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Stardock Entertainment Appoints Trevor Laupmanis as President of Studios

Stardock Entertainment Appoints Trevor Laupmanis as President of Studios Stardock Entertainment, a leading developer and publisher of innovative strategy and simulation games, today announced the hiring of Trevor Laupmanis as President of Studios. In this role, Trevor will oversee development pipelines, lead product expansion initiatives for new and current Stardock intellectual property (IP), and help shape team culture at Stardock. Trevor brings more than two decades of experience in t... [read more]

3/13/2025 By redskittlesonly in Stardock Entertainment Announcements

Sins II: Dev Journal 22 - A Preview of the Paths to Power DLC

We can't wait for you to get your hands on Paths to Power ! On March 27th, Sins of a Solar Empire II will receive its first paid DLC, Paths to Power , an expansion designed to push the boundaries of what’s possible in Sins . We’ve crafted a set of brand-new scenarios that challenge your strategic thinking, introduce fresh mechanics, and shake up the traditional Sins experience in ways you might not expect. Whether you're a battle-hardened commander or a tactical mastermind looking for ... [read more]

3/12/2025 By Unikraken in Sins Dev Journals

Video Blog: A Retrospective of Sins II so Far

Sins of a Solar Empire II: A Look at the Latest Updates and Enhancements Since its Steam release on August 15, 2024, Sins of a Solar Empire II has continued to captivate strategy fans with its seamless blend of real-time strategy (RTS) and 4X gameplay. However, Stardock and Ironclad Games haven't been resting on their laurels. The developers have been hard at work, rolling out updates that refine the experience, incorporate community feedback, and introduce exciting ne... [read more]

3/5/2025 By wasabi_md in Sins Dev Journals

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #96 - A Preview of Galactic Civilizations IV v3.0

At long last, Galactic Civilizations IV v2.95 is here and it's a big one. I'd like to think it addresses most of the high priority feedback we've gotten on the game since launch, especially in terms of map generation. But well beyond that, v2.95 is a major improvement in everything from performance, balance, multiplayer stability, late game stability, AI, and more. Seriously, this is a big update. Assuming there's no issues with it, the next big update will be version 3.0, which is one tha... [read more]

3/4/2025 By Frogboy in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

Paths to Power Release Date Announcement for Sins of a Solar Empire II

Paths to Power DLC Launching March 27 New DLC pack for acclaimed strategy title features 10+ scenario maps with objective-based gameplay for unique single-player challenges Wishlist Now: Steam One of the best strategy games of 2024 gets even better as Sins of a Solar Empire II will be releasing its first paid DLC, “Paths to Power,” on March 27, 2025. This DLC pack features new challenges for players by introducing new, objective-based missions and victory condit... [read more]

2/28/2025 By redskittlesonly in Sins of a Solar Empire News

Game Rant Interviews Sins II Team about Upcoming DLC and Major Update

Interview: Sins of a Solar Empire 2 Producers Talk Upcoming DLC, New Features, and Modding Interview/Article by Joey Brown After over a decade since the iconic sci-fi RTS series saw its last entry, Ironclad Games and Stardock have finally delivered Sins of a Solar Empire 2 . While this sequel is largely faithful to its predecessor, it has introduced several massive improvements. Perhaps most significantly, an engine upgrade with 64-bit and multithreading has resolved performance... [read more]

2/28/2025 By redskittlesonly in Sins of a Solar Empire News

"Tales of the Arnor" DLC Launches Today for GalCiv IV

Galactic Civilizations IV "Tales of the Arnor" DLC Launches Today Play as a new machine race civilization, discover the history of the Yor and Iconians in a new campaign, and experience new in-game event content Tales of the Arnor is available at: Steam | Epic Games Store | Stardock Prepare to delve into the Galaxy’s greatest mysteries and the rise of a new machine civilization as Galactic Civilizations IV “Tales of the Arnor” launches ... [read more]

2/27/2025 By redskittlesonly in GalCiv News

Sins II Ship Series: The TEC Enclave Ankylon Titan

The TEC Enclave’s Ankylon titan is a literal space fortress, designed to greatly enhance the survivability of fleet actions. Depending on its configuration, the Ankylon is highly adaptable in offensive, defensive or a combination of battle roles. Armament 16 x Medium Autocannon Turrets 18 x Point Defense Autocannon Turrets 8 x Heavy Beam Turrets (Optional) 12 x Heavy Missile Arrays (Optional) Up to 12 strikecraft squadrons (Optional) With its base armament lo... [read more]

