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Dev Journal 19 - Sound Design in Sins of a Solar Empire

In Sins 2's Space, Rich Audio Reigns Supreme by Unlock Audio ’s Jon Ruse When Ironclad Games first reached out to Unlock Audio for sound design support, I had no idea just how deeply our creative collaboration would channel my lifelong love of science fiction media. I've worked on audio for sci-fi games previously, but teaming with Ironclad on "Sins of a Solar Empire II" has been particularly inspiring to both the kid in me who obsessed over the sonic charge of Jango Fett's sh... [read more]

8/28/2024 By Yarlen in Sins Dev Journals

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #70 - Cultural Progression

In Galactic Civilizations IV: Supernova the beliefs, customs and social dynamics of your civilisation are determined by your Culture, consisting of an amalgamation of eight different in-game Ideologies. These aren’t just there for flavour, they can bestow powerful benefits and abilities for your fledgling empire. Let’s take a look at how Culture and Ideology works together! Each Ideology is comprised of a tree of linked bonuses, known as Ideological Traits, which can be unlocked by sp... [read more]

8/27/2024 By BATTLEMODE in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

Creator Spotlight: Sins of a Solar Empire II

The Steam release of Sins of a Solar Empire II has inspired many and we are thrilled to highlight some of our Sins content creators. If you’re looking for epic battles, strategies, or reviews, these creators are here to deliver.  Worth a Buy:  Sins of a Solar Empire II Review Longtime gamer and video game reviewer known for his honesty and expertise.   Montu Plays:  Should You Buy Sins Of A Solar Empire 2? One of the best names in Sci-... [read more]

8/26/2024 By redskittlesonly in Sins of a Solar Empire News

Video Blog: The TEC Spotlight

In the vast expanse of space, where alliances are fragile and enemies lurk at every corner, the Trader Emergency Coalition (TEC) stands as a beacon of industrial might and resilience. As the TEC battles on two fronts, their story unfolds in the much-anticipated sequel, Sins of a Solar Empire II. Buckle up, gamers, as we dive into the lore, mechanics, and combat capabilities of the TEC, a faction that refuses to be extinguished. Lore: The Genesis of the TEC The origins of the TEC tr... [read more]

8/21/2024 By redskittlesonly in Sins Dev Journals

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #69 - Who's a Bad Influence?

Hello everyone, nice to meet you! I am DraconicDesign, the new Associate Game Designer on Galactic Civilizations IV. Moving forward, I will be making periodic contributions to the GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journals. I hope you’ll look forward to hearing more from Battlemode and myself as we continue spotlighting GalCiv's various systems! In Galactic Civilizations IV, Influence is a powerful (and often overlooked) tool in many players’ arsenals. Influence controls the spread of your civilizatio... [read more]

8/20/2024 By DraconicDesign in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

NOW OUT ON STEAM: Sins of a Solar Empire II

A new era begins as the sequel to one of the most beloved strategy titles of all time releases today on Steam with new dynamic maps, deeper combat, and more. PURCHASE OPTIONS (see image below for more info) Buy on Steam   |  Buy on Epic Games Empires will rise and fall as Sins of a Solar Empire II is now available to purchase on Steam . The base game edition is available at a special discount price of $39.99 on both Steam and the Epic Games Store... [read more]

8/15/2024 By redskittlesonly in Sins of a Solar Empire News

Video Blog: The Advent Spotlight - Sins II

A Return from Exile: The Advent's Vengeance in Sins of a Solar Empire II   In the vast expanse of the cosmos, few tales are as compelling as the return of the Advent in Sins of a Solar Empire II. Exiled for their taboo practices, this highly advanced civilization has honed their technology and spiritual prowess over a millennium, waiting for the perfect moment to strike back. Now, they return, burning with vengeance, ready to reclaim their homeworld and fulfill their prophecies of do... [read more]

8/7/2024 By redskittlesonly in Sins Dev Journals

Announcing: Reddit AMA with the Sins of a Solar Empire II Team

Join the Sins of a Solar Empire II Team for a Reddit AMA! Exciting news for all Sins of a Solar Empire II fans! Some of the development team will be hosting a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) session, giving you the chance to ask your questions and get exclusive insights directly from the creators. 📅 Date: August 13, 2024 ⏰ Time: 1PM ET - 3PM ET 📍 Location:  https://www.reddit.com/r/SoSE/   Curious about the new gameplay mechanics, the development process, or what's co... [read more]

