Rock Paper Shotgun Stellaris Feed

enThu, 15 Aug 2024 17:02:59 +0000Stellaris turns Twister with new Cosmic Storms you can bend to your willhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-turns-twister-with-new-cosmic-storms-you-can-bend-to-your-willEdwin Evans-ThirlwellThu, 15 Aug 2024 17:02:59 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-turns-twister-with-new-cosmic-storms-you-can-bend-to-your-willParadox Development StudioMultiplayer CompetitiveSimulationSingle PlayerParadox InteractiveStrategy: Real-Time StrategyXbox OnePCMacStellarisBird view / IsometricStrategyPS4

Space 4X strategy game Stellaris launched in 2016, but Paradox can't stop adding to the universe. Last time I checked in, it was school trips to other dimensions. Now, it's Cosmic Storms. Due for release alongside the Stellaris 3.13 Vela update on September 10th, these are a paid "mechanical expansion" (priced at a rather chunky £11, $13 or €13, and available as part of the current season pass) that builds upon the game's existing Space Storms, "providing a deeper experience with strategically meaningful gameplay and beautiful upgraded visuals". Wash that down with new civics, precursor narratives, anomalies, archaeology sites, techs, edicts, a new Ascension perk, and new galactic community resolutions.

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Jacking in to Stellaris as a fanatical cyberpunk corporate cult in The Machine Agehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/jacking-in-to-stellaris-as-a-fanatical-cyberpunk-corporate-cult-in-the-machine-ageNic ReubenTue, 04 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/jacking-in-to-stellaris-as-a-fanatical-cyberpunk-corporate-cult-in-the-machine-ageParadox Development StudioStellaris: The Machine AgeMultiplayer CompetitiveSimulationSingle PlayerParadox InteractiveStrategy: Real-Time StrategyXbox OnePCMacStellarisBird view / IsometricStrategyPS4

From the moment I understood the weakness of my flesh, I thought: no bother, like. Everyone has different skills. Then, I realised that some other people might be less enlightened than me about the whole ‘having limits’ things, and that there was a lot of money to be made hawking implants. Enter space strategy story-spewer Stellaris, specifically, it’s spost specent spee-LC The Machine Age. It adds many options for your space civs, most of which I’m too rusty with the ever-yawpening sandbox’s myriad nuances to appreciate. But what's this? A new origin that lets you play as techno-religious corpo-cult obsessed with transcending the limits of their meat prisons through cybernetic augmentations? I recognise that from toys! Let’s do some clicking.

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Stellaris director insists “ethical use of AI is very important to us” after generating voices in latest DLChttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-director-insists-ethical-use-of-ai-is-very-important-to-us-after-generating-voices-in-latest-dlcMatt JarvisFri, 10 May 2024 16:22:28 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-director-insists-ethical-use-of-ai-is-very-important-to-us-after-generating-voices-in-latest-dlcParadox Development StudioMultiplayer CompetitiveSimulationSingle PlayerParadox InteractiveStrategy: Real-Time StrategyXbox OnePCMacStellarisBird view / IsometricStrategyPS4

The director of Paradox’s grand sci-fi strategy game Stellaris has insisted that the studio’s use of any AI-generated assets will be “ethical”, after revealing that latest expansion The Machine Age features AI voices for characters and used AI-generated art and text during its development.

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Stellaris launches expansion subscription offering access to all DLC for £8.50 per monthhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-launches-expansion-subscription-offering-access-to-all-dlc-for-850-per-monthAlice O'ConnorWed, 28 Feb 2024 14:22:17 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-launches-expansion-subscription-offering-access-to-all-dlc-for-850-per-monthParadox Development StudioMultiplayer CompetitiveSimulationSingle PlayerParadox InteractiveStrategy: Real-Time StrategyXbox OnePCMacStellarisBird view / IsometricStrategyPS4

If you were to buy every Stellaris expansion and content pack separately at full price, it would run you £227.62. To make that perhaps a little less daunting, Paradox have launched an optional monthly subscription service that gives you access to all the expansions. They've done this for several of their other grand strategy games before. It starts at £8.50 for one month then offers discounts for longer terms. While I can see niche uses for the option, I certainly wouldn't want to pay for this regularly. Would you?

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Stellaris Nexus - aka "Stellaris in an hour" - delays its early access release for a week-long open betahttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-nexus-aka-stellaris-in-an-hour-delays-its-early-access-release-for-a-week-long-open-betaMatt JarvisMon, 04 Dec 2023 18:46:23 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-nexus-aka-stellaris-in-an-hour-delays-its-early-access-release-for-a-week-long-open-betaNexus 5XParadox Development StudioMultiplayer CompetitiveRPGIndieSimulationParadox InteractiveSingle PlayerStrategy: Real-Time StrategyXbox OneScience FictionPCMultiplayer CooperativeMacStellarisBird view / IsometricStrategyPS4

Stellaris Nexus hinges off one of the downsides of the Paradox space game’s epic scale - the amount of time it takes to finish a match - to present a bite-sized side dish of 4X nibbles if you only have an hour to play instead of, say, a day. Now that plate of nibbles is offering up, er, a basically identical plate of bite-sized nibbles that you don’t have to pay for right away, as the game has seen its early access release date - planned for tomorrow, no less - replaced by a last-minute week-long open beta.

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Stellaris spin-off aims for a full multiplayer 4X experience in under an hourhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-spin-off-aims-for-a-muliplayer-4x-experience-in-under-an-hourAlice O'ConnorFri, 09 Jun 2023 00:23:41 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-spin-off-aims-for-a-muliplayer-4x-experience-in-under-an-hourNexus 5XParadox Development StudioWhatboy GamesMultiplayer CompetitiveSimulationSingle PlayerParadox InteractiveStellarisStrategy: Real-Time StrategySummer Game FestXbox OneScience FictionPCMacE3 2023Bird view / IsometricStrategyPS4

A game of Paradox's sci-fi strategy Stellaris can take so long that, in all honesty, I've never finished it. I always lose interest at some point and start a new civilisation because I mostly want to try out new weird ideas for a new weird empire, not actually rule that empire and fight its endgame wars. That makes me mighty interested in Stellaris Nexus, an upcoming turn-based spin-off which aims to offer a full multiplayer 4X experience in under an hour.

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Stellaris: Galactic Paragons expansion will give council leaders tons more personality on May 9thhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-galactic-paragons-expansion-will-give-council-leaders-tons-more-personality-on-may-9thKaan SerinTue, 25 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-galactic-paragons-expansion-will-give-council-leaders-tons-more-personality-on-may-9thParadox Development StudioMultiplayer CompetitiveSimulationSingle PlayerParadox InteractiveStrategy: Real-Time StrategyXbox OnePCMacStellarisBird view / IsometricStrategyPS4

Paradox have announced the next expansion for their grand spacefaring strategy game Stellaris. It's called Galactic Paragons, and it's coming on May 9th. Larger space regimes require more work, so this expansion is for fans of big government, focusing on Stellaris' collection of leaders, expanding the council system, and introducing deeper character progression. It’s also adding a new Origin delving into the leader who founded your galactic empire, which you can see teased in the very short, very non-descript trailer below.

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The sets aren't ready, and the actors have no eyes: making game trailershttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-sets-arent-ready-and-the-actors-have-no-eyes-making-game-trailersNic ReubenFri, 24 Mar 2023 17:00:00 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-sets-arent-ready-and-the-actors-have-no-eyes-making-game-trailersTotal War: Warhammer IIIParadox Development StudioBlockbustertrailersTotal War: Warhammer III - Immortal EmpiresParadox InteractiveHistoricalCreative AssemblyStellarisInterviewStrategy

“Imagine someone saying ‘We need you to make a trailer for our movie, but we've only got half of the sets and props ready…” says Tim Bevan de Lange, Creative Director at Realtime Nordic, a studio that makes, specifically, video game trailers. “...and we haven’t actually shot anything, so you’ll need to do that yourself. Some of the actors won't come out of their trailers. One of them will but if you shoot him from the front you realise he's got no eyes, but don't show the audience that. It's not intentional, he's getting them fixed. Also can you film it twice, for different streaming platforms? Make a really good version for Netflix and a slightly worse looking one for Quibi.”

Every so often a game trailer comes along that makes me think, hang on, that was bloody brilliant! I bet some people made that! Most recently it was Creative Assembly’s Immortal Empires trailer. Well, I’ve been digging around and I’m happy to report that yes, although I’m the first one to just see a trailer as an algorithm trying to snatch my coin purse away like a manure-encrusted Victorian ne’er-do-well, game trailers are made by humans. They're often humans who do it as as specific job, either in-house at a developer or as an outside agency like Realtime Nordic. Enlightened and enthralled, I asked some of them about what went into the strange space that is making the trailers for your favourite games.

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These are your 50 favourite strategy games of all timehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/these-are-your-50-favourite-strategy-games-of-all-timeKatharine CastleThu, 23 Feb 2023 19:00:22 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/these-are-your-50-favourite-strategy-games-of-all-timeTotal War: Shogun 2Total War: Warhammer IIIXCOM 2Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosMedieval II: Total WarBeyond All ReasonJagged Alliance 2Warcraft II: Tides of DarknessAge of Empires II: The Age of KingsIndieSid Meier's Civilization IVFTL: Faster Than LightAge of Empires IIICompany of HeroesStellarisTotal War: Warhammer IIStrategyEuropa Universalis IVAge of MythologyStarCraftCommand & Conquer: Red AlertInto the BreachStarCraft II: Wings Of LibertyHomeworldSupreme-CommanderSid Meier's CivilizationSins of a Solar EmpireEndless Space 2StarCraft: Brood WarTotal AnnihilationCommand & ConquerAge of Empires IVDune II: The Battle for ArrakisCommand & Conquer: Red Alert 2Crusader Kings IIIHearts of Iron IVHeroes Of Might & Magic IIIsupreme commander 2XCOM: Enemy UnknownWarhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IIZero-KThe Settlers II: 10th AnniversarySid Meier's Civilization VCrusader Kings IIWarhammer 40,000: Dawn of WarAge of EmpiresBattleTechInvisible Inc.Supreme Commander: Forged AllianceBestest Bests: Reader EditionSid Meier's Alpha CentauriSid Meier's Civilization 6Sid Meier's Civilization II

Earlier this month, we asked you to vote for your favourite strategy games of all time to celebrate the launch (and glorious return) of several strategy classics this month, including Relic's WW2 RTS Company Of Heroes 3, Blue Byte's The Settlers: New Allies and Cyanide's fantasy Warhamball Blood Bowl 3. And cor, I've never seen such love for individual expansions and total conversion mods among mainline RTS games and 4Xs. As with all strategy games, however, there can only be one victor - and you can find out what that single strategy game to rule them all is right here. Here are your 50 favourite strategy games of all time, as voted for by you, the RPS readership.

