Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Stardock announces dev investment fund, showing two new games this year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/stardock-announces-dev-investment-fund-showing-two-new-games-th/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/stardock-announces-dev-investment-fund-showing-two-new-games-th/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/stardock-announces-dev-investment-fund-showing-two-new-games-th/#comments Stardock starting investment fund, plans two game announcements this yearDeveloper Stardock has announced the beginning of an investment fund to support up-and-coming developers. When Stardock sold distribution service Impulse to GameStop, it earned "some unprecedented opportunities," says CEO Brad Wardell. The fiscal boon will help "to keep Stardock small and invest in start-ups."

These spinoffs, says Wardell, "should produce things that will help future start-ups in the technology industry." Some of the partnerships are already underway, though "not far enough along in what they're working on to publicize anything." Wardell's plan is to reveal more about the fund this summer, with news about the companies involved coming later.

Elsewhere in Stardock's customer report, Wardell says the company's internal teams are toward two new games to be revealed this year. One or both games may be the result of Stardock's work with consultant Soren Johnson, the former lead designer on Civilization 4.

Wardell also says Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion was "immensely successful," and that we can expect more from that series in the future.

JoystiqStardock announces dev investment fund, showing two new games this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcementsbrad-wardellcivilization-4fallen-enchantressgamesmobilepcsins-of-a-solar-empiresins-of-a-solar-empire-rebellionsoren-johnsonstardockFri, 12 Apr 2013 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam Holiday Sale, day 9: Assassin's Creed, Prototype, Left 4 Dead franchises and more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/28/steam-holiday-sale-day-9-assassins-creed-prototype-left-4-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/28/steam-holiday-sale-day-9-assassins-creed-prototype-left-4-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/28/steam-holiday-sale-day-9-assassins-creed-prototype-left-4-d/#comments Steam Holiday Sale, day 9 Assassin's Creed, Prototype, Left 4 Dead franchises and moreThe majority of mainstream shopping holidays have now reached a complete stop, but the sales live on - especially in the case of Valve's annual Steam Holiday Sale, which today enters its ninth day of dealing out discounted digital sundries.

PC gamers can save 25 to 75 percent on every game in the Assassin's Creed series, 75/50 percent off Prototype and Prototype 2 respectively, get Left 4 Dead and Left 4 Dead 2 for a cold dead $7.49, Limbo for a spooky $2.49, Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion for an astronomically low $13.59 and Just Cause 2 for a justified $3.74.

Yesterday's deals also remain active for another 20 hours or so, including LA Noire for $4.99, FTL for $4.99 and 33 percent off XCOM: Enemy Unknown. As always, flash sales and community choice sales change throughout the day.

JoystiqSteam Holiday Sale, day 9: Assassin's Creed, Prototype, Left 4 Dead franchises and more originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Dec 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Assassins-Creedfaster-than-lightFTLftl-faster-than-lightJust-Cause-2LA-Noireleft-4-deadleft-4-dead-2limbomacpcprototypeprototype-2Sins-of-a-Solar-Empiresins-of-a-solar-empire-rebellionsteam-holiday-saleSteam-Holiday-Sale-2012Valvexcom-enemy-unknownFri, 28 Dec 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fanmade mod combines Sins of a Solar Empire chocolate with Mass Effect peanut butter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/10/fanmade-mod-combines-sins-of-a-solar-empire-chocolate-with-mass/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/10/fanmade-mod-combines-sins-of-a-solar-empire-chocolate-with-mass/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/10/fanmade-mod-combines-sins-of-a-solar-empire-chocolate-with-mass/#comments Sins of a Solar Empire mod is all about Mass EffectSins of a Solar Empire is an award-winning RTS space battle game, and Mass Effect is an epic action RPG universe with enough lore to fill a library. What happens when you smash the two together in the particle accelerator chamber that is a fan-created mod? You get Mass Effect: Dawn of the Reapers, a full conversion for Sins that lets you command ships like the Normandy against various Mass Effect-inspired units, including those of the Geth, Volus, and Cerberus' ships as well.

There's lots more planned for the mod, including even more races and ships designed straight from Bioware's epic series. Unfortunately, the mod itself isn't available to the public just yet, and the release of Mass Effect 3 pushed it back for some more lore and spec tweaks. Still, when it's available it will work with both Sins' Diplomacy expansion and the standalone Rebellion version as well.