8/6/2024 By redskittlesonly in Sins of a Solar Empire News

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #68 - Economy Primer

Building a strong economy is a foundational aspect of all 4X games, regardless of your overarching aims in that particular campaign: whether you’re racing for a technological victory by researching the most advanced technologies, or raising an unstoppable military juggernaut to crush your enemies with, “the sinews of war are infinite gold” to quote Cicero. Or, in the case of Galactic Civilization’s IV: Supernova, infinite credits. And even that timeless wisdom doesn’t quite do things justice ... [read more]

8/6/2024 By BATTLEMODE in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

Steam Launch Livestreams for Sins II

Join Us for Our Steam Launch Livestream Event Mark your calendars   |  Wishlist Now We are thrilled to announce that we will be hosting a special livestream to celebrate the launch of our game on Steam! 📍 Location: Sins of a Solar Empire II Steam Page   📅  Thursday, August 15: 9am - 11am ET 1pm - 3pm ET 3pm - 6pm ET 📅  Friday, August 16: 1pm - 3pm ET 3pm - 6pm ET 📅  Saturday, August 17: 9am - 11am ET ... [read more]

8/2/2024 By redskittlesonly in Sins of a Solar Empire News

Digital Unicorn: DBusiness talks Stardock System's history and growth

As a developer of productivity software and video games inPlymouth Township, Stardock Systems Inc. is no longer ‘themost famous company you’ve never heard of. by Ronald Ahrens One day last spring, Brad Wardell found himself in suburban Baltimore for some meetings when he joked about video conferencing being bad for his step count. Wardell, founder, president, and CEO of Stardock Systems Inc. in Plymouth Township, was visiting Oxide Games, a Stardock subsidiary in Timonium, M... [read more]

8/1/2024 By wasabi_md in Stardock Entertainment Announcements

Steam Launch Date Announced for Sins II

Launching on Steam August 15, 2024 Sequel to beloved strategy title features new asymmetric playstyles, dynamically changing maps, deeper tactical combat, expanded strategic depth, and more. Wishlist Now A new chapter in the never-ending war for the galaxy will be written as Stardock and Ironclad Games announce that Sins of a Solar Empire II is set to release on Steam on Thursday, Aug. 15. The sequel to one of the most beloved strategy titles of all time, Sins of a S... [read more]

8/1/2024 By redskittlesonly in Sins of a Solar Empire News

GalCiv IV: Supernova: Dev Journal #67 - Plan Your Research

To follow on from our previous developer blogs aimed at onboarding new players into our flagship turn-based space 4X game, Galactic Civilizations IV: Supernova, this week I thought we’d have a look at a simple system you can use to select a plan of technological development that will best fit your current game situation. Technology, from a top down perspective, is pretty easy to understand in Space 4X: you generate some kind of research resource, in GalCiv ours is conveniently called Rese... [read more]

7/24/2024 By BATTLEMODE in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

Sins II: Dev Journal 18 - The Factions of Sins

In the vast, war-torn universe of Sins of a Solar Empire II, three distinct factions vie for dominance: the Trader Emergency Coalition (TEC), the Vasari Empire, and the Advent Unity. Each faction boasts a rich history, unique technological advancements, and a compelling narrative that shapes their strategies and cultures. Here's a concise look at the lore behind these three formidable factions. The Trader Emergency Coalition (TEC) History and Formation: The TEC was born out of necessi... [read more]

7/24/2024 By redskittlesonly in Sins Dev Journals

v1.12 Update: Adds J.D. Vance, Recent Real-World Issues, More Customization

v1.12 Update: Adds J.D. Vance, real-world issues, new custom candidate body parts, and improved gameplay experiences The Political Machine 2024 continues to evolve with this update, bringing several new updates that include the addition of J. D. Vance as Donald Trump’s running mate, the introduction of timely real-world issues such as Trump’s Assassination Attempt, and expanded customization options for creating unique candidates. This update also includes various gameplay improve... [read more]