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Stellaris: First Contact DLC is exploring pre-FTL civilisations when it launches March 14thhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-first-contact-dlc-is-exploring-pre-ftl-civilisations-when-it-launches-march-14thKaan SerinWed, 22 Feb 2023 12:17:22 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-first-contact-dlc-is-exploring-pre-ftl-civilisations-when-it-launches-march-14thParadox Development StudioManagementParadox InteractiveScience FictionStellarisStrategy

Paradox’s grand spacefaring strategy Stellaris is getting its fifth story pack First Contact on March 14th, following on from the previously released Leviathans, Synthetic Dawn, Distant Stars, and Ancient Relics. Story packs are mid-sized expansions that flesh out Stellaris’s universe and this time First Contact is focusing on pre-FTL civilisations, taking a step back from the stars. The expansion was officially revealed back in January after a series of SteamDB leaks outed the project.

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Have You Played... Stellaris?https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/have-you-played-stellarisOllie TomsThu, 02 Feb 2023 18:00:00 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/have-you-played-stellarisStrategy: Grand Strategy/4XParadox Development StudioHave You PlayedParadox InteractiveScience FictionStellaris

I've never actually finished a game of Stellaris. I doubt I'm the only ardent fan of the game that hasn't done so. The best thing about it, as is so often the case with 4X and grand strategy games, is the very beginning. That opening half-hour of limitless potential and giddy curiosity is utterly spellbinding. I don't know if any strategy game does it better.

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Stellaris is getting a First Contact story pack, Paradox confirm after leakshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-is-getting-a-first-contact-story-pack-paradox-confirm-after-leaksCJ WheelerTue, 17 Jan 2023 15:49:56 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-is-getting-a-first-contact-story-pack-paradox-confirm-after-leaksParadox Development StudioSimulationParadox InteractiveScience FictionStellarisStrategy

Sci-fi grand strategy Stellaris will take a step back from the stars and concentrate on pre-FTL civilisations with its upcoming First Contact story pack DLC. Paradox announced the DLC today after details, screenshots and a trailer leaked ahead of the reveal through SteamDB. YouTuber Aspec also uploaded a video detailing the leak and revealing the DLC’s trailer, which has since been made private. You can watch the official trailer below.

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Stellaris’ 3.6 Orion update warps in new galaxy shapes and a combat rebalancehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-36-orion-update-warps-in-new-galaxy-shapes-and-a-combat-rebalanceCJ WheelerWed, 30 Nov 2022 15:37:51 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-36-orion-update-warps-in-new-galaxy-shapes-and-a-combat-rebalanceParadox Development StudioSimulationParadox InteractiveScience FictionStellarisStrategy

Being interested in both sci-fi and strategy games, I’ve always wanted to reshape the galaxy. The free 3.6 Orion update for Paradox’s spacey grand strategy Stellaris is live now, and it's done that, but in a way I hadn’t quite imagined. Among the changes with this update are six new galaxy shapes to mix up the pattern of your interstellar empires a bit. Orion also rebalances fleet combat, bringing in elements of the open beta that began back in October. Paradox have chucked in a few reworks of bits and pieces from Stellaris’ numerous expansions too, including changes to the Utopia DLC’s Ascension path. You can see more about that by watching the video below.

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Stellaris is running a combat rebalancing open beta this month ahead of its 3.6 Orion updatehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-is-running-a-combat-rebalancing-open-beta-this-month-ahead-of-its-36-orion-updateCJ WheelerThu, 13 Oct 2022 14:38:59 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-is-running-a-combat-rebalancing-open-beta-this-month-ahead-of-its-36-orion-updateParadox Development StudioSimulationParadox InteractiveScience FictionStellarisStrategy

Galactic strategiser Stellaris is inviting players to muck about with adjustments to the game’s combat this month in an open beta, starting today. The beta is running from now until the end of October to trial planned changes and rummage up some feedback for Stellaris’ next update, 3.6 Orion. Don’t worry if you just fancy playing regular Stellaris; this is an opt-in thing. You can find out more by watching the video below.

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Stellaris' free 3.5 Fornax update adds a new beginner-friendly difficulty setting todayhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-free-35-fornax-update-adds-a-new-beginner-friendly-difficulty-setting-todayCJ WheelerTue, 20 Sep 2022 12:23:55 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-free-35-fornax-update-adds-a-new-beginner-friendly-difficulty-setting-todayParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveScience FictionStellarisStrategy

Sci-fi strategy epic Stellaris sees the launch of its paid Toxoid species pack today, but there’s a substantial free update coming in the form of the 3.5 Fornax patch too. Paradox have added a new difficulty setting aimed at easing in new players aboard Stellaris’ long-running interstellar skiff, along with some new adjustments they’re hoping will challenge more experienced players. The update also rebalances relics, improves UI and AI, and brings back Culture Workers.

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How Stellaris has taken on new life over its six-year strategy journeyhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-stellaris-has-taken-on-new-life-over-its-six-year-strategy-journeyCJ WheelerFri, 19 Aug 2022 15:15:00 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-stellaris-has-taken-on-new-life-over-its-six-year-strategy-journeyStory RichParadox Development StudioSimulationParadox InteractiveScience FictionStellarisInterviewStrategy

Galactic alliances aren’t built in a day, a month or even a year, to warp a comfortingly familiar phrase from 90s telly. Interplanetary 4X Stellaris has been evolving for more than six years now, having first released on May 9th 2016. Unusually, I remember exactly when I bought the game, because it was in the days just before my partner and I welcomed our first child. Being a ginormous sci-fi nerd, I enthusiastically downloaded it thinking I’d have all the space-time in the universe to invest in building my own interstellar superpower.

I did dip my toes in back then, and have many, many times since, but rather naively didn’t foresee the inevitable. The structure of my life altered dramatically with the arrival of our baby. It didn’t stop there either, and still hasn’t, taking on some unfamiliar but just about recognisable form every few months. I suspect the developers of Stellaris had a similar feeling following the game’s release into the wider universe, like Kubrick’s giant cosmic infant at the end of 2001: A Space Odyssey. I know I’ve felt like my furniture’s been rearranged whenever I’ve started a new game of Stellaris with a different civilisation over the intervening years.

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Stellaris: Overlord is out now, adding vassals and new megastructureshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-overlord-is-out-now-adding-vassals-and-new-megastructuresGraham SmithThu, 12 May 2022 21:36:31 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-overlord-is-out-now-adding-vassals-and-new-megastructuresParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStrategyStellaris

Stellaris's Overlord expansion is out now, jamming the vast scifi grand strategy game even fuller with megastructures, story events and - as is Paradox's wont - more vassals. Overlord aims to offer more control over your empires, both to let you shape them in more specific ways and also to generate more anecdotes when it all goes wrong.

As always, the expansion also releasing alongside a new free patch with balance fixes and bux fixes for all.

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Stellaris: Overlord will bring new ways to specialise your empire on May 12thhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-overlord-will-bring-new-ways-to-specialise-your-empire-on-may-12thGraham SmithThu, 21 Apr 2022 19:58:03 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-overlord-will-bring-new-ways-to-specialise-your-empire-on-may-12thParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStrategyStellaris

Google's Ngram Viewer suggests references to "vassals" have been in steady decline for almost two hundreds years, yet Google Trends suggests a doubling or even tripling of interest over the past twenty. The culprit can be found among the "related topics" list at the bottom, which includes Crusader Kings 2 and Europa Universalis 4.

The relentless PR campaign in favour of feudal obligation continues in the next Stellaris expansion, Overlord, which will add new "vassalization mechanics" when it launches on May 12th.

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Stellaris: Overlord expansion aims to make being the boss more funhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-overlord-expansion-aims-to-make-being-the-boss-more-funGraham SmithThu, 17 Mar 2022 21:09:42 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-overlord-expansion-aims-to-make-being-the-boss-more-funStrategyParadox InteractiveStellaris

Scifi grand strategy Stellaris is getting a new expansion. Called Overlord, it'll expand the role of vassals, add new megastructures, and expand the diplomatic relationships between you and the empires you subjugate while moving to control the galaxy.

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Stellaris 3.1 is out and adds new content to old DLChttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-31-is-out-and-adds-new-content-to-old-dlc-alongside-many-balance-tweaksGraham SmithTue, 14 Sep 2021 22:01:42 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-31-is-out-and-adds-new-content-to-old-dlc-alongside-many-balance-tweaksParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStrategyStellaris

Scifi grand strategy Stellaris's free 3.1 update, titled "Lem", is out now. This is the first update created by "The Custodians", a new team formed within developers PDS Green focused on free, quarterly updates which tweak game balance, add new content to old DLC and fix bugs.

The "Lem" update does all three, changing how tradition trees work, adding new features to old species packs such as 2016's Planetoids, and rebalancing some Civics and Origins.

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Stellaris: Nemesis lets you now become a star-destroying galactic threathttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-nemesis-expansion-is-out-nowAlice O'ConnorThu, 15 Apr 2021 17:02:42 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-nemesis-expansion-is-out-nowParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStellarisDLCStellaris Nemesis

What's galactic drama without an evil empire to rally against or a mighty hero to save us all? A bit of a damp squib. The latest Stellaris expansion, Nemesis, today spices up the end-game by offering extra powers for domination or liberation. It's got big Star Trek baddie vibes, enough that it even adds new ship designs which look like Star Destroyers. And as ever, the expansion is accompanied by a patch adding and changing loads in the 4X strategy game.

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Stellaris: Nemesis expansion adds new ways to be a space tyrant on April 15thhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-nemesis-expansion-will-arrive-april-16thGraham SmithSat, 13 Mar 2021 20:54:36 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-nemesis-expansion-will-arrive-april-16thStellaris NemesisParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStellaris

Stellaris: Nemesis was announced in early February with a fancy CG trailer, and now there's a second fancy CG trailer and a release date. Nemesis, which adds various new ways to be a miserable space bastard to Paradox's scifi grand strategy game, will launch on April 15th.

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Get Stellaris for just $1 in Humble's latest bundlehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/get-stellaris-for-1-in-humbles-latest-bundleKatharine CastleThu, 11 Mar 2021 09:51:12 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/get-stellaris-for-1-in-humbles-latest-bundlePC Gaming DealsHumble BundleParadox InteractiveHumbleStellaris

Stellaris is one of the best strategy games around on PC, but Paradox's grand 4X space epic can be a daunting prospect if you're new to the genre. Happily, the latest Humble Bundle makes it incredibly easy to give it a go, as you can now pick up the base game for as little as 70p / $1. Indeed, the entire bundle is themed around the game, and those looking to truly immerse themselves in this galactic space opera can also get seven DLC packs for just £10 / $15. A true bargain if ever I saw one.