2/26/2025 By Yarlen in Sins Dev Journals

Now Available: v1.33 for Sins of a Solar Empire II

v1.33 brings improvements to the AI, more sound effects for the Advent, and a much-requested save system enhancement Get Sins II Now This month, the development team for Sins of a Solar Empire II has released version 1.33, a smaller update that brings a few key enhancements to the game. While the changes may not be revolutionary, they address community feedback and focus on improving the overall gameplay experience. One of the most notable features in this update is the r... [read more]

2/26/2025 By redskittlesonly in Sins of a Solar Empire News

Launch Livestream: "Tales of the Arnor" DLC for GalCiv IV

Join Us for Our "Tales of the Arnor" Livestream Event Mark your calendars | Learn More Join us as we dig deep into the gameplay and lore of the newest DLC for Galactic Civilizations IV, Tales of the Arnor! 📅 Thursday, February 27th at 1:00pm EST 📍 Location: Galactic Civilizations IV Steam Page What to Expect Explore the Legacy of the Arnor Campaign: Embark on the Tales of the Arnor campaign to uncover the lost history of the Arnor a... [read more]

2/20/2025 By wasabi_md in GalCiv News

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #95 - Tricks of the Nyx

Last week we took a look at Tales of the Arnor and what it adds in general. Today, we’ll focus a bit more on the Nyx themselves, and their unusual playstyle. Galactic Civilizations features many weird and wonderful different intergalactic species for you to play as in your efforts to conquer the known universe and become the one true ruler of them all. Without counting the myriad player-made AlienGPT creations out there in the wild right now, with Tales of the Arnor and the introduction ... [read more]

2/20/2025 By BATTLEMODE in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

Video Blog: Your Opening Moves Pt. 2

Tips and Tricks for Sins of a Solar Empire II: Mastering the Early Game Welcome, fellow space strategists! If you’ve just embarked on your journey in Sins of a Solar Empire II, you’re in for an exhilarating ride as you forge the foundations of a galaxy-spanning empire. In this post, we’ll delve into critical strategies for navigating the early game and setting yourself up for success. Let’s jump right in! The Crucial Early Game Decisions The... [read more]

2/19/2025 By wasabi_md in Sins Dev Journals

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #94 - Sneak Peek: Tales of the Arnor

Tales of the Arnor is Stardock’s latest exciting DLC for Galactic Civilizations IV: Supernova, focusing on events that occurred way back in the history of the Galactic Civilizations universe. Over the past few weeks, Frogboy has posted several developer journals teasing the extensive lore he has written surrounding the birth of the Nyx so I won’t cover that again. Instead, I’ll be going over a quick gameplay overview to show what content this adds to your Galactic Civilizations games! ... [read more]

2/13/2025 By BATTLEMODE in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

Sins II: Behind the Scenes - The Nuances of Hardpointing

The primary 3D artist on Sins II’s development team, Paul Kiesling (Set), was kind enough to swing through this month to provide a “short” explanation on how we hardpoint assets to get them properly working in Sins2. Enjoy! Let's say you have a finished good-looking ship model; how do you make it work in game? We must hardpoint the ship so that the game has the necessary location data of where to put turrets, fire torpedoes, or prop effects. Let's start with getting your shi... [read more]

2/12/2025 By Lord_Set in Sins Dev Journals

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #93 - An Essay of the History of the Galactic Civilizations Universe...

My office has a lot of printouts in binders regarding the history of the universe (The Mithrilar Cycle) that both Galactic Civilizations and Elemental come from. I once had the opportunity to write a book, Destiny's Embers and that was quite an adventure. My original story was 300 pages but my publisher, Del Rey, wanted it fleshed out and had an editor greatly expand the exposition of it. One of these days, I hope to publish the original manuscript which, I should ... [read more]

2/6/2025 By Frogboy in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

v3.21 Now Live - Enhanced Multiplayer Performance for Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation

v3.21 - The Multiplayer Update View Changelog | Get Ashes Now We’re excited to announce that our latest update focuses on elevating the multiplayer experience in Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation. With this update, we’ve implemented significant performance enhancements that are designed to create a more fluid and enjoyable online gameplay experience. We invite you to gather your friends and explore the enhanced multiplayer ex... [read more]