JoystiqFanmade mod combines Sins of a Solar Empire chocolate with Mass Effect peanut butter originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarediplomacyfanmademass-effectmass-effect-3modpcrebellionsinssins-of-a-solar-empiresins-of-a-solar-empire-rebellionstardockuser-contentWed, 10 Oct 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rebellion sues Stardock for its use of the word 'Rebellion']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/rebellion-sues-stardock-for-its-use-of-the-word-rebellion/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/rebellion-sues-stardock-for-its-use-of-the-word-rebellion/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/rebellion-sues-stardock-for-its-use-of-the-word-rebellion/#comments Rebellion sues Stardock for use of the word 'Rebellion'It's a strange day for Stardock when we say this is the second-weirdest lawsuit involving the company that we've seen today, but it's true. UK developer Rebellion (makers of the 2010 Aliens vs. Predator game) has decided to sue developer Stardock (publisher of Sins of a Solar Empire) because of the name of the latest Sins of the Solar Empire expansion, Rebellion. The court documents say that Rebellion (the studio) has a trademark on that word, and accuse Rebellion (the game), of causing customers "to mistakenly believe that the developer of the game Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion is in fact plaintiff Rebellion."

The developer of the expansion is actually Ironclad Games. But the lawsuit claims that from the logo and game name to a YouTube description for the game (mentioning "the developers over at 'Rebellion'"), Stardock knowingly profited off of the "Rebellion" trademark.

The litigation asks for Stardock to be enjoined from selling the game any further, to turn over any infringing materials, and for both damages in the case as well as the court and attorney's fees. Presumably, the complaint will next go in front of a Michigan judge, who will then decide on whether or not the issue can move forward.

JoystiqRebellion sues Stardock for its use of the word 'Rebellion' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamesinfringementlawsuitpcrebellionsins-of-a-solar-empiresins-of-a-solar-empire-rebellionstardocktrademarkThu, 16 Aug 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion sells 100K, breaks Stardock records]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/26/sins-of-a-solar-empire-rebellion-sells-100k-breaks-stardock-re/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/26/sins-of-a-solar-empire-rebellion-sells-100k-breaks-stardock-re/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/26/sins-of-a-solar-empire-rebellion-sells-100k-breaks-stardock-re/#comments Sins of a Solar Empire Rebellion sells 100,000 units digitally, breaks Stardock recordsStardock has announced that Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, the latest stand-alone expansion of the acclaimed RTS hit, has broken company records and become its fastest-selling release to date. The game has sold over 100,000 units since its launch last month, which is not only a solid number for any indie game but also beats the first 30 days of the original Sins of a Solar Empire.

Though the original Sins was also released at retail, Rebellion was not, and the digital plan ended up working better than any of the company's PC retail releases. Stardock's CEO, Brad Wardell, said he believed that selling the game on Steam would take sales away from other channels, but Steam sales of the expansion "didn't cannibalize its GameStop or direct sales."

Releasing digitally had other benefits as well, like letting Stardock announce the release at the last minute. Wardell says both of Stardock's other games this year, Elemental: Fallen Enchantress and Political Machine 2012, will follow the same launch plan.

JoystiqSins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion sells 100K, breaks Stardock records originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brad-wardelldigitalexpansiongamestopimpulsepcrebellionreleasessins-of-a-solar-empiresins-of-a-solar-empire-rebellionstardocksteamThu, 26 Jul 2012 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sins of a Solar Empire added to Steam, more Stardock titles coming soon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/sins-of-a-solar-empire-added-to-steam-more-stardock-titles-comi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/sins-of-a-solar-empire-added-to-steam-more-stardock-titles-comi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/sins-of-a-solar-empire-added-to-steam-more-stardock-titles-comi/#comments Stardock and Ironclad Games' Sins of a Solar Empire: Trinity, the bundled collection of the epic space armada RTS and its mini-expansions, is available now on Steam. After selling over 2 million units, mostly through Stardock's Impulse digital distribution system, the game is finally warping over to Valve's service.

"With the sale of our former PC digital download technology to GameStop earlier this year, we no longer have any conflicts of interest in offering our titles to other digital distribution channels," said Brad Wardell, CEO of Stardock. "We are starting with Sins of a Solar Empire: Trinity with other titles being made available over the coming weeks."

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, a "full-fledged expansion" of the series and not a sequel, is expected to launch next spring. Stardock plans to add more of its catalog in "the coming weeks."

[Thanks, Daniel]

Gallery: Sins of a Solar Empire

Continue reading Sins of a Solar Empire added to Steam, more Stardock titles coming soon

JoystiqSins of a Solar Empire added to Steam, more Stardock titles coming soon originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ironclad-gamespcSinsSins-of-a-Solar-Empiresins-of-a-solar-empire-rebellionWed, 16 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sins of a Solar Empire Trinity is $21 this weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/sins-of-a-solar-empire-trinity-is-21-this-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/sins-of-a-solar-empire-trinity-is-21-this-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/sins-of-a-solar-empire-trinity-is-21-this-weekend/#comments The full Sins of a Solar Empire experience, known as Trinity, is on sale this weekend through Impulse. The game is 33% off, bringing the total asking price to around $21 in United States, Earth credits. Trinity includes the original Sins of a Solar Empire, along with micro-expansion packs Entrenchment and Diplomacy.