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Stellaris's next DLC adds starships which eat starshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellariss-next-dlc-wants-you-to-become-the-crisisGraham SmithThu, 04 Feb 2021 21:08:42 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellariss-next-dlc-wants-you-to-become-the-crisisStellaris NemesisParadox InteractiveStellaris

Stellaris, the scifi 4X stratey game, is getting a new major expansion. Stellaris Nemesis will add espionage tools that allow you to prevent endgame crises, and new "Menace" powers that let you "become the crisis". This involves new spaceships which are able to eat planets.

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Best Stellaris modshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/best-stellaris-mods-2Craig PearsonMon, 09 Nov 2020 17:00:37 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/best-stellaris-mods-2FeatureStory RichSimulationParadox InteractiveModsStellaris

You. Hey you. Come here. Closer. You look like someone interested in unorthodox game updates? What are you looking for? Stellaris? Right, right. Shhh. Keep walking. You don’t know me. See that guy up there, with the three arms and glowing eyes? Tell him you’re here for Stellaris mods. He’ll hook you up with some prime grand strategy space gear. We’re talking total conversions, quality of life updates... we’ve even got some aggressive new AI. Go on, you’ll like it...

And that’s how I was introduced to the Stellaris mod scene.

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The 50 best strategy games to play on PChttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-best-strategy-games-on-pcKatharine CastleFri, 06 Nov 2020 13:00:18 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-best-strategy-games-on-pcTotal War: Shogun 2NorthgardHumankindMultiplayer CompetitiveStardock CorporationThe Creative AssemblyPuzzleEndless LegendDesperados 3Warhammer 40000: MechanicusSegaBulwark StudiosKlei EntertainmentSix Ages: Ride Like The WindNintendo SwitchXbox Game StudiosAnno 1800Bestest BestsAge of Empires II: Definitive EditionCompany of HeroesPCTotal War: Warhammer IITHQ NordicDruidstone: The Secret of the Menhir ForestCard GamesFuncomVersus EvilSingle PlayerAspyrOffworld Trading CompanyUbisoftCreative AssemblyMultiplayer CooperativeSide viewSimulationXbox Series X/S2K GamesSid Meier's Alpha CentauriSid Meier's Civilization 6BeetlewingPlayStation VitaCommand & Conquer Remastered CollectionFrozen SynapseThe Banner SagaUbisoft EntertainmentBird view / IsometricSlipwaysTextFTL: Faster Than LightAndroidTantalus MediaUnity of CommandStellarisStrategyInto the BreachKitfox GamesUFO: Enemy UnknownStarCraft II: Wings Of Liberty2KRPGBlitWorksBlizzard EntertainmentAction AdventureFiraxis GamesPS1EAFocus EntertainmentShiro GamesMacGas Powered GamesInvisible Inc.Marvel's Midnight SunsHellbent GamesWarhammer 40000: Dawn of War - SoulstormIntroversion SoftwareMode 7 GamesDefconTindalos InteractiveXbox 360Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - DaemonhuntersEuropa Universalis IVNeptune's PrideIceberg InteractiveDistant Worlds: UniverseSupreme-CommanderFocus Home InteractiveStrategy: Real-Time StrategyPS51c-SoftClubCrusader Kings IIIFrontier FoundryGears TacticsKasedo GamesBattlefleet Gothic: Armada 2BattleTechMimimi GamesXCOM 2Splash DamageUbisoft Blue ByteXbox OneIron Lore EntertainmentTHQParadox Development StudioElectronic ArtsIndieHarebrained SchemesMohawk GamesStoicTotal War: Three KingdomsThird personStrategy: Turn-Based StrategyTHQ WirelessThey Are BillionsParadox Interactive1C CompanyiOSStardockDune II: The Battle for ArrakisNintendo DSAMPLITUDE StudiosHeroes Of Might & Magic IIIMutant Year Zero: Road To EdenRelic EntertainmentImperator: RomePS4

Strategy games is an enormous genre in PC gaming, with real-time, turn-based, 4X and tactics games all flying the same flag to stake their claim as the one true best strategy game. Our list of the best strategy games on PC covers the lot of them. We like to take a broad view here at RPS, and every game listed below is something we firmly believe that you could love and play today. You'll find 30-year-old classics nestled right up against recent favourites here, so whether you're to the genre or want to dig deep for some hidden gems, we've got you covered. Here are our 50 best strategy games for 2023.

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Stellaris's new Necroids are building a deathless stellar empirehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-new-necroids-are-building-a-deathless-stellar-empireNatalie ClaytonThu, 29 Oct 2020 17:02:12 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-new-necroids-are-building-a-deathless-stellar-empireStrategyParadox InteractiveStellaris

What's the point of forging an eternal space empire if you're not around to see it? Why let a pesky thing like mortality ruin your timeless dominion over the cosmos? Such things don't concern Stellaris's newest band of ramblin' shamblin' undead aliens, The Necroids, descending upon the galaxy in today's new Species Pack. 'Tis the season for an undead apocalypse, after all.

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Paradox set to sign collective agreement with unionshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/paradox-set-to-sign-collective-agreement-with-unionsImogen BeckhellingWed, 03 Jun 2020 16:21:33 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/paradox-set-to-sign-collective-agreement-with-unionsCrusader Kings IIIParadox Development StudioHearts of Iron IVunionsCrusader Kings IIParadox InteractiveStellarisStrategyEuropa Universalis IV

Paradox Interactive, the makers of Crusader Kings and Stellaris, have announced the "impending completion" of a collective bargaining agreement with the labour unions for its employees in Sweden. By the end of this month, Paradox employees should have a formal way of influencing their pay, benefits and responsibilities, and be generally better protected by the unions they're part of. If you're a little confused on what all this "collective agreement" business means though, bear with me while I have a go at explaining it.

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Stellaris celebrates four years with a new update, a trial week, and a salehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-celebrates-four-years-with-a-new-update-a-trial-week-and-a-saleAlice O'ConnorTue, 12 May 2020 09:59:07 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-celebrates-four-years-with-a-new-update-a-trial-week-and-a-saleParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStrategyStellaris

Four years ago, Paradox launched Stellaris, a sci-fi grand strategy game which had promise but needed a bit of work to find itself. Since then, Paradox have released so many updates overhauling and replacing bits and pieces that I'm entirely lost on how it works when I come back to it. They've certainly put in work. To celebrate the fourth birthday (which was actually on Saturday), Paradox today launched yet another patch, started a free trial week, and put the game on sale too.

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The RPS Verdict - Stellaris: Federationshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-rps-verdict-stellaris-federationsRPSTue, 24 Mar 2020 18:00:11 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-rps-verdict-stellaris-federationsFeatureThe RPS VerdictParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveScience FictionStellarisStrategy

Nate: The galaxy has been remade once again. Space opera strategy extravaganza Stellaris has a new DLC out, called Federations, and a massive free patch that overhauls a greater-than-usual number of the game's systems. Both the DLC and the patch focus hard on diplomacy, and so I thought it'd be a good idea to rope in a fellow space obsessive and see if, working together, we could befriend our way to dominion over the galaxy. (At this point, I'd like you to imagine regular contributor Nic Reuben smashing through the wall on a knackered space motorbike, before taking an open-necked chug on a can of space off-brand energy drink and throwing the can into a neutron star).

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Stellaris: Federations is out now, and adds a space UNhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-federations-is-out-now-and-adds-a-space-unAlice O'ConnorTue, 17 Mar 2020 13:24:24 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-federations-is-out-now-and-adds-a-space-unParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStrategyStellaris

It's a great week to make new spacefriends, thanks to the launch of the new Federations expansion for Stellaris. As the name suggests, Federations expands the options for galactic friendship in Paradox's sci-fi 4X strategy game. Now you can join a Galactic Union, Trade League, Research Cooperative, Martial Alliance, or Hegemony, different types of federation with different goals and perks. And get into new sorts of trouble.

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The 20 best space games on PChttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/best-space-games-on-pcKatharine CastleFri, 06 Mar 2020 11:36:08 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/best-space-games-on-pcMultiplayer CompetitivePuzzleCCP GamesMMORPGStar Traders: FrontiersBiowaresoftbankNintendo SwitchX3: Albion PreludeBestest BestsPCSingle PlayerROCKFISH GamesGearbox PublishingMultiplayer CooperativeIronclad GamesSimulationGearbox SoftwareFrontier Developments505 GamesPrivate DivisionBeetlewingHello GamesDescentElite DangerousBird view / IsometricVirtual RealityFTL: Faster Than LightAndroidStellarisStrategyBlockbusterRPGInterplayAction AdventureKerbal Space ProgramFocus EntertainmentRebel Galaxy OutlawHardspace: ShipbreakerMass Effect: Legendary EditionDeep SilverSquadEVE OnlineTindalos InteractiveFirst personG1M2Blackbird InteractiveDistant Worlds: UniverseHomeworldFocus Home InteractiveStrategy: Real-Time StrategyBattlefleet Gothic: Armada 2Mobius DigitalEverspace 2Xbox OneNo Man's SkyTHQFreespace 2ShooterParadox Development StudioElectronic ArtsOuter WildsIndieThird personStrategy: Turn-Based StrategyNintendo WiiParadox InteractiveiOSVolition Inc.StardockHomeworld Remastered CollectionNintendo Wii USpace CombatScience FictionSins of a Solar Empire: RebellionMacRelic EntertainmentEgosoftPS4

Video games are great at transporting us to different worlds, but none capture that feeling quite so perfectly as intergalactic space games - and 2023 looks set to be one of the biggest years for space games yet, with the launch of Starfield, Homeworld 3 and more all on the horizon. But what games have gone before them and staked their claim already on the dusty planet surface known as 'Best Space Games'? We reveal all below, with our carefully curated list of all the best space games you can play on PC right now. Whether you're a budding space cruiser captain, a wannabe space conqueror or an intrepid space-faring explorer, there's a space game for you.

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Stellaris: Federations expansion will unite the galaxy in Marchhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-federations-expansion-will-unite-the-galaxy-in-marchAlice O'ConnorFri, 28 Feb 2020 15:16:35 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-federations-expansion-will-unite-the-galaxy-in-marchParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStrategyStellaris

Paradox have announced a launch date of March 17th for the next Stellaris expansions, Federations. As the name suggests, it focuses on expanding options for spacefriends in the 4X strategy game, including new types of federation and a sort of galactic United Nations. It'll bring new origins for civilisations too, including some novel ones like starting on a fragment of a Ring World or on a doomed planet that will explore in 64 years. And as is the Paradox way, it'll be accompanied by a free update overhauling parts of the game for all players.

