Paradox Interactive heads for the stars in Stellaris. Usually a maker of historical strategy games, Paradox has built a sci-fi launch pad for itself with grand strategems like Europa Universalis and Crusader Kings. Besides, shifting a few years ahead isn't all that crazy for them. Paradox would say that "science fiction is history in the future." Stellaris is all about the things you'd expect from a traditional 4X'er, but if Crusader Kings II is any indication, then Stellaris puts heavy emphasis on the personality quirks—good and bad—of your command staff.
There will be 1,000 procedurally generated star systems in the game. There will be neutron stars, black holes, blue giants, etc. Three distinct game phases punctuate the gameplay. Phase one is exploration. Phase two is social (alien) contact, networking, and diplomacy. Phase three is pretty much conflict, even if you take a more pacifistic route leading up to that stage. "Our games are a big decision machine," Paradox says. "You have to make good decisions all the time."
Stellaris is scheduled for launch in one month, May 9, on PC. I've been fooled before into thinking I'm smart enough for Paradox games. I may want to try again. And beat my head against a desk. You know, for fun.
Stellaris Video Explores Science Fiction Roots of Game Design Creative Team Discusses Inspiration for Paradox's First Sci-Fi Grand Strategy Game STOCKHOLM — April 8th, 2016 — Paradox Interactive, a publisher and developer of games with universal appeal, today released a Developer Diary video for Stellaris, the forthcoming sci-fi grand strategy game from Paradox Development Studio.
Stellaris, which challenges players to explore a new universe and establish an empire across the stars, breaks from the traditionally historical settings of the Paradox catalog. In the new video, the lead creators of Stellaris discuss the challenges of exploring a new genre, and elaborate on the methods used to evoke new experiences for players. Stellaris will be released for Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs on May 9, 2016.
Stellaris is the new science fiction strategy game from Paradox Development Studio, the creators of Crusader Kings, Europa Universalis and Hearts of Iron. This will be the first strategy game from PDS that is rooted not in the past, but the future, as you guide a species of your design to power and glory in the depths of space. With randomly created opponents and procedurally generated star systems, no two games can ever play out the same way.