It should be noted that Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, which is described as a "full-fledged expansion" to the series, will be available later this year. Brian Clair, director of publishing for Stardock, told us in early March that Rebellion will build upon the gameplay introduced in the original Sins and its micro-expansions. You'll have to make the strategic decision whether to grab Trinity now or save the credits to go toward a fuller cargo bay (at, likely, a higher cost) later.

Gallery: Sins of a Solar Empire

JoystiqSins of a Solar Empire Trinity is $21 this weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ironcladironclad-gamespcSinsSins-of-a-Solar-EmpireSins-of-a-solar-empire-trinitystardockFri, 22 Apr 2011 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stardock announces Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, 'free to play' dev tools for Impulse SDK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/sins-of-a-solar-empire-rebellion/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/sins-of-a-solar-empire-rebellion/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/sins-of-a-solar-empire-rebellion/#comments Stardock announced a new Sins of a Solar Empire expansion today, subtitled Rebellion. In a separate press release, the company revealed a major update to its game development platform, Impulse Reactor, which will allow developers to implement "free to play" gaming through the Impulse digital distribution network.

The Impulse Reactor update is expected to go live this month and will add features to the SDK enabling "free to play" elements for games running on the Impulse platform. If you're one of the millions of players that has dropped coin on Riot Games' League of Legends or Turbine's DDO or Lord of the Rings Online, you've probably got a good idea of the potential here.

As for Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, it's described as a "full-fledged expansion" of the 4X RTS space series -- not a sequel. Brian Clair, director of publishing for Stardock, told us that, like the original, Rebellion will not feature a single-player campaign, but will build upon the gameplay introduced in the original Sins and its micro-expansions.

Given the timing of the Rebellion announcement alongside news of the upcoming "free to play" options added to Impulse Reactor, we asked if this next Sins would be a free-to-play title. "Definitely not," Clair said, though pricing has not been set.

Rebellion will support achievements, multiplayer leagues and other features. Speaking to concerns voiced by players that don't have the hours to set aside for a standstard multiplayer match in Sins, Clair said, "We're going to continue looking at ways to address that for folks who want to get a game in under an hour."

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion is expected to be released in late 2011; however a Stardock representative told us the company is taking the "done when it's done" approach to development.

Continue reading Stardock announces Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, 'free to play' dev tools for Impulse SDK

JoystiqStardock announces Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, 'free to play' dev tools for Impulse SDK originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian-clairimpulseimpulse-reactorpcsdkSinsSins-of-a-Solar-Empiresins-of-a-solar-empire-rebellionstardockTue, 01 Mar 2011 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Sins of a Solar Empire for $4; Mass Effect and Dragon Age bundles part of Impulse sale]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/sins-of-a-solar-empire-for-4-mass-effect-and-dragon-age-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/sins-of-a-solar-empire-for-4-mass-effect-and-dragon-age-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/sins-of-a-solar-empire-for-4-mass-effect-and-dragon-age-bundle/#comments Impulse's Memorial Day sale this weekend has Sins of a Solar Empire at the heavenly price of $4. Go buy it now -- full stop. Whatever nit-picky issues the 4X strategy title may have can be thrown out an airlock at that price point. It may lack a single-player campaign to teach the ropes of glorious galactic armada warfare, but setting up a medium-sized map using normal AI is a good place to start. Which reminds us: Gratuitous Space Battles is also on sale.

Impulse also has a more mainstream space opera experience on sale with the first two chapters in the Mass Effect saga bundled for $42. Want something not involving spaceships? There's a Dragon Age: Origins bundle, which includes the original game and Awakening, for $48 -- that'll definitely keep you busy all weekend. Check out the rest of the Impulse weekend sales after the break.