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The 11 worst years of our future, according to gameshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-11-worst-years-of-our-future-according-to-gamesBrendan CaldwellFri, 17 Jan 2020 09:00:42 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-11-worst-years-of-our-future-according-to-gamesShooterFeatureStory RichUniverse SandboxRPGShadowrun ReturnsSimulationHorrorRimWorldDeus ExBattleTechMass Effect 3One Off The ListSOMAStellarisAction AdventureStrategyNieR: Automata

Here we stand in the dark neo-year of 2020. The spam bots have risen to prominence, the governments of the world are bickering over follower counts, and history class has been renamed "meme studies". Somewhere, in a dusty room in the RPS treehouse, a rogue human is compiling a list article for a crumbling PC games website. It is a warning to all those who read it. A prophecy of the terrible things to come. Wars, invasions, disease, heat death. Videogames, it turns out, have predicted all this and more. Here we replicate this cautionary pre-chronicle, your guide to the harrowing times ahead. Here are the 11 worst years in our future history, according to games.

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Goodnight, sweet Steam Controllerhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/goodnight-sweet-steam-controllerCraig PearsonThu, 12 Dec 2019 09:00:43 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/goodnight-sweet-steam-controllerShooterFeatureBrawlhallaThe Witcher 3: Wild HuntSimulationStellarisOverwatchValve SoftwareThe Long DarkFallout 4Arma 3Steam

Right now, there’s a room in Buffalo Grove, Illinois that's as quiet as a grave. The power is off, the robotic limbs are becalmed, and the once thumping presses are depressed. The Steam Controller assembly room is assembling no more, and with the recent Steam sale clearing out all the stock, the grand experiment is over.

It’s the final part of Valve’s great Steam Machines undertaking to be shut down. They’d hoped to convince you to have a PC in the living room, or a small box for you to stream your library from your main PC. The Steam Machines never took off, the Steam Link box was discontinued a year ago, and now the Steam Controller will no longer be made. Gone, but not forgotten.

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Stellaris's newest species, the Lithoids, are here to eat rocks and take nameshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellariss-newest-species-the-lithoids-are-here-to-eat-rocks-and-take-namesJay CastelloSat, 26 Oct 2019 11:00:00 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellariss-newest-species-the-lithoids-are-here-to-eat-rocks-and-take-namesParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStrategyStellaris

Stellaris’s newest alieopals, the Lithoids, have arrived, crunching their way through space in extremely cool crystalline ships. The lore claims that this new rock-based species lives for ages and can hang out on even the harshest of planets, but their blingy transport suggests a different kind of je ne sais quoi if you ask me. You can see them in the trailer below.

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In the new Stellaris expansion, you can turn your home planet into a bombhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/in-the-new-stellaris-expansion-you-can-turn-your-home-planet-into-a-bombNate CrowleyThu, 24 Oct 2019 07:00:00 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/in-the-new-stellaris-expansion-you-can-turn-your-home-planet-into-a-bombFeatureParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStellarisStrategyPreviews

One of my favourite tropes in Science Fiction is aliens whose cultures are built around some hangover from the time before they made it to the stars. Take the Kelpiens from Star Trek: Discovery, whose existence is dominated by the inbuilt anxiety that comes from having once been prey species. Or Iain M Banks’s Idirans, the “top monster on a whole planetful of monsters'”, who lived in peaceful isolation until an alien invasion nearly wiped them out, after which they became fixated on brutal galactic expansion.

There are millions of weird things that can happen in space, and it’s fascinating to speculate about what sort of long shadows these formative events might leave on the development of a spacefaring culture. But why speculate, when you can play it out yourself? That’s the promise of Stellaris: Federations, the synth-heavy 4X’s upcoming expansion, which will include no less than eighteen origin stories for its customisable cast of mushroom-folk, misery insects and triocular platypuses. And yes, one of them involves your homeworld blowing up almost immediately.

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Stellaris: Federations expansion announced, and will bring new origins for your empireshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-federations-expansion-announced-and-will-bring-new-origins-for-your-empiresAlice O'ConnorSat, 19 Oct 2019 08:44:25 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-federations-expansion-announced-and-will-bring-new-origins-for-your-empiresPDXCONParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStellarisStrategy

The next Stellaris expansion will be Federations, Paradox announced today, focusing on making the game spacefriends groups more complex and interesting. Federations will come in several flavours, for starters, like a trade league or research cooperative. They'll also be able to level up to unlock new type-specific perks. Spacepolitics will expand with the option for a galactic senate too. Finally, after three years of focusing on the mystery and wonder side of sci-fi, Stellaris will capture the intrigue of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

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Paradox pull their Stellaris mobile game after nicking Halo artworkhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/paradox-pull-their-stellaris-mobile-game-after-nicking-halo-artworkNatalie ClaytonWed, 16 Oct 2019 14:56:03 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/paradox-pull-their-stellaris-mobile-game-after-nicking-halo-artworkStrategyiOSParadox InteractiveStellaris

Despite being a spreadsheet-filled management sim from the most PC developers out there, Stellaris longs to leave its desktop orbit. But while the space sim's transition to console has been relatively smooth, it's having a tougher time entering the mobile space. Stellaris: Galaxy Command, a mobile spin-off by an external studio, launched into beta on Tuesday but Paradox pulled it from sale only five hours later after players discovered stolen Halo artwork lurking in the game's menus.

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Steam Charts: Errant Cardiogram Editionhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-charts-errant-cardiogram-editionJohn WalkerMon, 10 Jun 2019 11:30:49 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-charts-errant-cardiogram-editionHell Let LooseFeatureOctopath TravelerGems Of WarTotal War: Three KingdomsNight LightsReventureBattalion 1944MordhauDivinity: Original Sin 2 Definitive EditionPUBG: BattlegroundsCooking SimulatorStellarisAction AdventureGrand Theft Auto VSteam

This week: Rude swears! Writing about more interesting games than the ones you boring people keep buying! And battle advice to people who've been dead 1,800 years! It's some Steam Charts.

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Stellaris: Ancient Relics DLC adds colour, drops 32-bit supporthttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-ancient-relics-releasedAlice O'ConnorWed, 05 Jun 2019 12:51:45 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-ancient-relics-releasedParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStellarisStrategyDLC

Part of any mission to seek out new life and new civilisations is to boldy go where someone snuffed it long before then rummage in their pockets and bones. Stellaris has expanded that aspect of 4X space adventures with Ancient Relics, a new 'Story Pack' add-on released yesterday. It whacks in new dead civilisations for us to discover and new ways to investigate them, with archaeological digs leading to powerful artifacts and strange relics. What could go wrong? This paid DLC is, as ever, accompanied by a free patch overhauling parts of the game, fixing bugs, and tweaking balance.

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Stellaris: Ancient Relics DLC belongs in a spacemuseumhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-ancient-relics-dlc-announcedAlice O'ConnorTue, 14 May 2019 16:25:11 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-ancient-relics-dlc-announcedParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStrategyStellaris

The far future will rummage in the distant past in the next Stellaris, named Ancient Relics, as spacemen develop a new fondness for archaeology and go wild digging up ancient cities and ships from long-dead civilisations. Sure, that sounds like it'll go fine. We'll uncover wee stories poking into two long-dead precursors--a plantoid hivemind and some superpsionics--as we conduct multi-stage digs and uncover old pots and bangles and supertech to fuel our growth. Yup, that's a nice flavour I'll be glad to see more of in Stellaris. It can't go much worse than some of the artefacts I've dug up before.

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Stellaris celebrates three years in space with a sale & trial weekendhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-free-to-try-and-cheap-to-buy-for-its-anniversaryDominic TarasonThu, 09 May 2019 21:05:44 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-free-to-try-and-cheap-to-buy-for-its-anniversaryStellaris: Distant StarsStory RichParadox Development StudioSimulationParadox InteractiveStellaris: ApocalypseFree gamesStellaris: Synthetic DawnStellarisStellaris: UtopiaStrategy

Stellaris, the sprawling and much-expanded 4X space strategy game by Paradox, is free to try out from now until Sunday, May 12th. If you like it, you can snap it up for cheap. The game has now been out for three years, and while it may have been considered a little bare-bones at launch, a trio of major expansions (and some smaller DLC) plus some huge free patches have turned it into a 4X favourite. As well as managing a sprawling space empire, it has a bit of personality to it, with major and minor story arcs cropping up in the vein of Crusader Kings. See the anniversary trailer below.

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Steam Charts - Blood From A Stone Editionhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-charts-mid-december-2018-2John WalkerMon, 17 Dec 2018 15:00:09 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-charts-mid-december-2018-2FeatureMonster Hunter: WorldBlockbusterTom Clancy's Ghost Recon: WildlandsKingdom Two CrownsInsurgency: SandstormTom Clancy's Rainbow Six SiegePUBG: BattlegroundsFarming Simulator 19StellarisGrand Theft Auto VSteamNo Man's Sky

Hey, remember the good old days? Those giddy times I like to think of as last week? When the Charts felt fresh and new, filled with potential, as if any interesting game could take a top spot? Well, forget all that because it's all gone to shit again.

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Steam Charts: Christmas Miracle Editionhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-charts-mid-december-2018John WalkerMon, 10 Dec 2018 14:00:44 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-charts-mid-december-2018FeatureMonster Hunter: WorldArtifactBlockbusterJust Cause 4NorthgardAssassin's Creed OdysseyPUBG: BattlegroundsFarming Simulator 19StellarisMutant Year Zero: Road To EdenX4: FoundationsSteam

I don't what is this? How many? Are we sure we're in the right charts? This is definitely the Steam Charts, where the mad-brained broken people just buy the same four games over and over and over? Because something is up. People have only bought the same three games over and over!

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Stellaris's MegaCorp expansion and Le Guin update are out nowhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-expands-with-megacorp-todayDominic TarasonThu, 06 Dec 2018 18:54:49 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-expands-with-megacorp-todayParadox Development StudioSimulationParadox InteractiveStellarisStrategy

Paradox's sprawling 4X space strategy game Stellaris expands again today. Between a new paid expansion - MegaCorp - and a free update code-named Le Guin, it's good times for those looking to boldly expand into new markets and buy out new civilisations. The MegaCorp expansion allows players to run a corporate empire, establishing branch offices on any world open to trade and growing fat and powerful off the success of others. The free update adds a lot, including crime, internal and galactic markets and a new empire cohesion system.  The devs break it all down in the video below.

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Stellaris turning space megacapitalist with Megacorp expansion in Decemberhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-megacorp-release-date-announcedAlice O'ConnorTue, 20 Nov 2018 17:02:52 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-megacorp-release-date-announcedParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStrategyStellaris

We've all dreamed of escaping to the one place that hasn't been corrupted by capitalism* but space is very much not that place in Stellaris, and will be even less so with after the launch of its 'Megacorp' expansion. Paradox today announced Megacorp will hit Stellaris on December 6th, and as ever it'll be accompanied by a free update with changes just as important as any feature the paid expansion adds. The update will overhaul the spacefaring 4X strategy game's weak economic side for all players, then Megacorp will focus on new toys to better exploit spacecapitalism.