2/6/2025 By redskittlesonly in Ashes of the Singularity News

Video Blog: Your Opening Moves Pt. 1

Mastering the Early Game in Sins of a Solar Empire II: A Beginner's Guide The galaxy is vast, and in the world of Sins of a Solar Empire II, your first fifteen minutes can determine your fate. As a new player, navigating these initial moments can be daunting. However, with the right strategies and a clear plan, you can set the foundation for a successful empire. Whether you’re a seasoned RTS veteran or a newcomer to the genre, understanding the early game mechanics is crucial. In t... [read more]

2/5/2025 By wasabi_md in Sins Dev Journals

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #92 - Of the Nyx

With the benefit of hindsight, Tales of the Arnor should have been handled as a full expansion pack. It just has such a massive scope of changes in it. For me, personally, it's the first GalCiv IV DLC I've got to work on since Tales of Centauron which I thoroughly enjoyed. But this one...this one is just so much bigger. This will probably not be the last post I make on Tales of the Arnor so I will probably miss some things here. Of the Nyx So as some of you kno... [read more]

1/30/2025 By Frogboy in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

Now Out: The Picturesque Planets Update for Sins II

Sins of a Solar Empire II v1.32: The Picturesque Planets Update View the Full Changelog | Buy Sins II Now The latest update for Sins of a Solar Empire II, titled "The Picturesque Planets Update," introduces several noteworthy features that expand gameplay and strategic options for players. This update, version 1.32, enhances both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the game, providing new planetary types, artifacts, and improvements to AI behavior. New Planet Typ... [read more]

1/30/2025 By redskittlesonly in Sins of a Solar Empire News

Sins II: Ship Series - The TEC Argonev Starbase

Argonev Background Although recognized as powerful battlestations, the Argonev-class starbases began their lives as civilian structures created by the Prast United. Prior to the war, the Argonev served as orbital cities where families lived, major commerce hubs were established, and ships serviced on their treks across Trader space. By War Year 15 the TEC had determined that these massive bases would need to be repurposed for the war effort. Many of the civilian accommodations were removed t... [read more]

1/29/2025 By Yarlen in Sins Dev Journals

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #91 - The Yor and the Arnor Thoughts

So I'm working on the upcoming DLC called Tales of the Arnor and it's going to go pretty hard into the background on the Yor. To do that, I really need to explain a bit about the background of this game which, since it's a 30 year old series there's a lot of bits involved. No pun intended. In the beginning... So at the start there were the Mithrilar. These were beings that we would consider to exist outside our universe. One of them, called Draginol (which is where ... [read more]

1/25/2025 By Frogboy in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

Release Date Announcement for Galactic Civilizations IV: Tales of the Arnor

"Tales of the Arnor" DLC Launching February 27, 2025 Discover the secret history of the Arnor along with enhanced gameplay updates, new technologies, and Crises to overcome Pre-order Now: Stardock | Steam | Epic Games Store Uncover mysteries from the darkest reaches of the galaxy in “Tales of the Arnor,” a new DLC for 4X grand strategy game Galactic Civilizations IV available on Feb. 27, 2025. This new content allows pla... [read more]

1/23/2025 By redskittlesonly in GalCiv News

Video Blog: Choose Your Challenge

Mastering the Difficulty in Sins of a Solar Empire II: A Guide to Replayability In the expansive universe of Sins of a Solar Empire II, players are met with a complex tapestry of strategic possibilities that can often feel overwhelming. However, understanding the multifaceted nature of the game's difficulty settings can significantly enhance your experience, allowing for a diverse range of challenges that keep gameplay fresh and engaging. In this post, we'll explore how to combine different... [read more]

1/22/2025 By redskittlesonly in Sins Dev Journals

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #90 - Balancing GalCiv IV

After several years of post-release development and multiple expansions, Galactic Civilizations IV has a hell of a lot of content. 4X is a relatively complex genre and GalCiv leans pretty hard into the “sandbox” side of things, providing the player with many tools and options to play with when planning their conquest of the galaxy. This is great for the player, but with such expansive scope and depth, paired with periodic patching to iron out bugs and address various issues that crop up, the ... [read more]

