll notice that we've done some redecoratin g to not only the  website but the store itself. We've made the website much more informational with the homepage now adding a featured title section highlighting a major software or game, a latest news section showing off recent releases, and a recent articles section authored by people from the Impulse community. You'll also find the navigation to be a lot more friend... [read more]

10/9/2008 By Island Dog in Sins News

Stardock's Impulse Gets an Update

Have you been to Impulsedriven.com in awhile? Well if you have, you'll notice that we've done some redecorating to not only the website but the store itself. We've made the website much more informational with the homepage nowadding a featured title section highlighting a major software or game,a latest news section showing off recent releases, and a recentarticles section authored by people from the Impulse community. You'llalso find the navigation to be a lot more friendly with the lefth... [read more]

10/9/2008 By Island Dog in Political Machine News

Sins of a Solar Empire v1.1 Beta 3 Coming Thursday

This Thursday we'll be releasing beta 3 of Sins of a Solar Empire v1.1 to testers.  This update is largely a series of fixes based on user-feedback.  We're planning one more beta release later this month before going final. For a change log on beta 3, head to: https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/326713 [read more]

10/8/2008 By Yarlen in Sins News

G4TV: Stardock Introduces the Gamers Bill of Rights

Stardock CEO, Brad Wardell, introduces and explains the “ Gamer’s Bill of Rights ” to G4TV.  The Gamer’s Bill of Rights is: “a statement of principles that it hopes will encourage the PC game industry to adopt standards that are more supportive of PC gamers. The document contains 10 specific "rights" that video game enthusiasts can expect from Stardock as an independent developer and publisher that it hopes that other publishers will embrace.” ... [read more]

9/20/2008 By Island Dog in Political Machine News

G4TV: Stardock Introduces the Gamers Bill of Rights

Stardock CEO, Brad Wardell, introduces and explains the “ Gamer’s Bill of Rights ” to G4TV.  The Gamer’s Bill of Rights is: “a statement of principles that it hopes will encourage the PC game industry to adopt standards that are more supportive of PC gamers. The document contains 10 specific "rights" that video game enthusiasts can expect from Stardock as an independent developer and publisher that it hopes that other publishers will embrace.” ... [read more]

9/20/2008 By Island Dog in Sins News

Announcing 'Super Tuesdays!' - Play VS. Stardock!!!

Get your fancy shoes shined up and your speeches practiced...it's time to take your game to the big leauges with PM2008: Super Tuesdays ! Starting Tuesday, September 23rd, the team at Stardock will be online for some 1 on 1 presidental campaigning. Join us us until the election from 6pm - 8pm EST to test your political metal. You thought Washington was tough?!  He's go nothing on the guys that actually programmed the game.    They'll be bringing the votes AND the hurt.... [read more]

9/19/2008 By ScottTykoski in Political Machine News

The Political Machine Express - A Free Strategy for the Campaign Season

Stardock, the company behind such games as Galactic Civilizations, Sins of a Solar Empire, and Demigod has made available The Political Machine Express. This free strategy game puts players in the role of the campaign manager of either John McCain or Barack Obama in a quest to win the white house. Players play on the electoral map of the United States with the goal to gain the 270 electoral votes necessary to win the election. Players get 21 weeks (approximately the time candidates have betwe... [read more]

9/17/2008 By Island Dog in Political Machine News

GameSpy Previews Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment

GameSpy takes a look at the upcoming Entrechment expansion pack for the hit PC game, Sins of a Solar Empire from IronClad Games and Stardock. Of the many new features and improvement in Entrenchment, GameSpy dove right into the new Star bases and what it means to the overall game. "Of all the new goodies available in Entrenchment , the real showstoppers are the new star bases. These massive structures are designed to completely change the nature and shape of the "stellar terrain" that pl... [read more]

9/12/2008 By Island Dog in Sins News

Sins of a Solar Empire v1.1 Beta 2 Now Available

Sins of a Solar Empire v1.1 Beta 2 is now available to all registered customers via Impulse. This latest update makes a number of balance changes based on tester feedback, plus fixes a number of bugs and other goodness. For a complete change log, read the post here: https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/324241 To get it, you will need Impulse ( www.impulsedriven.com ).  [read more]

9/11/2008 By Yarlen in Sins News

The Political Machine 2008 v1.5 Update Now Available!