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The 100 best-selling games on Steam in 2018 so farhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/biggest-games-on-steam-2018Alec MeerFri, 06 Jul 2018 14:42:07 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/biggest-games-on-steam-2018NorthgardSurviving MarsHouse FlipperPlanet CoasterFinal Fantasy XIIMiddle-earth: Shadow of WarPath of ExileTotal War: Warhammer IIBorderlands 2SteamFar Cry 5Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: WildlandsFinal Fantasy XVTeam Fortress 2SmiteHuman: Fall FlatWar ThunderWarhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - MartyrNieR: AutomataA Total War Saga: Thrones of BritanniaSimulationSid Meier's Civilization VRustDeep Rock GalacticThe Elder Scrolls OnlineSlay the SpireFootball Manager 2018Payday 2WarframeNi No Kuni II: Revenant KingdomFactorioGrand Theft Auto VElite DangerousPaladinsDota 2StellarisSales figuresCall of Duty: WWIIDying LightNioh: Complete EditionRocket LeagueAssassin's Creed OriginsRimWorldTom Clancy's Rainbow Six SiegeBlack Desert OnlineSubnauticaCities: SkylinesJust Cause 3Arma 3statsHunt: ShowdownRaftFinal Fantasy XIV: A Realm RebornTom Clancy's The DivisionSword Art Online: Fatal BulletSniper Elite 4Rise of the Tomb RaiderFrostpunkSquadDark Souls IIIThe Sims 3theHunter: Call of the WildEuropa Universalis IVGarry's ModJurassic World EvolutionThe ForestHearts of Iron IVDragon Ball FighterZEuro Truck Simulator 2Shadowverse CCGCrusader Kings IIBattleTechPUBG: BattlegroundsFallout 4Watch Dogs 2Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveXCOM 2Total War: WarhammerDark Souls: RemasteredDon't Starve TogetherCupheadFor HonorH1Z1Divinity: Original Sin 2NBA 2k18Kingdom Come: DeliveranceConan ExilesEcoDarkest DungeonArk: Survival EvolvedThey Are BillionsThe Elder Scrolls V: SkyrimDead by DaylightStardew ValleyThe Witcher 3: Wild HuntAge of Empires 2: Definitive EditionTerrariaThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VRWarhammer: Vermintide 2Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

We've just passed the half-way point of 2018, so Ian Gatekeeper and all his fabulously wealthy chums over at Valve have revealed which hundred games have sold best on Steam over the past six months. It's a list dominated by pre-2018 names, to be frank, a great many of which you'll be expected, but there are a few surprises in there.

2018 releases Jurassic World Evolution, Far Cry 5 Kingdom Come: Deliverance and Warhammer: Vermintide II are wearing some spectacular money-hats, for example, while the relatively lesser-known likes of Raft, Eco and Deep Rock Galactic have made themselves heard above the din of triple-A marketing budgets.

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Stellaris blasts off to Distant Stars in new DLChttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-distant-stars-dlc-releasedAlice O'ConnorTue, 22 May 2018 14:39:00 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-distant-stars-dlc-releasedStellaris: Distant StarsParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStellarisStrategyDLC

Travel beyond the limits of known space to a mysterious cut-off cluster in the new Stellaris DLC, the 'Distant Stars Story Pack', which could open up powerful shortcuts across space but miiight have been closed off for a good reason. But obviously you're going to stick your spaceoar in and see what's up. What are you, spacechicken? Distant Stars also includes new anomalies to investigate and new Leviathans to meet.

As is often the way with Paradox strategy game expansions, it's accompanied by a free update which reworks parts of the base game. Expect new binary and trinary star systems, anomaly studies no longer having a chance to fail, and other tweakies.

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Stellaris' next expansion tells tales of new horizonshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-next-expansion-tells-tales-of-new-horizonsDominic TarasonMon, 23 Apr 2018 19:21:09 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-next-expansion-tells-tales-of-new-horizonsStellaris: Distant StarsStory RichParadox Development StudioRPGSimulationParadox InteractiveStellarisStrategy

One of the best things about Paradox's increasingly feature-studded and DLC-expanded 4X strategy sandbox Stellaris is its focus on storytelling. In the vein of Crusader Kings 2, you'll find yourself frequently confronted with decisions to make as the ever-living Emperor Of Space, which can often spiral into lengthy story arcs with sometimes spectacular end results. The next expansion for the game, Distant Stars, will be adding a good chunk more interactive prose to flesh out exploring the far fringes of the galaxy, adding a multitude of story arcs short and long to the mix.

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Stellaris update 2.1 will rework anomalies and nudge space monsters out of your hyperlaneshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-update-2-1-will-rework-anomalies-and-nudge-space-monsters-out-of-your-hyperlanesMatt CoxMon, 23 Apr 2018 12:37:05 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-update-2-1-will-rework-anomalies-and-nudge-space-monsters-out-of-your-hyperlanesParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStrategyStellaris

I really want to get into Stellaris. I find myself buying every major expansion close to its release, convincing myself that late-game megastructures, role-playing as a robot or blowing up planets will be the hook that reels me in. Every time, I merrily launch into a fresh game - only to find my fun dissolving into work once I'm a few hours in.

"But that's the best bit!", you say. "Roaming the galaxy and discovering strange worlds with stranger stories is the most alluring step towards a fantastic sci-fi experience!". Paradox are making that step even easier to take with update 2.1 by removing failure risk from anomaly research, and rejigging hyperlanes so space-nasties don't get placed on chokepoints. I'm glad to see changes are still arriving that shake up the early game - perhaps they'll be enough for me to stick with a galaxy long enough to actually build a goddamn Dyson Sphere.

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All rise and no fall: how Civilization reinforces a dangerous mythhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/all-rise-and-no-fall-how-civilization-reinforces-a-dangerous-mythAlister MacQuarrieThu, 15 Mar 2018 21:00:28 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/all-rise-and-no-fall-how-civilization-reinforces-a-dangerous-mythFeatureCivilizationDefconSid Meier's Civilization VI: Rise And Fall2K GamesCrusader Kings IIFate of the WorldSid Meier's PiratesStellarisFiraxis GamesStrategySid Meier's Civilization 6

Civilization VI: Rise and Fall wants to solve a problem. That problem is perpetual growth, and it plagues many 4X games. Whether your aim is world conquest or cultural hegemony, victory in Civilization and many of its cohorts depends on domination. However peacefully you try to play, you're often straight-jacketed into a utilitarian-psychotic view where all resources and people are just raw material to be assimilated, Borg-like, until the whole map is monochrome.

But as the early excitement of exploration and expansion ebbs to late game stagnation, the fun runs out. Historically, stagnating empires tend to fragment and collapse. But in Civilization VI, like many games, you're the star of the show – and there's nowhere to go but up.

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Wot I Think: Stellaris - Apocalypsehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-apocalypse-reviewFraser BrownMon, 26 Feb 2018 13:00:08 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-apocalypse-reviewFeatureParadox Development StudioReviewsParadox InteractiveStellaris: ApocalypseStellarisStrategyWot I Think

I've made a lot of galaxies and star empires this last week, and I've thrown most of them in the bin. The Stellaris 2.0 update and the accompanying Apocalypse DLC have blown this 4X game to bits, along with my fleets as I've tried to wrap my head around the almost-new game built out of its chunks. Though I've racked up hundreds of hours of galactic conquest over the last couple of years, I've had to start fresh and figure out how to run a stellar empire all over again.

The xenophobic Imperium of Earth fell behind the rest of the galaxy and quickly found itself boxed in, the possessive but friendly Automata Matrix got squished in a war between Federations, and the slavers of the Saarlan Ravagers just weren't fun to play because they’re dicks. I should be a bit frustrated, but instead I'm hooked again. The DLC isn't essential, but the free update completely revitalises Stellaris, and it takes big risks to do it.

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Stellaris Apocalypse enslaves and/or destroys the world todayhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-apocalypse-expansion-releasedAlec MeerThu, 22 Feb 2018 14:02:02 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-apocalypse-expansion-releasedParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStellaris: ApocalypseStellarisStrategyDLC

Paradox strategy games tend to be restrained, but seems the publisher-developer has tired of being a wallflower and now fully intends to do big, noisy explosions with the best of 'em.

Apocalypse, out today, is a new expansion for their sci-fi 4X Stellaris, and is all about changing the physical rather than merely socio-political landscape of the galaxy. Which is to say, killing planets, enslaving their entire populations or otherwise removing whole worlds from the field of play.

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Stellaris's Apocalypse DLC will blow you away on Feb 22https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-apocalypse-expansion-release-dateAlice O'ConnorThu, 25 Jan 2018 15:42:51 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-apocalypse-expansion-release-dateParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStellaris: ApocalypseStellarisStrategyDLC

Though the galaxy of Stellaris is filled with traces of strange and terrible events, we don't really leave our own mark in extravagant ways. That will change a little with the launch of the sci-fi 4X strategy game's planet-destroying Apocalypse expansion, which Paradox today announced they will release on February 22nd. T-minus 28 days later until I demolish your planets to build a hyperspace bypass, or to mine it for resources, or simply because it was spoiling my view. Or maybe I'll trap you in a bubble to study you. Or robotise you. Options. Anyway. 28 days. Make your peace. Later taters.

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The Humble Paradox Bundle will net you Stellaris, Crusader Kings 2, Pillars of Eternity and morehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-humble-paradox-bundle-will-net-you-stellaris-crusader-kings-2-pillars-of-eternity-and-moreMatt CoxWed, 24 Jan 2018 14:14:49 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-humble-paradox-bundle-will-net-you-stellaris-crusader-kings-2-pillars-of-eternity-and-moreHumble BundleRPGCrusader Kings IIMagicka 2Pillars of EternityStellarisStrategy

What's your favourite paradox? My current one is 'how can the many awesome games in The Humble Paradox Bundle 2018 cost so little money?'. Wait, that's not a paradox - it's just a really good deal. Looks like I need to finish this news post then head back to paradox school.

Fortunately I won't need to enrol to enjoy the games on offer here. This bundle has 8 in total, with highlights including Obsidian's RPG Pillars of Eternity and the surprisingly funny wizard brawler Magicka 2. This is Paradox though, so best of all is the selection of sprawling strategy games. Let's dive in!

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Stellaris: Apocalypse will let you kill planetshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-apocalypse-expansionAdam SmithThu, 11 Jan 2018 15:49:29 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-apocalypse-expansionParadox Development StudioParadoxStellaris: ApocalypseStellarisStrategy

Too many worlds. That's the problem with space. You develop interstellar flight and hope to find a big emptiness that you can coast around in until all of the stars fade to black, but there's all this stuff scattered about. Planets and asteroid belts and big alien jellysquids.