Gallery: Sins of a Solar Empire

Continue reading Sins of a Solar Empire for $4; Mass Effect and Dragon Age bundles part of Impulse sale

JoystiqSins of a Solar Empire for $4; Mass Effect and Dragon Age bundles part of Impulse sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 May 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dragon-age-originsdragon-age-origins-awakeningGratuitous-space-battlesimpulseIroncladIronclad-Studiosmass-effect-2RTSSinsSins-of-a-Solar-EmpirestardockStrategyFri, 28 May 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Braid, other PC titles on sale this weekend on Impulse]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/braid-other-pc-titles-on-sale-this-weekend-on-impulse/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/braid-other-pc-titles-on-sale-this-weekend-on-impulse/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/braid-other-pc-titles-on-sale-this-weekend-on-impulse/#comments This weekend the Impulse digital delivery store has a handful of games on sale including the critical and commercial darling Braid. Knocking 50% off each title, the sale also includes Sins of a Solar Empire from publisher Stardock -- also known as the guys and gals behind the Impulse service. Have a few extra dollars left over from the holiday season? Here's what you can get with that extra coin:
  • Alganon -- $21.69
  • King's Bounty: Armored Princes -- $27.73
  • Sins of a Solar Empire -- $18.47
  • World War 2: Time of Wrath -- $22.82
  • Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim -- $16.30
  • King's Bounty: The Legend -- $16.30
  • Braid -- $5.42
  • Supreme Commander: Gold Edition -- $16.30

JoystiqBraid, other PC titles on sale this weekend on Impulse originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alganonbargainsbraidimpulseimpulse-buyskings-bountykings-bounty-armored-princesskings-bounty-the-legendmajesty-2salesins-of-a-solar-empireSupreme-Commanderworld-war-2-time-of-wrathSat, 09 Jan 2010 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sins of a Solar Empire 'Trinity' set coming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/sins-of-a-solar-empire-wormhole-y-trinity-set-coming/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/sins-of-a-solar-empire-wormhole-y-trinity-set-coming/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/sins-of-a-solar-empire-wormhole-y-trinity-set-coming/#comments
Stardock has announced that an all-inclusive collection featuring its fab Windows-based 4X strategy title Sins of a Solar Empire, its first expansion, Entrenchment and the upcoming Diplomacy expansion will release on February 9 for $39.99. In addition to availability on Stardock's own Impulse digital distribution service, the set will make its way onto shelves across the US in something called a "box."

Anyone who pre-orders Sins of a Solar Empire - Trinity via Impulse will get instant access to the beta version of the Diplomacy expansion, which seems like a good strategy to us.

JoystiqSins of a Solar Empire 'Trinity' set coming originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4ximpulseironclad-gamesSins-of-a-Solar-Empiresins-of-a-solar-empire-diplomacysins-of-a-solar-empire-entrenchmentsins-of-a-solar-empire-trinitystardockWed, 09 Dec 2009 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Labor Day 'Impulse' buy: Sins, Demigod and Dawn of Discovery on sale]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/03/labor-day-impulse-buy-sins-demigod-and-dawn-of-discovery-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/03/labor-day-impulse-buy-sins-demigod-and-dawn-of-discovery-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/03/labor-day-impulse-buy-sins-demigod-and-dawn-of-discovery-on/#comments
With what we're told is the weekend of Labor Day ahead of us, an Impulse sale is trying to do its best to keep us indoors on this last unofficial weekend of summer. The Impulse store currently has some great titles at deep discounts.

Stardock-published games Sins of a Solar Empire (with Entrenchment) and Demigod are both only $20. Meanwhile, the economic real-time strategy sim Dawn of Discovery is $25. There's plenty of other deals, including World of Goo for $10, so try not to spend those last fleeting days of summer inside. We dare you.

[Via Big Download]

JoystiqLabor Day 'Impulse' buy: Sins, Demigod and Dawn of Discovery on sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dawn-of-discoverydealsdemigodimpulsesalessins-of-a-solar-empirestardockworld-of-gooThu, 03 Sep 2009 09:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Sins of a Solar Empire 'Diplomacy' beta begins fall, releases winter 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/25/sins-of-a-solar-empire-diplomacy-beta-begins-fall-releases-wi/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/25/sins-of-a-solar-empire-diplomacy-beta-begins-fall-releases-wi/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/25/sins-of-a-solar-empire-diplomacy-beta-begins-fall-releases-wi/#comments The second micro-expansion for PC sleeper hit Sins of a Solar Empire will release in winter 2010. The Diplomacy add-on will increase the number of ambassadorial options to players in their conquest of the galaxy. You know, sometimes it helps to talk through the issues. Ironclad and Stardock plan to have a beta for the expansion this fall in order to work out any Vasarian bugs.

Entrenchment and Diplomacy have both suffered delays while jumping into the digital distribution galaxy. A third micro-expansion for Sins was previously announced, so the full 4X RTS space opera experience should be completed sometime next year -- unless there are more delays, of course.