Stardock has updated its popular PC strategy game, The Political Machine to include the new Vice Presidential candidates along with adding a host of compelling new features. The Political Machine puts players in the role of a Presidential candidate on the campaign trail making speeches, buying ads, hiring spin doctors and consultants, raising money, and going on cable news shows. The Political Machine v1.5 includes vastly enhanced multiplayer features including supporting match-making vi... [read more]

9/10/2008 By Zoomba in Political Machine News

ShackNews Interview with Brad Wardell (Part 2)

Yesterday I posted the first part of the interview with Stardock CEO Brad Wardell by ShackNews.  Part 2 of the interview goes into Stardock’s appearance at PAX ‘08, the upcoming game Demigod , and the upcoming turn-based fantasy strategy game that Stardock is currently working on. Another quick excerpt: “ Shack : How was your time at PAX? Brad Wardell : It was great. That was so fun. Because we were out there and we had the Gas Powered Games guys [Supreme... [read more]

9/10/2008 By Island Dog in Sins News

ShackNews Interview with Brad Wardell (Part 1)

ShackNews has a two-part interview with Stardock CEO, Brad Wardell.  The first part talks about the plan to “revitalize” PC gaming. It also covers Stardock's stance on copy-protection. A quick excerpt: " Shack: A lot of people think the solution is making games that are so connected with the online experience that everything is validated online, patched online, controlled through the internet. But what you're talking about is an offline, almost traditional solution.... [read more]

9/9/2008 By Island Dog in Sins News

PM2008 - Multiplayer Nights?

Once 1.5 is released, and multiplayer get's easier to manage (the Impulse intergration is nice ), I'd like to come up with a night where people can come on and KNOW there are going to be other players online. So which night would it be? My best nights would be Monday, Tuesday, or Wedensday. End of the week is much too hectic. Plus then we could call the nights 'Political Machine Mondays', 'Super Tuesdays' or 'Washington Wedensdays'. ...perhaps something better for Wedensdays [read more]

9/6/2008 By ScottTykoski in Political Machine News

Paste Magazine Reviews TPM

Paste Magazine has published their review of The Political Machine 2008.  It's a quick, but great review of the game which you can purchase for yourself here . " The Political Machineobserves the whole affair without editorializing in favor of one partyor another. When it does tweak the election’s unsavory aspects, it’swith a “pox on both your houses” attitude. All candidates can hire PRgurus, smear merchants and thugs to disrupt polling on election day.Winnin... [read more]

9/3/2008 By Island Dog in Political Machine News

Stardock Announces "The Gamers Bill of Rights"

Stardock announced today the Gamer’s Bill of Rights: a statement of principles that it hopes will encourage the PC game industry to adopt standards that are more supportive of PC gamers. The document contains 10 specific “rights” that video game enthusiasts can expect from Stardock as an independent developer and publisher that it hopes that other publishers will embrace. The Bill of Rights is featured on Stardock’s website (www.stardock.com) and is on prominent display i... [read more]

8/29/2008 By Zoomba in Sins News

Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment Announced!

Today Stardock & Ironclad Games are proud to announce the first of several micro-expansion packs, for the award-winning Sins of a Solar Empire.  The first micro-expansion Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment is currently in development and will be released late 2008 for $9.95 via Stardock’s Impulse digital distribution platform (www.impulsedriven.com). Developed by Ironclad Games, Sins of a Solar Empire is a real-time strategy game that adds an extreme amount of depth normall... [read more]

8/29/2008 By Zoomba in Sins News

Stardock will be at PAX

Stardock will have a booth at the Penny Arcade Expo ( PAX ) this weekend.  Stop by and say hi if you're going to be there. There will be game demos to check out and various Stardock employees there to chat with.  We'll also have an area where you can purchase some of our games.  You could probably get them signed too, if you wanted. Should be a fun weekend. ~C [read more]

8/28/2008 By CharlesLentz in Political Machine News

Impulse - Phase II Released

Stardock is excited to announce that “phase two” of its digital download platform, Impulse, has begun and all updates, new games and software applications will soon be live. Phase two of Impulse sees new games from 2k ( Civilizations III, Shattered Union, Sid Meier’s Pirates! and Sid Meier’s Railroads! ) and Tilted Mill’s Children of the Nile enhanced edition. New software applications include a host of Corel applications like WordPerfect Office X4, CorelDR... [read more]