Stellaris's upcoming expansion, Apocalypse, will let you clear out some of the clutter. It brings planet-destroying weapons into the game, along with new Titan capital ships, massive orbital installations and marauding space nomads, who can be recruited to your cause, but can also trigger a new late-game crisis. There's some non-violent stuff as well for the gentler souls among you.

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These are the top 100 Steam games of 2017https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/biggest-steam-games-2017Alec MeerTue, 02 Jan 2018 19:00:01 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/biggest-steam-games-2017Rising Storm 2: VietnamNorthgard7 Days To DieWarhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IIIPlanet CoasterChartsMiddle-earth: Shadow of WarPath of ExileTotal War: Warhammer IIBorderlands 2SteamTom Clancy's Ghost Recon: WildlandsTeam Fortress 2SmiteWar ThunderNieR: AutomataSid Meier's Civilization VRustKilling Floor 2The Elder Scrolls OnlineSenua's Saga: Hellblade IISid Meier's Civilization 6Football Manager 2018Payday 2WarframeThe Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel UnlimitedFactorioGrand Theft Auto VElite DangerousPaladinsDota 2Tekken 7AstroneerStellarisCall of Duty: Black Ops 2FeatureCall of Duty: WWIIDying LightRocket LeagueAssassin's Creed OriginsDishonored 2RimWorldTom Clancy's Rainbow Six SiegeBlack Desert OnlineSubnauticaCities: SkylinesJust Cause 3The Binding of Isaac: RebirthDragon Ball Xenoverse 2Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm RebornTom Clancy's The DivisionWolfenstein II: The New ColossusSniper Elite 4Rise of the Tomb RaiderOxygen Not IncludedDark Souls IIIThe Sims 3Tales of BerseriatheHunter: Call of the WildMiddle-earth: Shadow of MordorFriday the 13th: The GameEuropa Universalis IVFootball Manager 2017HitmanHollow KnightPreyEndless Space 2Garry's ModThe ForestHearts of Iron IVEuro Truck Simulator 2Shadowverse CCGSouth Park: The Fractured but WholeFarming Simulator 17Crusader Kings IIPUBG: BattlegroundsFallout 4Resident Evil 7: BiohazardWatch Dogs 2Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveXCOM 2Total War: WarhammerDon't Starve TogetherCupheadFor HonorNBA 2K17H1Z1Divinity: Original Sin 2NBA 2k18Conan ExilesDarkest DungeonDoomArk: Survival EvolvedThe Elder Scrolls V: SkyrimGrim DawnDead by DaylightStardew ValleyThe Witcher 3: Wild HuntAge of Empires 2: Definitive EditionTerrariaWallpaper EngineLeft 4 Dead 2Arma 3

Another year over, a new one just begun, which means, impossibly, even more games. But what about last year? Which were the games that most people were buying and, more importantly, playing? As is now something of a tradition, Valve have let slip a big ol' breakdown of the most successful titles released on Steam over the past twelve months.

Below is the full, hundred-strong roster, complete with links to our coverage if you want to find out more about any of the games, or simply to marvel at how much seemed to happen in the space of 52 short weeks.

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New Stellaris expansion doubles down on humanshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-human-dlcAlec MeerThu, 07 Dec 2017 15:55:55 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-human-dlcParadoxStrategyStellaris

I'll be honest - I'm not totally sure what Paradox are going for with their Humanoid Species Pack for Stellaris, which is released today. The motivation seems to be that humanoids are 'the most-played phenotype' in the 4X sci-fi game, and as such they've stuck in a whole bunch of human-like species, include cyclopes, orcish types, demonic sorts and bionic-eyed dwarves. I guess this makes playing as something other than straight-up boring humans a little more appealing to straight-up boring humans who always choose to play as straight-up boring humans.

However, what's confusing me more is references to humanoids finally getting their own unique ship class, 'inspired by the classics of Western science fiction.' Is... is that a very careful way of trying to be a bit more Star Warsy or Battlestarry without making any lawyers cross?

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Civ V designer Jon Shafer parts with Paradox, "creative differences" blamedhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/jon-shafer-leaves-paradoxAlice O'ConnorFri, 17 Nov 2017 14:13:55 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/jon-shafer-leaves-paradoxJon ShaferParadox Development StudioSid Meier's Civilization VCrusader Kings IIParadox InteractiveStellarisStrategy

Jon Shafer, the lead designer of Firaxis's Civilization V and his own strategy game At the Gates, is gone from strategy specialists Paradox only six months after joining. Paradox say neither that he ditched the company nor that they fired him, rather that they have all "decided to part ways due to creative differences." How enigmatic! We didn't even know what he was working on.

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Stellaris FTL changes are in the warp pipeshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-ftl-changes-are-in-the-warp-pipesMatt CoxFri, 03 Nov 2017 12:06:33 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-ftl-changes-are-in-the-warp-pipesParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStrategyStellaris

Paradox is packing everyone onto the space-highway, and reworking how FTL travel works in their galactic 4X game, Stellaris. While you can currently choose either Warp, Hyperdrive or Wormholes as your space empire's means of travel, Paradox have decided that having asymmetrical movement methods - while "an interesting idea on paper" - creates too many problems for features they'd like to implement. Once the Cherryh update hits, every player will start with Hyperdrive technology only. That means every player will (with a few exceptions) be limited to travelling via pre-determined space lanes, which constitutes a major change to the game's core systems. One of those X's does stand for (shudder) Xploration, after all.

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Steam's Halloween Sale is great for grand strategyhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-halloween-sale-is-great-for-grand-strategyFraser BrownFri, 27 Oct 2017 16:35:05 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-halloween-sale-is-great-for-grand-strategyAge Of Wonders IIIHearts of Iron IVEuropa Universalis IVCrusader Kings IIParadox InteractiveVictoria IIStellarisSteamStrategyHalloween

With Halloween fast approaching, I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about typical spooky things: ghouls and ghosts, vampires and werewolves, marrying off my daughter to an appropriate suitor and the best trade strategy to dominate the Aegean. The Steam Halloween Sale is in full swing until November 1, and thanks to Paradox Interactive, it’s full of grand strategy games.

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Has Stellaris been improved by its updates?https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/has-stellaris-been-improved-by-its-updatesRich McCormickWed, 18 Oct 2017 20:00:54 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/has-stellaris-been-improved-by-its-updatesFeatureParadoxParadox InteractiveUpdate NightStellaris: Synthetic DawnStellarisStellaris: Utopia

Hi! I’m an incredibly charismatic space otter, and I love you! Not just you! I love everyone, be they otter analogues, bird people, or particularly advanced fungal infections! I even love murderous robots, which I’m aware is not a great idea because they’re murderous robots!

At least that’s what StellarisScyldari would say, if they could do anything apart from bat their ears adorably on the game’s menu screens. Paradox’s Stellaris is freeform grand strategy, in the mould of the developer’s other games Europa Universalis and Crusader Kings, and as such is much more about numbers and menus than cut-scenes or narrative arcs.

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Stellaris timelapse shows 200 years passing in 5 minuteshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-timelapse-shows-200-years-in-five-minutesBrendan CaldwellTue, 26 Sep 2017 16:14:44 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-timelapse-shows-200-years-in-five-minutesParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStrategyStellaris

One of my favourite genres of internet video is “Map of the world being rapidly warped by the rising and falling of civilisations as loud and menacing classical music plays in the background”. I like this one and this one and – ooooo - this one. So when confronted with a video suggestion of the same thing being done in interstellar strategy game Stellaris [official site], my heart was filled with a grubby, map-loving glee. Here you can see Volodymyr Valkiv’s game in which a scary red faction called “Chaos” slowly envelops the galaxy over 200 years. But with the magic of YouTube, it only takes 5 minutes. Come see.

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Steam Charts: Stellaris Editionhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-charts-september-2017-2John WalkerMon, 25 Sep 2017 08:57:50 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-charts-september-2017-2FeatureCounter-Strike: Global OffensiveSimulationDivinity: Original Sin 2PUBG: BattlegroundsDead by DaylightStellaris: Synthetic DawnTotal War: Warhammer IIStellarisStellaris: UtopiaGrand Theft Auto VSteam

A funny old week in the charts, which is to say, H1Z1 and The Witcher 3 have been shoved out by the hatrick of appearances from Stellaris. Also it's worth noting that Dishonored: Death Of The Outsider has disappeared after just one week, which seems a bit of a shame.

Oh, and as correctly predicted last week, absolutely no sign of XCOM 2 making nearly as much money now it's back to £34.99 for both the base game and the War of the Chosen expansion. Shocking!

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Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn activated todayhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-synthetic-dawn-releasedAlice O'ConnorThu, 21 Sep 2017 14:15:52 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-synthetic-dawn-releasedParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStellaris: Synthetic DawnStellarisStrategyDLC

Whether you want to assimilate organic life, purge it from the galaxy, or coddle it like helpless spacebabies, Stellaris [official site] has your robotic fantasies covered in its Synthetic Dawn add-on. Launched today, it lets players create their own robotic empire from the start (as opposed to transcending their flesh in the late game) with their own civics, buildings, events, perks, and so on. It'll also bring eccentric Fallen machine empires, the risk of machine uprisings creating their own empires, and more.

In the usual Paradox way, the DLC launch is accompanied by a huge patch bringing changes and new bits to all players of the space strategy game.

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Rise up against the meatbags in Stellaris' Synthetic Dawn DLC this monthhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-synthetic-dawn-release-date-announcedFraser BrownThu, 07 Sep 2017 09:58:29 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-synthetic-dawn-release-date-announcedParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStellaris: Synthetic DawnStellarisStrategy

Paradox Interactive have, unfortunately, shed their fleshy shells and embraced the ways of the machine, and they're now slyly spreading pro-robot propaganda through the latest DLC story pack for Stellaris [official site], Synthetic Dawn. It'll let you make all manner of machine societies when the singularity begins on September 21.

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Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn DLC adding proper robot civshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-synthetic-dawn-expansion-announcedAlice O'ConnorThu, 03 Aug 2017 13:56:45 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-synthetic-dawn-expansion-announcedParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStellaris: Synthetic DawnStellarisStrategy

It's robo a go-go with the next Stellaris [official site] DLC, Paradox announced today. Due later this year, the Synthetic Dawn Story Pack DLC will let players start as mechanical men, with new events, ships, traits, story beats, and so on. The spacefaring strategy game already lets players transcend their flesh and become synthetics deep down a tech tree but ick, who wants to have ever been meat at all? Shameful.