7/24/2024 By redskittlesonly in Political Machine News

Video Blog: Evolution of Sins II Pt.5 - eXterminate

Mighty warships, deadly defenses, superior strategies… Welcome to the universe of Sins of a Solar Empire II! In this latest installment, we delve into the heart of the game’s eXterminate phase, where tactical brilliance and strategic foresight are your greatest allies. eXterminate: The Ultimate Objective In Sins of a Solar Empire, the 4X elements—eXplore, eXpand, and eXploit—culminate in the ultimate goal: to eXterminate your rivals. This involves winning decis... [read more]

7/17/2024 By redskittlesonly in Sins Dev Journals

The Political Machine 2024 v1.11 Now Available

The Political Machine 2024 v1.11 brings  Game Balance Changes and Quality of Life Adjustments Buy Now   |  Full Changelog As the political landscape continues to evolve, so does The Political Machine 2024. The latest update, v1.11, is here, and it’s packed with changes that directly address player feedback, game quality, and balancing. Here’s a look at the highlights of this update. Core Improvements The core of this update focuses on refin... [read more]

7/16/2024 By redskittlesonly in Political Machine News

Sins II: Dev Journal 17 - The Vasari Kortul Devastator

The Kortul Devastator battleship class has been the backbone of the Vasari military since the days of the old empire. Within the Exodus Fleet, the Kortul still performs as a powerful sustained combat ship, but also houses many civilians as well. The Kortul’s high powered weapons are designed to make short work of armored targets and its special abilities allow it to remain in combat for a prolonged period. Armaments 3 x Fixed Wave Cannons 7 x Phase Missile Launchers 6 x Beam C... [read more]

7/10/2024 By Yarlen in Sins Dev Journals

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #66 - Grab That Space Junk!

Following on from last week where we gave some advice on game settings to new players coming into Galactic Civilizations IV for the first time, this time around we’re going to examine a crucial 4X game feature that often goes overlooked by new players: the “goodie hut”, or Anomalies , to give them their proper GalCiv name. The 4X gameplay staple mechanic of collectable resources randomly scattered across the map goes way back to the original Sid Meier’s Civilization at least, and is so ingr... [read more]

7/9/2024 By BATTLEMODE in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

Video Blog: Evolution of Sins II Pt.4 - eXploit

Sins of a Solar Empire II: A Deep Dive into the eXploit Mechanics The galaxy is a vast and treacherous expanse, teeming with opportunities for those bold enough to seize them. Welcome to the intricate world of Sins of a Solar Empire II, where the eXploit mechanics of 4X gaming take center stage. From resource management to economic strategies, this game offers a rich tapestry of choices that will shape the destiny of your empire. Let's delve into the complexities of Credits, Metal, Crys... [read more]

7/3/2024 By redskittlesonly in Sins Dev Journals

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #65 - Who to Play First?

Galactic Civilizations IV: Supernova has had a large influx of new players in recent months and the game can be a little overwhelming to first time players. We’re going to take a look at a good game setup for a first time player. Before we do though, let’s look at some of the key ingredients that go into shaping a playthrough. There are 23 prebuilt playable factions in the game, that we call the Core Civilizations, and while the AlienGPT custom civilization builder ensures these aren’t your ... [read more]

7/2/2024 By BATTLEMODE in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

Save up to 80% during the Summer Sale

The Steam Summer Sale is Here -  Get Up to 80% Off* STEAM KEYS ARE PROVIDED WITH PURCHASE FEATURED TITLE: Sins of a Solar Empire II Coming this Summer to Steam - Wishlist Now   Galactic Civilizations IV $49.99 Now $34.99 The Political Machine 2024 $19.99 Now $15.99 Star Control: Origins $29.99 Now $10.19 Galactic Civilizations III ( Includes FREE: Crusade and Ret... [read more]

6/27/2024 By redskittlesonly in Stardock Entertainment Announcements

GalCiv IV: Species Pack Update and Feature Breakdown

Last week we released the Species Pack DLC and today we've made updates to that pack that include; more species, multi-selecting portraits, and adding the ability to  'copy species' .   All GalCiv IV players will see  minor tweaks to the base species, improved AlienGPT image generation, and some bug fixes. See the full changelog below.   For clarity on what's included in Galactic Civilizations IV versus what's exclusive to the Species Pack, please r... [read more]