Gallery: Sins of a Solar Empire

JoystiqSins of a Solar Empire 'Diplomacy' beta begins fall, releases winter 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>falseironcladsins-of-a-solar-empirestardockTue, 25 Aug 2009 09:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Second Sins of a Solar Empire micro-expansion might take a while]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/14/second-sins-of-a-solar-empire-micro-expansion-might-take-a-while/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/14/second-sins-of-a-solar-empire-micro-expansion-might-take-a-while/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/14/second-sins-of-a-solar-empire-micro-expansion-might-take-a-while/#comments
With one out of the three planned "micro-expansions" for their flagship strategy title Sins of a Solar Empire under its belt, developer Ironclad Games has begun discussing changes included in the second batch of new content. Here's the good news: Ironclad is deep-sixing the current diplomacy system in favor of a deeper, more functional one. There's other minor changes as well, such as the inclusion of new terms of victory -- but peaceable relations seem to be the name of the game in expansion part deux.

Here's the inescapable bad news: Due to the radical changes the second expansion will bring about, it'll be a while before its ready to launch. Considering the first expansion missed three of its tentative launch windows, Ironclad co-founder Blair Frasier was gunshy when it came to revealing the release date for the new expansion. In his own words: "It'll be done when it's done." Brilliant.

JoystiqSecond Sins of a Solar Empire micro-expansion might take a while originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>entrenchmentironclad-gamesmicro-expansionpcrtssins-of-a-solar-empirestrategySat, 14 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Trailer of 'Entrenchment' for Sins of a Solar Empire shoots lasers, flies around]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/21/trailer-of-entrenchment-for-sins-of-a-solar-empire-shoots-lase/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/21/trailer-of-entrenchment-for-sins-of-a-solar-empire-shoots-lase/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/21/trailer-of-entrenchment-for-sins-of-a-solar-empire-shoots-lase/#commentsWe already told you about developer Stardock's upcoming expansion "Entrenchment" when it was announced last August. We told you about the delay that hit the expansion and pushed back its release window and then when it finally got dated (we were so proud!), only to get pushed back to February 25th (what a downer!).

Well today, we've got no bad news for you. The brand new trailer you see above and the less than brand new screenshots you see below in the gallery are all we've got for you on the Impulse digital download service-exclusive expansion coming in a few weeks. We apologize for the squished format of the video but we get what we get and we don't get upset.

JoystiqTrailer of 'Entrenchment' for Sins of a Solar Empire shoots lasers, flies around originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributiondlcentrenchmentexpansionimpulseironcladironclad-gamespcsins-of-a-solar-empirestardocktrailerSat, 21 Feb 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sins of a Solar Empire's Entrenchment DLC delayed until Feb. 25]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/10/sins-of-a-solar-empires-entrenchment-dlc-delayed-until-feb-25/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/10/sins-of-a-solar-empires-entrenchment-dlc-delayed-until-feb-25/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/10/sins-of-a-solar-empires-entrenchment-dlc-delayed-until-feb-25/#comments
We're "Vasari" to report that Sins of a Solar Empire's first "micro-expansion," Entrenchment, has fallen out of warp and suffered a delay until Feb. 25. Only available through Stardock's Impulse digital distribution service, the $10 add-on was recently given a Feb. 11 release date.

Stardock's Brad Wardell stated the extra time will be used to incorporate more feedback from the open beta. The expansion was originally expected to release sometime late last year. Hopefully production of the next micro-expansion, featuring diplomacy upgrades, will go a lot smoother than Entrenchment's development.

Gallery: Sins Of A Solar Empire: Entrenchment

JoystiqSins of a Solar Empire's Entrenchment DLC delayed until Feb. 25 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ironcladironclad-gamessinssins-of-a-solar-empirestardockTue, 10 Feb 2009 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment digs in Feb. 11]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/28/sins-of-a-solar-empire-entrenchment-digs-in-feb-11/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/28/sins-of-a-solar-empire-entrenchment-digs-in-feb-11/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/28/sins-of-a-solar-empire-entrenchment-digs-in-feb-11/#commentsFiled under:


Sins of a Solar Empire's first "micro-expansion," Entrenchment, received an official release date today of February 11. The $10 add-on, which will add several powerful defensive structures to the grand 4X RTS, will only be available through Stardock's Impulse digital delivery service.

Entrenchment is the first of three mini expansions expected to enhance tactics this year. The next addition will add diplomacy features and the last is still under wraps. With this much tactical choice, we fear having to put a week aside to actually finish a basic mid-sized match.