1/21/2025 By BATTLEMODE in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

Sins II: Behind the Scenes - Designing the Vasari Empire Pt 1

Greetings, Commanders! Today, we’re excited to delve into the design philosophy and artistic process behind the Vasari Empire’s striking fleet for Sins of a Solar Empire II . The Vasari have always been synonymous with an unmatched blend of menace, technological superiority, and eccentricity, and our latest designs aim to push these traits even further. In this dev diary, we’ll explore the creative evolution of key units—the Bomber, Raider Corvette, Heavy Cruiser, and Colony Capital Ship—thr... [read more]

1/15/2025 By Unikraken in Sins Dev Journals

Video Blog: Tips for Galactic Mastery

Mastering the Depths of Sins of a Solar Empire II In the vast universe of strategy gaming, few titles have managed to blend the complexities of 4X and real-time strategy (RTS) quite like Sins of a Solar Empire II. This game offers an intricate tapestry of mechanics that rewards players who invest time in mastering its systems. While newcomers may find it accessible, the path to true mastery is paved with practice and a deep understanding of the game’s multifaceted strategies. Today, we... [read more]

1/8/2025 By redskittlesonly in Sins Dev Journals

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #89 - Basic Resources

Hello everyone! For today’s Dev Journal, I will be going over Resources in GalCiv IV. In the past few Dev Journals, we've been exploring new features introduced by GalCiv’s latest DLC: Megastructures. However, for my first Journal of the new year, I want to take a step back from the late-game-focused expansion to cover some GalCiv fundamentals. GalCiv IV has no shortage of Resources, and I’d like to focus on the five most common Resources you will encounter while expanding your empire a... [read more]

1/7/2025 By DraconicDesign in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

Sins II: Ship Series - The TEC Dunov Battlecruiser

Welcome to our December 2024 Ship Series journal for Sins of a Solar Empire II. For this final installment of 2024 we’re taking a refreshed look at the TEC Dunov Battlecruiser. Dunov Background The humble Dunov has been a mainstay of the old Trade Order for hundreds of years acting as a heavy cargo ship. Traversing the trade routes between civilized worlds, the Dunov would move cargo like ore, crystal, fuel, farm equipment across the Order. With the Vasari invasion, the Trade Order (and... [read more]

1/1/2025 By Yarlen in Sins Dev Journals

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #88 - Megastructures: Ringworlds

The Ringworld is the final and most mighty of the titanic projects available for construction in the new Megastructures expansion for Galactic Civilizations IV: Supernova, allowing the fabrication of a perfect artificial world in the shape of a ring, wrapped around a hosting star, for the people of your Civilization to settle and work on. While not quite the crown of the Megastructures research tree (that accolade is reserved for the final level of Augments for the Stellar Nexus) the Ringwor... [read more]

12/31/2024 By BATTLEMODE in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #87 - Megastructures: Stellar Gateways

More Megastructures! The latest DLC for Galactic Civilizations IV arrived earlier this month, introducing a host of powerful new Megastructures. In this week's dev journal, we're diving deep into another of this expansion's titular Megastructures: The Stellar Gateway. Stellar Gateways Stellar Gateways are massive portals that utilize the reality-warping power of black holes to create connections between distant points in space. These powerful Megastructures are ideal for expanding to dis... [read more]

12/24/2024 By DraconicDesign in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

Winter Sale: Up to 90% Off Stardock Titles

The Annual Winter Sale is Here - Get Up to 90% Off* STEAM KEYS ARE PROVIDED WITH PURCHASE FEATURED TITLE: Sins of a Solar Empire II $49.99 Now $37.49 Content Pass: $59.99 Sale $44.99 | Premium Edition: $99.99 Sale $74.99 Galactic Civilizations IV $49.99 Now $24.99 Select DLC 20% Off The Political Machine 2024 $19.99 Now $9.99 DLC 50% O... [read more]

12/19/2024 By redskittlesonly in Stardock Entertainment Announcements

Deck Out Your Desktop: Star Control: Origins Wallpapers

As you prepare for your next adventure in Star Control: Origins, why not give your desktop a cosmic upgrade with our collection of stunning wallpapers? These visuals capture the excitement of interstellar exploration and are perfect for keeping the spirit of the game alive while you navigate your daily missions. From vibrant alien worlds to iconic ships from the universe, there’s a wallpaper for every spacefarer. Each time you glance at your screen, you’ll be reminded of the thril... [read more]

12/19/2024 By redskittlesonly in Star Control Journals

Trade Up Your Desktop: Offworld Trading Co. Wallpapers Await

As you gear up for your next session in Offworld Trading Co., why not elevate your desktop with our collection of stunning wallpapers? These visuals capture the essence of interplanetary commerce and are perfect for keeping the Offworld spirit alive while you tackle your daily tasks. From breathtaking alien landscapes to sleek designs featuring your favorite factions, there’s something for every trader. Each time you glance at your screen, you’ll be reminded of the strategic gamep... [read more]

12/19/2024 By redskittlesonly in Offworld Dev Journals

Sins II: Behind the Scenes: Avast Ye Buccaneers! Pirate Concepts Ahead!