6/27/2024 By redskittlesonly in GalCiv News

Sins II Dev Journal 16 - The Jarrasul Evacuator

Most of the Vasari population reside aboard Jarrasul Evacuator class capital ships, making them vital to the race’s survival. Though the Jarrasul has been modified over the millennia, its key role has never changed. During the empire’s height, the Vasari would rarely establish surface colonies on occupied worlds, preferring instead to rule from orbit in these floating cities. Armaments 1 x Light Wave Cannon 4 x Medium Beam Cannons 2 x Point-Defense Pulse Guns Planetary ... [read more]

6/26/2024 By Yarlen in Sins Dev Journals

Now Available: v1.1 Command & Conquer Update

v1.1 Command & Conquer Update introduces the War Room & Enhanced Endorsement System  Today, Stardock Entertainment released the v1.1 Command & Conquer Update for its political strategy game, The Political Machine 2024. This update includes the introduction of the War Room, a revamped Endorsement System, and several quality-of-life improvements aimed at enhancing the player experience. The v1.1 Command & Conquer update introduces two major features designed to de... [read more]

6/25/2024 By redskittlesonly in Political Machine News

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #64 - Species Pack Playstyle Ideas

We’ve examined the Citizens in Galactic Civilizations IV: Supernova quite a bit recently, and I’m hoping that one important point was made loud and clear: when added to the myriad of other player selectable or customisable game features, Citizens provide you more options in building your own unique playstyle for that particular playthrough. This week we’ll take a look at the reasoning behind the variation in Species Traits between Core Species, the generic types and some of the new ones we a... [read more]

6/25/2024 By BATTLEMODE in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

NOW OUT: Species Pack DLC & v2.7 “Taxonomy” Update for Galactic Civilizations IV

New DLC Introduces Unique Alien Species, Customization Tools, and Community Sharing Features  Stardock has released the anticipated Species Pack DLC for its popular space 4X game, Galactic Civilizations IV, along with the major free update, v2.7 "Taxonomy." This latest DLC and update bring a wealth of new content and features that promise to enrich the gameplay experience for all space strategy enthusiasts.    The free v2.7 "Taxonomy" update introduces significant enhan... [read more]

6/20/2024 By redskittlesonly in GalCiv News

Video Blog: Evolution of Sins II Pt.3 - eXplore, eXpand

Welcome, spacefarers! Today, we embark on an interstellar journey through the highly anticipated sequel to one of the most beloved 4X real-time strategy games: Sins of a Solar Empire II. Buckle up as we explore the galaxy, expand our empires, and delve into the improvements and new features that make this game a must-play for strategy enthusiasts. What is a 4X Game? For the uninitiated, 4X stands for eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate. This genre of empire-building strategy ga... [read more]

6/19/2024 By redskittlesonly in Sins Dev Journals

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #63 - v2.7 Taxonomy & Species Pack

AlienGPT is a remarkable system in terms the technology that runs it, and its ability to rapidly generate a believable custom civilization with minimal input from the player. Given a simple prompt, and tweaking a few extra settings, AlienGPT generates a unique faction to play, with its own name, background lore, selectable leader picture and Civilization Abilities and Traits to match. Not so long ago, AlienGPT was updated to include the generation of a unique Citizen name and background,... [read more]

6/18/2024 By BATTLEMODE in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

Livestream: Species Pack DLC and v2.7 Taxonomy Update

Attention all Galactic Civilizations IV fans! We are thrilled to announce an exclusive livestream event that you don't want to miss. Dive deep into the Species Pack DLC and v2.7 Taxonomy Update. When? June 20, 2024 at 1PM ET - 3 PM ET Where? On  our Steam page . What to Expect? We'll showcase live gameplay of the new Species Pack DLC, including the new species, customization tools, and phenotypes. We'll also explore the v2.7 "Taxonomy" update fea... [read more]

6/17/2024 By redskittlesonly in GalCiv News

Sins II: Dev Journal 15 - The Vasari Exodus Vorastra Titan

From the depths of deep space where the Dark Fleet dwells comes the Vasari Exodus' Vorastra-class titan. Originally designed as a means to keep insurgent elements deterred in the old empire, the Vorastra continues to serve as the Exodus faction’s most lethal weapon. At a glance, the Vorastra may seem under-powered compared to the Vasari Alliance’s Kultorask titan class, but this would be a mistake. The Vorastra’s strength comes from being highly mobile and from its ability to deal massive... [read more]

6/12/2024 By Yarlen in Sins Dev Journals

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #62 - We Are Not Just Numbers!