[Via Big Download]

Gallery: Sins Of A Solar Empire: Entrenchment

JoystiqSins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment digs in Feb. 11 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ironcladPCsinssins-of-a-solar-empiresins-of-a-solar-empire-entrenchmentstardockstrategyWed, 28 Jan 2009 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Best of Big Download: December 15-21]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/21/the-best-of-big-download-december-15-21/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/21/the-best-of-big-download-december-15-21/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/21/the-best-of-big-download-december-15-21/#commentsFiled under: , ,


This week is the last one in 2008 that will likely have a lot of major gaming news but Big Download still has lots of plans to cover the past year and looking ahead to 2009 in the next several days. In the meantime let's look at the highlights from the past week:

Exclusive features

Continue reading The Best of Big Download: December 15-21

JoystiqThe Best of Big Download: December 15-21 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big-downloadcities-xlgalactic-civilizations-iigoggog.comMacPCprince-of-persiared-alert-3sins-of-a-solar-empireSun, 21 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sins of a Solar Empire v1.1 available; features AI, graphic, trade upgrades]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/19/sins-of-a-solar-empire-v1-1-available-features-ai-graphic-tra/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/19/sins-of-a-solar-empire-v1-1-available-features-ai-graphic-tra/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/19/sins-of-a-solar-empire-v1-1-available-features-ai-graphic-tra/#commentsFiled under: ,


Stardock and Ironclad have put a capital (ship) amount of work into the free Sins of a Solar Empire v1.1 patch. The crisp Advent laundry list of fixes and upgrades is incredibly long, but many players will be happy with the simple fact that the buy/sell and pirate window is now on the main screen.

Stardock also reiterated that those who pre-order the recently delayed $10 Entrenchment expansion will be included in the upcoming beta, which will have its details "announced soon." Now, in all seriousness, could Sins pretty please get a campaign mode to flesh out the lore?

JoystiqSins of a Solar Empire v1.1 available; features AI, graphic, trade upgrades originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ironcladpatchPCsinssins-of-a-solar-empirestardockWed, 19 Nov 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sins of a Solar Empire expansion delayed [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/rumor-sins-of-a-solar-empire-expansion-delayed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/rumor-sins-of-a-solar-empire-expansion-delayed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/rumor-sins-of-a-solar-empire-expansion-delayed/#commentsFiled under: ,


The quest for universal superiority may have hit a bump in the galactic highway as Voodoo Extreme reports that Entrenchment, the forthcoming expansion to Sins of a Solar Empire, has been pushed back from its expected release next week. Instead, VE3D reports that the game will available exclusively as a digital download for Impulse users in January.

While disappointed, we can't say that we're all that surprised. After all, the construction of race-specific subspace inhibitors and defense platforms is no easy task, especially while trying to get a leg up on the hectic Vasari holiday shopping season. While we wait, a subspace transmission has been dispatched to Stardock representatives for an official word.

Update: Stardock's Brian Clair, aka Yarlen, has confirmed the delay on the game's official forum, writing that Entrenchment "will first be put through a public beta test for pre-order customers" in order to "finely hone" the expansion before it is released. He also notes that a final release date has not been set, and that it will "largely depend on beta feedback."

JoystiqSins of a Solar Empire expansion delayed [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delayPCrumorsins-of-a-solar-empirestardockTue, 11 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sins of a Solar Empire sells 500,000 copies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/sins-of-a-solar-empire-sells-500-000-copies/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/sins-of-a-solar-empire-sells-500-000-copies/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/sins-of-a-solar-empire-sells-500-000-copies/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Stardock has revealed that its sleeper PC hit Sins of a Solar Empire has sold over half a million copies. The company's CEO Brad Wardell tells Gamasutra that 400,000 units were sold at retail, while 100,000 in sales came from digital downloads. Not bad for a full-bodied PC strategy game that cost less than a million dollars to make.

Wardell is certainly becoming an interesting character in the narrative of this industry, with relatively small publisher Stardock really stepping up. He explains part of Sins' success is that it was designed to run on a "four-year-old video card" and still look good. He says there might be a "piddly super-mega effect" that gets missed, but the result is more sales for the game, a strategy which sounds similar to Blizzard's take on being a PC developer. Sins' first mini-expansion, Entrenchment, will be available for $10 later this year.

[Via Big Download]

JoystiqSins of a Solar Empire sells 500,000 copies originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>expansionsimpulseIroncladIronclad-StudiosPCRTSSinssins-of-a-solar-empirestardockStrategyFri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stardock reveals Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/stardock-reveals-sins-of-a-solar-empire-entrenchment/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/stardock-reveals-sins-of-a-solar-empire-entrenchment/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/stardock-reveals-sins-of-a-solar-empire-entrenchment/#commentsFiled under: ,


Did you ever finish a six-hour long match of Sins of a Solar Empire and think, "What I really want is more"? If so, you have some serious, clinical mental problems. But, you've also got some good news coming your way: Today Stardock announced the first expansion to the game: Entrenchment.