As is customary, a big free update will launch alongside this paid expansion. Update 1.8, nicknamed 'Čapek' after the Czech writer who popularised the word 'robot', brings changes to habitability, hive minds, and more.

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Paradox giving games to customers affected by regional price riseshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/paradox-regional-price-rises-free-gamesAlice O'ConnorFri, 07 Jul 2017 17:19:00 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/paradox-regional-price-rises-free-gamesHearts of Iron IVParadox InteractiveCrusader Kings IIStellarisStrategyEuropa Universalis IV

Paradox have started handing out games as compensation to those affected by their recent surprise regional price hikes. Prices went up by only a few percent for some people but almost doubled for others. Paradox have reverted the prices now. They had thought they might be able to give partial refunds but that's proved unworkable.

Instead, anyone who bought Paradox products at the higher prices -- which were between May 17th and July 6th -- is eligible to claim a game from a list including Stellaris and Crusader Kings II, or alternatively two bits of select DLC.

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Civ 6, EUIV and Endless Legend designers on how their strategy games create the illusion of a worldhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/civ-6-euiv-and-endless-legend-designers-on-how-their-strategy-games-create-the-illusion-of-a-worldOliver MilneThu, 29 Jun 2017 20:00:51 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/civ-6-euiv-and-endless-legend-designers-on-how-their-strategy-games-create-the-illusion-of-a-worldFeatureEndless SpaceEndless Space 2Sid Meier's PiratesEndless LegendStellarisStrategyEuropa Universalis IVSid Meier's Civilization 6

Big, slow, sweeping strategy games expose their rules in a way no other game does. Call of Duty doesn’t have floating numbers above enemy heads, telling you their movement speed, for example. But in most 4X and grand strategy games, there is no attempt to hide exactly how everything works: the stats, their interactions, are all laid out and plain to see. Yet these games are utterly dependent on their ability to evoke a sense of place, scale, and history – they have to be much more than just a fancy chessboard, they have to feel alive, or they’re just not much fun. How can these games survive and thrive under such conflicting pressures? I spoke to three of the world’s top strategy game designers, from Firaxis, Paradox and Amplitude, to find out.

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Steam summer sale: our giant recommendations listhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-summer-sale-our-giant-recommendations-listBrendan CaldwellFri, 23 Jun 2017 17:01:52 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-summer-sale-our-giant-recommendations-listHyper Light DrifterDoor KickersNorthgardBroforceXCOM 2Devil DaggersMountainViscera Cleanup DetailDragon's Dogma: Dark ArisenEndless LegendGrand Theft Auto VFran BowNo Man's SkyOri and the Blind ForestLife Is StrangeThe RoomStory RichTorment: Tides of NumeneraAbzuTyrannyElse Heart BreakStellarisDeadly PremonitionMorphopolisMiddle-earth: Shadow of MordorSteamDarkest DungeonFootball Manager 2017Metro: Last LightBlood Bowl 2Dying LightHitmanPreyDishonored 2State of Decay: Year One Survival EditionState of DecayThis War of MineSubnauticaSOMAMachinariumTeam17Grand Theft Auto IVVoid & MeddlerJust Cause 3NieR: AutomataWolfenstein: The New OrderTransistorDead CellsSokobondThe Witcher 3: Wild HuntThe Binding of Isaac: RebirthMetro 2033Samorost 2ValveLeft 4 Dead 2The Long DarkResident Evil 7: BiohazardWatch Dogs 2Sid Meier's Civilization 6

The Steam summer sale is in full blaze. For a while it even blazed so hot that the servers went on fire and all the price stickers peeled off the games. Either that or the store just got swamped with cheapskates looking for the best bargains. Cheapskates like you! Well, don’t worry. We’ve rounded up some recommendations - both general tips and some newly added staff choices.

Here are the things you should consider owning in your endless consumeristic lust for a happiness which always seems beyond reach. You're welcome.

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Paradox reverting recent regional price increaseshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/paradox-reverting-regional-price-increasesAlice O'ConnorFri, 23 Jun 2017 10:36:49 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/paradox-reverting-regional-price-increaseseuropa universalisHearts of Iron IVParadox InteractiveCrusader Kings IIStellarisStrategy

Paradox Interactive, the gang behind games including Crusader Kings and Hearts of Iron, have pledged to undo their recent increases to regional prices across much of the world. While many of the price rises were minor, others were huge. For example, the price of Stellaris in Russia went from 699₽ to 1199₽. Paradox had said the increases were "to make our prices match the purchasing power of those areas" but have since decided they communicated this poorly, so they will roll the prices back.

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13 recent games that run well on terrible laptopshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/games-for-laptops-2017Alec MeerThu, 25 May 2017 16:00:43 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/games-for-laptops-2017FeatureLeague of LegendsDead CellsDota 2Rocket LeagueNight in the WoodsPreyThe Elder Scrolls OnlineRimWorldHardwarePlanescape: Torment: Enhanced EditionScanner SombreStardew ValleyStellarisStellaris: UtopiaThe Elder Scrolls Online - Morrowind

'Terrible' only in the sense of their gaming capability. Honestly, I'm sure your laptop is lovely to look at and it was definitely a extremely sensible idea to spend all that money on it instead of buying a holiday or helping to save the pandas. Truth is, though, that playing recently-released games on the vast majority of laptops is about as effective as starting an online petition to uncancel your favourite television show.

A little discretion goes a long way, however. Sure, you may be denied the glossiest of exploding viscera, but it is entirely possible to keep up with the Joneses even on a Terrible Laptop that has no dedicated graphics card. Here are but twelve contemporary games - either recently released or still-evolving going concerns - that will indeed run on your glammed-up toaster. Additional suggestions below are entirely welcome.

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Steam Charts: come on call chatbackhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/biggest-steam-games-mayAlec MeerTue, 16 May 2017 10:48:37 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/biggest-steam-games-mayShooterFeatureCounter-Strike: Global OffensiveDark Souls IIIDead CellsChartsDoomPreyPUBG: BattlegroundsStellarisStellaris: UtopiaGrand Theft Auto VSteamH1Z1: King of the Kill

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Fight me! Stellaris beta patch fixes AI not declaring warhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-1-6-1-beta-update-ai-not-declaring-warAlice O'ConnorFri, 12 May 2017 12:28:28 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-1-6-1-beta-update-ai-not-declaring-warParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStrategyStellaris

War has returned to the galaxy with a hasty hotfix for Stellaris [official site], clearing up some big problems created by the recent update 1.6 (nicknamed 'Adams'). Here's the biggest one: AI factions were not declaring war. That's a bold utopian vision of our spacefuture but a bit wonky for a game full of spacewar. That's a mighty embarrassing bug, both for developers Paradox and for me. I've been feeling chuffed about my diplomatic skills in my current game but, er, nope, my spacepeacocks flourished because my rivals were entirely unable to spacepunch me in my beautiful spaceface.

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Stellaris launches Update 1.6, hands out birthday DLChttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-launches-update-1-6-hands-out-birthday-dlcAlice O'ConnorTue, 09 May 2017 14:36:21 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-launches-update-1-6-hands-out-birthday-dlcParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStrategyStellaris

Happy birthday, Stellaris [official site]! To celebrate the first birthday of their space strategy game, Paradox have released a new update and are giving all spaceguests party favours in the form of free cosmetic DLC. The pack of species portraits offered as a pre-order bonus are now free to all players, and Paradox have thrown in some colourful new ones too - like that ↑ spacepeacock. As for Update 1.6, nicknamed 'Adams' after the interactive fiction writer, that's smaller than many updates but still brings some good changes. The game has come a fair way over the past year.

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Get Stellaris for just $12 through Humble Monthlyhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-in-humble-monthly-bundleSamuel HortiSat, 06 May 2017 19:00:28 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-in-humble-monthly-bundleStrategyHumble BundleStellaris

Grand strategy game Stellaris [official site] throws up some pretty wild space stories – just read Brendan's account of being a galactic robot dad or his tale of a peaceful race of multicultural turtles and you'll see what I mean. It was one of the best games of last year and the recent expansion, Utopia, has taken it up another level.

The base game will set you back £40 on Steam but this month you can pick it up for just $12 through Humble Monthly, the Humble's subscription service for a package of mystery games that releases (you guessed it!) once a month. That's a sweet deal – and don't worry, you can cancel after the first bundle.

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Stellaris: A utopian race of multicultural turtles, part 2https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-a-utopian-race-of-multicultural-turtles-part-2Brendan CaldwellThu, 27 Apr 2017 18:00:49 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-a-utopian-race-of-multicultural-turtles-part-2DiaryFeatureSimulationParadox InteractiveStellarisStellaris: UtopiaStrategy

Last time in this diary on grand space strategy Stellaris, my species of sugary, democratic Tortals invited everyone to their space nation regardless of race, creed or culture. It was a burgeoning multicultural utopia called the Open Gates. Then a terrifying horde of transdimensional beings arrived and started to eat everyone like a rack of saucy ribs, which is against the rules.

The Tortals and their compatriots have now escaped in a flotilla of refugee ships to the Shell, a corner of space where they hope to be safe. They are far from the Unbidden, the aforementioned interdimensional gatecrashers, but now they have new neighbours in the form of of two very large despotic empires. And, as any cultured dictator knows, shells usually contain something tasty and soft inside.

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Stellaris: A utopian race of multicultural turtles, part 1https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/diary-multicultural-turtle-utopia-stellaris-part-1Brendan CaldwellWed, 19 Apr 2017 20:18:30 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/diary-multicultural-turtle-utopia-stellaris-part-1SimulationParadoxStellarisStellaris: UtopiaStrategy

"It will all take care of itself" – infamous Tortal saying

Welcome to the Open Gates of Tortal. All are welcome here. Are you a slithering conformist lizard looking for employment? Come and work in our power plants. Maybe you’re a consumerist mollusc seeking some retail therapy? Then visit our pleasure districts. Are you a titanic ocean beast of uncertain origin? Join our defensive military academy, you’ll fit right in. The Open Gates are for everyone. Wait, who are you? Oh, an aggressive inter-dimensional collective of carnivorous energy? GET OUT. SPACE IS FULL.

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Steam charts: no funny businesshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/best-steam-games-aprilAlec MeerTue, 11 Apr 2017 11:00:21 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/best-steam-games-aprilCounter-Strike: Global OffensiveDark Souls IIIBlockbusterChartsArk: Survival EvolvedDishonored 2PUBG: BattlegroundsStellarisStellaris: UtopiaEuropa Universalis IV: Mandate of HeavenEuropa Universalis IVH1Z1: King of the KillNieR: Automata

He was a boy. She was a girl. Can I make it anymore obvious? He wrote the weekly Steam charts. She read them.

What more can I say?

Other than that these are the ten Steam games with the most accumulated sales over the past week, obv. See ya later, boy.