I was reading some interesting feedback from a community member on Discord the other day, and that feedback read something along the lines of “Citizens seem like a superfluous system, they don’t really add much to the game and could probably be removed without much loss to the gameplay.” I considered that statement for a while, and it was an interesting thought experiment to consider what GalCiv would be like without the Citizens. I thought I’d talk today about why they’re important and ... [read more]

6/11/2024 By BATTLEMODE in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

Video Blog: Evolution of Sins II Pt. 2 - Game-Changing RTS Features

Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games are undergoing a transformation, and at the forefront of this evolution is *Sins of a Solar Empire II*. This highly anticipated sequel promises to blend the strategic depth of 4X games with the tactical intensity of RTS, just as its predecessor, *Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion*, did so masterfully. But what exactly sets Sins II apart? Let's dive in.     A Hybrid Masterpiece: RTS Meets 4X Is Sins of a Solar Empire II a classic RTS or ... [read more]

6/5/2024 By redskittlesonly in Sins Dev Journals

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #61 - Pressure vs. Sandbox Playstyles

There’s good news and bad news. The good news is that a lot of really exciting new content for Galactic Civilizations IV: Supernova is coming very soon! The bad news is that, unfortunately, I cannot talk about any of it quite yet. Frogboy has been disseminating bits and pieces over on our GalCiv Discord channel, though, so I invite you all to take a look and get involved in the discussions going on there. As an apology for teasing you, I’ll make amends by showing off a core game featu... [read more]

6/4/2024 By BATTLEMODE in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

Creator Spotlight: Sins of a Solar Empire II

Hello, Sins of a Solar Empire II fans! Today, we're excited to shine a spotlight on some YouTube and Twitch streamers who have been diving deep into Sins II. Whether you're looking for strategic insights, entertaining gameplay, or just some quality space-faring fun, these creators have got you covered. Check out their channels and be sure to follow them:   Colonel Damneders A content creator specializing in lists, guides, insights and tips. A huge fan of Warhammer 3, wi... [read more]

5/29/2024 By redskittlesonly in Sins Dev Journals

GalCiv IV: Supernova Dev Journal #60 - Trade Routes & Diplomacy

We’ve recently released a large update to Galactic Civilizations: IV Supernova called v2.6 “ Reinforcements” , and for more information you can read the patch notes linked. This update focused mostly on bugfixes, balance, options to allow you to further customize the user-interface and some awesome new ship designs for the Terran Alliance and Terran Resistance, which we covered last week. This was one of the bigger patches we’ve released in a while and should improve the overall experie... [read more]

5/28/2024 By BATTLEMODE in GalCiv IV Dev Journals

WXYZ Detroit Interviews Stardock

Plymouth company's 'The Political Machine' game lets you run a presidential campaign By Sarah Michals PLYMOUTH, Mich. (WXYZ) — Plymouth-based software development and game company Stardock is launching a 2024 version of its computer game "The Political Machine." In the locally-made game, players are asked to stretch their political strategy muscles, playing as real-life presidential candidates vying for the White House. Game creators tell us that in past elections, t... [read more]

5/24/2024 By redskittlesonly in Political Machine News

Now Available: Galactic Civilizations IV v2.6 Reinforcements Update

Galactic Civilizations IV v2.6 Reinforcements Update Brings Visual Overhauls and Gameplay Enhancements The latest update for Galactic Civilizations IV, v2.6 Reinforcements, is now available, and it's packed with a host of changes aimed at enhancing both the visual appeal and gameplay mechanics of the game.  Get GalCiv IV Now Visual Overhaul on Ships and New Ship Parts One of the most notable changes in update 2.6 is the major visual overhaul of the Terran Alliance a... [read more]

5/22/2024 By redskittlesonly in GalCiv News

Evolution of Sins II Pt. 1 - Top New Features

Deeper strategy, enhanced tactics, and an all-improved game experience... This is Sins of a Solar Empire II. Wishlist on Steam Now A Look Back at Sins: Rebellion The Sins of a Solar Empire series has long been a staple in the real-time strategy (RTS) genre, blending elements of 4X gameplay—explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate—into a seamless and engaging experience. The stand-alone expansion, Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, set a new benchmark with its intr... [read more]

5/22/2024 By redskittlesonly in Sins Dev Journals

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