We're not even going to try to decode what the $9.95 expansion (due late this year) adds to the game, so here it is straight from the space horse's mouth: "Entrenchment promises to bring fans a Starbase defense platform for each race (extremely powerful and armored bases housing a variety of weapons and other upgrades capable of defending an entire planet), turret upgrades for each race to make them more powerful mine fields and a Subspace Inhibitor platform that will slow enemy ships within its range."

...Umm, great?

JoystiqStardock reveals Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcexpansionsimpulsePCsins-of-a-solar-empirestardockFri, 29 Aug 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sins publisher Stardock keeps piracy 'in perspective']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/sins-publisher-stardock-keeps-piracy-in-perspective/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/sins-publisher-stardock-keeps-piracy-in-perspective/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/sins-publisher-stardock-keeps-piracy-in-perspective/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Piracy. It's an dark cloud that prompts many companies to employ draconian measures like DRM or electric shocks (coming soon to a game near you!). One notable exception is Michigan-headquartered Stardock, which refuses to include copy protection in its games, a policy that interestingly hasn't kept its most recent release, Sins of a Solar Empire, from putting up respectable numbers both online and at retail.

As Stardock CEO Brad Wardell explains it, piracy is an issue that "has to be kept in perspective," and in a recent Big Download interview he further played the common sense card, stating that "the people who actually buy games don't want to be inconvenienced or treated like a criminal." Wardell adds that while Sins "definitely" would have sold more had piracy not been an issue, "everyone who buys games knows they could easily have gone out and stolen it if they wanted to." It's a perspective often trumpeted by the gamer community, but it's even more refreshing to have it come from within the industry itself, and gives us one more reason to keep Sins of a Solar Empire sitting on our desktops.

JoystiqSins publisher Stardock keeps piracy 'in perspective' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iron-cladironcladPCpiracysins-of-a-solar-empiresinsofasolarempirestardockTue, 24 Jun 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sins of a Solar Empire releases today in UK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/13/sins-of-a-solar-empire-releases-today-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/13/sins-of-a-solar-empire-releases-today-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/13/sins-of-a-solar-empire-releases-today-in-uk/#commentsFiled under: ,


Although we're sure plenty of Europeans have already pirated Sins of a Solar Empire -- and really, we can't blame you -- the game officially launches in the UK today. The surprise PC hit will cost £30 in the UK and, although the press release speaks about the "European retail box," we can't seem to currently find a release date or price for the rest of the continent.

Sins of a Solar Empire has no disc copy-protection, but supports those who purchased a copy with patches, which have greatly improved the game since launch. UK gamers who got the game through nefarious means, please feel free to support this excellent strategy game with a retail purchase. You want a Sins of a Solar Empire 2, don't you?

[Via Big Download]

Gallery: Sins of a Solar Empire

JoystiqSins of a Solar Empire releases today in UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ironcladkalypso-mediaPCsins-of-a-solar-empiresinsofasolarempirestardockFri, 13 Jun 2008 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ Joystiq interview: Demigod, Sins, and the death of PC gaming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/joystiq-interview-demigod-sins-and-the-death-of-pc-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/joystiq-interview-demigod-sins-and-the-death-of-pc-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/joystiq-interview-demigod-sins-and-the-death-of-pc-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


With publisher Stardock's rise the last couple of years and the announcement that it'll be publishing Gas Powered Games' next title, Demigod, it was time catch up with the two companies. We spoke with Stardock's CEO Brad Wardell and Gas Powered Games' founder Chris Taylor and asked some niggling questions on our minds ... and fired a few total shots in the dark which yielded results (like Demigod on consoles?). Find out more about Stardock and why Gas Powered Games decided to hook up with the little-publisher-that-could for its next title in our interview.

OK, let's get right into it, what's Demigod?

Chris Taylor - Demigod is a frantic team-based action game with RPG and RTS elements mixed in. If that doesn't sound familiar, it's because we're sort of inventing a new style of hybrid gameplay. The player selects a Demigod, and fights for a place in the pantheon of Gods in these incredible arenas. Each battle puts the player in command of either an Assassin Demigod, or General Demigod. These two types gives the player a choice of whether they command just the single Demigod, an Assassin, or whether they take command over every single unit in the game, like a traditional RTS, a General.