8/27/2008 By Island Dog in Sins News

Impulse - Phase II

Stardock is excited to announce that “phase two” of its digital download platform, Impulse, has begun and all updates, new games and software applications will soon be live. Phase two of Impulse sees new games from 2k ( Civilizations III, Shattered Union, Sid Meier’s Pirates! and Sid Meier’s Railroads! ) and Tilted Mill’s Children of the Nile enhanced edition. New software applications include a host of Corel applications like WordPerfect Office X4, CorelDRAW ... [read more]

8/27/2008 By Island Dog in Political Machine News

Impulse Phase 2 Preview

In June we launched our next-generation digital distribution platform, Impulse.  And in July, we released the beta of the mega update to Sins of a Solar Empire that Ironclad has been working long and hard on.  There's been a lot of talk about Impulse (pro and con) since then. Our tentative date for the final version of Sins of a Solar Empire v1.1 is mid September. We want to have plenty of time to address your feedback and Ironclad has been doing a great job in implementing featu... [read more]

8/18/2008 By Frogboy in Sins News

Gaming Nexus Reviews The Political Machine

The folks over at GamingNexus.com took The Political Machine on a ride, and now you can read their take on it.  The Political Machine 2008 gets a grade of a B- in their review. "I feel much the same about the 2008 outing—there’s a fun little game here, and while it won’t hold a coveted place on my hard drive, I’ll certainly give this a few more goes while the real general election is grinding on. For the bargain price, political aficionados and strategy gamers... [read more]

8/8/2008 By Island Dog in Political Machine News

Video Game Generation Reviews TPM!

Video Game Generation takes a look and gives their review of The Political Machine 2008.  They give a pretty thorough review and walk through many of the scenarios found in The Political Machine.  A quick excerpt: "One of my favorite parts of the game is the TV appearances. They have a60 Minutes knockoff, a show in the vein of the O’Reilly Factor orHardball, and a Stephen Colbert-styled show. My only quirk is thatthese media events don’t occur nearly enough. I&rsquo... [read more]

7/30/2008 By Island Dog in Political Machine News

Sins Now Available in France

French games publication, Cyberstrategie , has sent word to us that Sins of a Solar Empire is now available in their home country.  Sins can now be found at retail locations around France for 39.99 Euros. For more information and details, please check out Cyberstrategie's news story: http://www.cyberstratege.com/magazine/2008/07/sins-of-a-solar-empire-arrive-enfin-en-vf/ [read more]

7/25/2008 By Yarlen in Sins News

Sins of a Solar Empire v1.1 Beta has Arrived

The next major update for Sins of a Solar Empire, the best-selling PC strategy game of 2008 that puts the player in command of an interstellar empire at war, is here! Since this new update is huge and contains several brand new technologies, we're going to be offering it as an optional beta for those who want to help test it out and provide feedback. Version 1.1 not only includes a host of play balancing changes but new content such as an updated graphics engine, updated visuals, new da... [read more]

7/24/2008 By Yarlen in Sins News

G4TV Nominates Sins for Strategy Game of the Year

While earlier than I think anyone saw it coming, G4TV has nominated Sins of a Solar Empire for Strategy Game of the Year! This puts Sins up against only one other PC game (World in Conflict) while the other nominees are console titles. Check out the link below for the details: http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/27273/Best_Strategy_Game_Nominees.html [read more]

7/24/2008 By Yarlen in Sins News

Sins v1.1 Beta Set for Thursday

The Sins of a Solar Empire version 1.1 BETA test is set to begin on Thursday, July 24th!  For more information on the BETA test and what it entails, please visit the forum thread at: https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/319061 [read more]

7/23/2008 By Yarlen in Sins News

PM2008 Version 1.04 Released!

Today the Political Machine team put the finishing touches on 1.04, an update that adds some new candidates to the fold (Gravel, Huckabee, and Kicinich), as well as a 'Simple Icon' mode that will add some pep to the game on slower machines. Users will also see a significant improvement in memory usage and a slew of new candidate peices to use when building your political avatar! Check out the link for more details! [read more]

7/22/2008 By ScottTykoski in Political Machine News