Greetings, Commanders! Today, we’re lifting the curtain on the chaotic and deadly fleet of the pirate minor faction in Sins of a Solar Empire II. From the smallest frigates to the looming Pirate Base, every ship tells a story of rebellion, ruthlessness, and survival. In this dev diary, we’re excited to share insights into the design process for four key units: the Rogue Frigate, Corsair Cruiser, Pillager Siege Frigate, and the domineering Pirate Base. We’ll also hear from our Art Director, Cr... [read more]

12/18/2024 By Unikraken in Sins Dev Journals

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #86 - Megastructures: Gigamass

The Megastructures expansion has two new resources for you to play with: Energy and Gigamass. We briefly covered both back in developer journal #84 , but today I’d like to focus on Gigamass. Gigamass is a limited, somewhat scarce and very valuable resource, being tied to the Dead Worlds found orbiting the various stars on the game map. Aside from a very small amount that can be gained from Events here and there, once the galaxy’s supply is used up, there’ll be no more. The race to ... [read more]

12/17/2024 By BATTLEMODE in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

Now Out: Unity Ascendant Update for Sins of a Solar Empire II

v1.31 "Unity Ascendant" brings Steam Achievements, Additional New Gravity Wells, and Advent Unity Ability Updates Full Changelog Here | Get Sins II Now This update not only enhances the gameplay experience but also introduces a plethora of new features that will excite both veterans and newcomers alike. From Steam achievements to significant improvements for the Advent Unity abilities, this update is a game-changer. Steam and Epic Achievements: One of the m... [read more]

12/17/2024 By redskittlesonly in Sins of a Solar Empire News

Video Blog: Technological Domination

In the vast expanse of the cosmos, where empires rise and fall by the hand of devious warlords, strategic planning is paramount. Welcome to Sins of a Solar Empire II, a game that challenges players to not only conquer their foes but to master the art of technological advancement. Today, we delve into the heart of this strategy game: the Research system, using the formidable Advent Reborn faction as our guide. The Importance of Research In the race for galactic supremacy, your civiliz... [read more]

12/11/2024 By redskittlesonly in Sins Dev Journals

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #85 - Megastructures: Stellar Nexus Deep Dive

Megastructures is Here! The long-awaited DLC for Galactic Civilizations IV has arrived, bringing with it a plethora of powerful new Megastructures. In this week's dev journal, we're diving deep into one of the expansion's titular Megastructures: The Stellar Nexus. Stellar Nexus Stellar Nexuses are colossal, versatile Megastructures constructed around stars. Each Nexus offers incredible bonuses to fleets and colonies across your civilization, tailored to your chosen Nexus Augment. U... [read more]

12/10/2024 By DraconicDesign in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

Megastructures Expansion and Free Content Update Available Now

Acclaimed 4X strategy title adds colossal structures that create new conflict and diplomatic opportunities for late-game empires Get the Galactic Civilizations IV: Megastructures Expansion Steam | Epic Games Store | Stardock The next technological leap for galactic empires is here. Today, Stardock officially releases Galactic Civilizations IV: Megastructures , bringing new opportunities for players to harness the... [read more]

12/10/2024 By redskittlesonly in GalCiv News

Sins II Ship Series: The TEC Sova Carrier

Welcome to our ongoing Ship Series for Sins of a Solar Empire II. In each entry we’ll be looking at the major units that define Sins II gameplay. Today we’ll be looking at the TEC Sova Carrier. Sova Background Unlike many of the units in the TEC arsenal, the Sova has always been a military carrier ship. Before the war started, the Sova was deployed for policing actions against pirate raiders. Its strikecraft were more than a match for taking out pirate incursions and the Sova’s built-in manu... [read more]

12/4/2024 By Yarlen in Sins Dev Journals

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