Gallery: Demigod (PC)

Continue reading Joystiq interview: Demigod, Sins, and the death of PC gaming

Joystiq Joystiq interview: Demigod, Sins, and the death of PC gaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brad-wardellchris-taylordemigodgas-powered-gamesPCPS3sins-of-a-solar-empiresinsofasolarempirestardockwardellXbox-360Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Sins of a Solar Empire finally gets demo treatment]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/sins-of-a-solar-empire-finally-gets-demo-treatment/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/sins-of-a-solar-empire-finally-gets-demo-treatment/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/sins-of-a-solar-empire-finally-gets-demo-treatment/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sins of a Solar Empire might just be the best game you've never played. Then again, maybe you have, considering how well the PC game has been selling since its early February debut. Still, if there's one thing that's been missing from the experience, its how to court those players still on the fence, with a demo for the 4X strategy hybrid being noticeably absent. Until now that is, as Iron Clad and publisher Stardock have finally pushed out a demo, which is currently available for download from Gamespot.

The news is great, really, but the question as to why the demo took so long to produce had to be asked. So we did. We broached to topic with Stardock president and CEO Brad Wardell, who told us that "when Sins of a Solar Empire was released, Stardock and developer Iron Clad felt that our first priority had to be to existing customers...once we released v1.03, we were able to spend the necessary time to put together a quality demo." Quality is a word people throw around too easily, so those of you who pick up the demo, drop us a line below and let us know if Wardell's comments are justified.

JoystiqSins of a Solar Empire finally gets demo treatment originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4xiron-cladironcladIronclad-StudiosPCRTSSinssins-of-a-solar-empiresinsofasolarempirestardockStrategyFri, 21 Mar 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ironclad's Sins sells more than 100,000 in less than a month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/29/ironclads-sins-sells-more-than-100-000-in-less-than-a-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/29/ironclads-sins-sells-more-than-100-000-in-less-than-a-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/29/ironclads-sins-sells-more-than-100-000-in-less-than-a-month/#commentsFiled under: , ,

4X strategy games are usually doing good just to get noticed. The titles are by their very nature an acquired taste usually appreciated only by a select few, reason enough why we imagine that the devs at Ironclad Games are breaking out the good glasses this evening, patting themselves on the back for a job well done while finally uncorking that bottle of 1995 Chateau Margaux that's been gathering dust in the cellar.

The reason for the celebration? It turns out that the studio's debut 4X game, Sins of a Solar Empire, has sold more than 100,000 units since its release on February 4, making it the top selling PC game in North America for the week based on sales data compiled by Gamasutra. It's anyone's guess how long PC gamers' love affair with Ironclad's space epic will last, but for now at least it appears that in the kingdom of the keyboard and mouse number crunching and micromanagement are king.

[Via press release]

JoystiqIronclad's Sins sells more than 100,000 in less than a month originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iron-cladironcladIronclad-StudiosPCRTSSinssins-of-a-solar-empiresinsofasolarempirestardockStrategyFri, 29 Feb 2008 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CES 2008: New titles join Games for Windows portfolio]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/new-titles-join-games-for-windows-portfolio/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/new-titles-join-games-for-windows-portfolio/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/new-titles-join-games-for-windows-portfolio/#commentsFiled under: ,


In another CES 2008 announcement, Microsoft has highlighted nine new additions to its Games for Windows endeavor, promising to "continue the momentum for Windows-based gaming in 2008" and "revive" the PC gaming space. The titles due to be dressed in Microsoft's colors include:
  • Alone in the Dark (Atari)
  • Bionic Commando (Capcom)
  • Conflict: Denied Ops (Eidos Interactive)
  • Empire: Total War (SEGA)
  • LEGO Indiana Jones (LucasArts)
  • Microsoft Train Simulator 2 (Microsoft Game Studios)
  • Sins of a Solar Empire (Stardock)
  • Space Siege (SEGA)
  • Tomb Raider: Underworld (Eidos Interactive)
The list not only cements the "Underworld" subtitle to Eidos' next Tomb Raider, but provides reassurance as to the longevity of Microsoft's initiative. Games for Windows is sure to be around for quite some time if Alone in the Dark manages to arrive under its banner. Microsoft's polite press release is also keen to remind us that other expected 2008 titles -- Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, Borderlands, The Club, Fallout 3 and Frontlines: Fuel of War -- will stand beneath the flapping emblem.

JoystiqCES 2008: New titles join Games for Windows portfolio originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alone-in-The-DarkAloneintheDarkBionic-CommandoCESCES-2008Conflict-Denied-OpsEmpireEmpire-Total-WarGames-For-WindowsGamesForWindowsGFWLego-Indiana-JonesMicrosoftMSFTPCSins-of-a-Solar-EmpireSpace-SiegeTomb-Raider-UnderworldTombRaiderTrain-Simulator-2Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:45:00 EST