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Wot I Think - Stellaris: Utopiahttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-utopia-reviewFraser BrownFri, 07 Apr 2017 16:00:30 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-utopia-reviewFeatureParadox Development StudioReviewsParadox InteractiveStellarisStellaris: UtopiaStrategyWot I Think

Utopia is the first major expansion for Stellaris, Paradox Development Studio’s 4X, grand strategy space hydra. It’s a term that normally conjures up images of a perfect society, all green and chill and maybe a little like Star Trek’s United Federation of Planets. That’s nice, I guess, but what if your idea of perfection is building a civilization on the backs of robotic slaves? And what about a monstrous hive of ravenous beasties that won’t rest until all matter in the universe has been consumed? What would its utopia look like? I’ve been experimenting with a galaxy-sized petri dish to find out.

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Stellaris launches Utopia expansion and Banks updatehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-launches-utopia-expansion-and-banks-updateAlice O'ConnorThu, 06 Apr 2017 13:49:55 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-launches-utopia-expansion-and-banks-updateParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStellarisStellaris: UtopiaStrategyDLC

Today's a big day for Stellaris [official site], as developers Paradox have launched its first proper expansion and a big game-changing patch. Headline features for the Utopia expansion include space habitats, dreadful new forms of enslaving and purging species, and 'ascension perks' to customise and shape species towards mechanical, biological, or psionic final forms. Update 1.5 (nicknamed Banks), meanwhile, reworks the government system, adds a civics system to make empires more unique, improves AI, fixes bugs, adds technologies, and changes plenty more. Exciting times in space.

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Paradox are bringing devs and games to Rezzedhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/egx-rezzed-paradoxAdam SmithMon, 20 Mar 2017 10:23:56 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/egx-rezzed-paradoxColossal OrderSteel Division: Normandy 44Paradox InteractiveEGX Rezzed 2017StellarisStellaris: UtopiaCities: SkylinesStrategyEGX RezzedEugen Systems

As long-time readers will know, I don't believe there's any possibility of a party unless someone brings a strategy game to the dancefloor. This year, EGX Rezzed is going to be party central. For the first time, Paradox will have a presence at the show, in the form of three playable games (including the just-announced Steel Division: Normandy 44's multiplayer) and two developer sessions. They're both on the Friday, with Cities: Skylines up first at 12PM and Stellaris following at 2PM. In the former, you'll hear Colossal Order's CEO on continuous development post-release, and working with a large community, and in the latter Stellaris' game director will talk about the first year post-release, and the major expansion, Utopia.

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Stellaris: Utopia expansion blasting off on April 6thhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-utopia-expansion-release-dateAlice O'ConnorMon, 27 Feb 2017 15:13:54 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-utopia-expansion-release-dateParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStellarisStellaris: UtopiaStrategy

The first proper expansion for Stellaris [official site] will launch on April 6th, Paradox announced today. Utopia adds shiny futuristic features like buildable Dyson spheres, ring worlds, and habitat stations (very utopian), psionic, biological, and mechanical 'Ascension' paths (also utopian), and a variety of new ways to oppress and enslave other races (very... Omelasian). Well, utopias are always meant to be rhetorical, aren't they? While Utopia is a paid expansion, the big update 'Banks' will launch for free alongside it with a load of handy new features.

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Stellaris' New Horizons mod is the best Star Trek gamehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-star-trek-new-horizons-modFraser BrownWed, 22 Feb 2017 21:00:14 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-star-trek-new-horizons-modFeatureParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveModStellarisStrategy

Everything was in place for the Romulan invasion of the United Federation of Planets. Warbirds screeched out of the shipyards of Romulus and Remus on a direct course for the closest Federation worlds, those belonging to the chilly Andorians. The real goal, of course, was neighbouring Vulcan. This was a symbolic war.

As my jade vessels bombarded the frozen Andorian homeworld, the Tal Shiar informed me that yet another Federation ship had been successfully sabotaged. When my Reman shock troops’ boots hit the icy ground, I realised that Star Trek: New Horizons, a Stellaris [official site] mod, was my favourite ever Roddenbery-flavoured game.

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Stellaris: Utopia expansion to blast off with Banks updatehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-utopia-expansion-banks-updateAlice O'ConnorThu, 02 Feb 2017 15:11:44 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-utopia-expansion-banks-updateStellaris: UtopiaParadox Development StudioStrategyStellaris

Having previously launched a few DLCdribs and DLCdrabs into Stellaris [official site], Paradox today announced Utopia, the first "major expansion" for their space strategy game. It will introduce Dyson spheres and ring worlds, let starlords shape their empire's future form such as going cybernetic or reaching a higher plane of existence, and more.

As is customary with Paradox strategy expansions, Utopia will be accompanied by a free update with important new features of its own. Changes in update 1.5, nicknamed 'Banks', will include expanding species rights, reworking ethics, and adding refugees.

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Stellaris sends love letter in new story by Alexis Kennedyhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-update-1-4-alexis-kennedy-storyAlice O'ConnorTue, 06 Dec 2016 11:00:54 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-update-1-4-alexis-kennedy-storyParadox Development StudioAlexis KennedyStrategyStellaris

"I love you" means different things when said to your cat, your parent, your emperor, someone who's just sat next to you on the night bus, and a pint mug of foaming warm advocaat. What does love mean when it's declared by an unknown entity in the depths of space? Ah. Maybe it's best not to find out. But if you're spacecurious or a spaceromantic at heart and you play Stellaris [official site], you can now get loved-up with a free new story update written by Failbetter co-founder Alexis Kennedy.

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RPS Asks: do you restart games you haven't finished?https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/rpgs-strategy-beginningAdam SmithThu, 24 Nov 2016 19:00:59 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/rpgs-strategy-beginningFeatureRPS asksThe Witcher 3: Wild HuntRPGPillars of EternityStellarisStrategySid Meier's Civilization 6

I've played a million beginnings and around a thousand endings, or at least that's how it feels. Imagine having seen the first act of Romeo and Juliet a hundred times but never having seen how it ends. That's my experience with all manner of games, from big story-driven RPGs to some of my favourite strategy epics. I've founded so many starter cities that have never birthed a civilization and met so many characters whose fate I don't know. And this isn't a case of starting a game and then abandoning it; these are the games that I play again and again, sinking days and weeks into them, restarting but never finishing.

Diablo III is the latest.

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Steam’s Autumn sale has begun - here's some pickshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-autumn-sale-2016-best-picksBrendan CaldwellWed, 23 Nov 2016 20:31:40 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-autumn-sale-2016-best-picksTom Clancy's The DivisionXCOM 2BattleriteThe Witcher 3: Blood and WineFar Cry PrimalStory RichDark Souls IIIStellarisBlockbusterDoomFar Cry 4Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six SiegeStardew ValleyCities: SkylinesJust Cause 3Deus Ex: Mankind DividedThe Witcher 3: Wild HuntInsideAlien: IsolationDishonoredInvisible Inc.Sid Meier's Civilization 6

Aside from starting a new tradition of unusually-named Steam Awards, Valve have also pulled out their worn and adored bargain bucket and have begun to fill it with games you’ll enthusiastically buy and probably never play. Yes, it's their Autumn Sale. In the streets, the apocalyptic jockeying for TVs and blenders has started. The moon has turned blood red. And I looked and behold a pale horse, and his name that sat on him was Black Friday, and sales followed with him.

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Wish Upon A Stellaris: Banks, Kennedy, And Beyondhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-banks-update-kennedy-update-plansAlice O'ConnorFri, 28 Oct 2016 15:20:08 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-banks-update-kennedy-update-plansParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStrategyStellaris

Our Adam had a look at the state of Stellaris [official site] after Paradox released the most-recent update and paid add-on for their space strategy game. He called those "an indication that the studio have ideas as to how the universe can become more lively, without making it more cluttered at the same time, and that makes the future of Stellaris very exciting indeed." And what of that future? Paradox have shared some of their plans and hopes for the future, which include fleshing out the mid- and late-game, adding a "space UN", expanding ethics, and making empires more interesting and alive.

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Wot I Think: Stellaris - Leviathanshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-leviathans-reviewAdam SmithThu, 27 Oct 2016 20:00:08 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-leviathans-reviewFeatureParadox Development StudioReviewsParadoxStellaris: Leviathans Story PackStellarisStrategyWot I Think

Space dragons, wars in heaven, awakening gods, secret enclaves and (most delicious of all) user interface improvements. Stellaris: Leviathans [official site] brings some gargantuan beasts and big features to Paradox's sci-fi strategy game, but is it a small step forward or a great leap into the unknown?

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Get Kraken, Lads: Stellaris Gets V1.3, Leviathans DLChttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-heinlein-update-and-leviathans-dlc-releasedAlice O'ConnorThu, 20 Oct 2016 14:28:23 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-heinlein-update-and-leviathans-dlc-releasedParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStellaris: Leviathans Story PackStellarisStrategyDLC

Today's a big day for Stellaris [official site] as Paradox's spacefaring grand strategy game receives both the long-awaited patch codenamed 'Heinlein' and its meatiest add-on yet, the Leviathans Story Pack. But wait! If you're stuck into a game from the last patch, do be aware that update 1.3 will not work with your save file. Paradox do handily have a way to get back that old version, if you desperately want to polish it off before moving on. But if not, coo 'eck let's look at all that's new today.

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Stellaris Gets Space Krakens and More With Leviathanshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-leviathans-story-packBrittany VincentMon, 17 Oct 2016 15:21:15 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-leviathans-story-packStellaris: Leviathans Story PackStrategyParadox InteractiveStellaris

Paradox's 4x grand strategy game Stellaris [Official Site] is getting another boost to story and mechanics with the upcoming Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack. Now, instead of just worrying about the everyday issues of diplomacy, combat, and trade, you also have to worry about giant space Kraken destroying your fleets.

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Stellaris Leviathans DLC & Heinlein Patch Due Oct 20thhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-heinlen-patch-leviathans-dlc-release-dateAlice O'ConnorMon, 10 Oct 2016 14:26:46 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-heinlen-patch-leviathans-dlc-release-dateParadox Development StudioStellaris: Leviathans Story PackStellarisStrategyDLC

Strange and giant space nasties are coming to Stellaris [official site] in the Leviathans paid expansion, which Paradox today announced will launch on October 20th. Players will get to fight a space dragon for its horde, encounter a mysterious sphere, meet something which lives inside a sun, and so on - the usual stuff.

Just as important - perhaps more so? - is the free update hitting the 4X strategy game alongside the expansion. Codenamed Heinlein (after the sci-fi author, as is Paradox's way), it will add or overhaul features from auto-explore to sector governors.

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Terror From The Deep: Stellaris' Leviathans Expansionhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-leviathans-expansionAdam SmithThu, 15 Sep 2016 15:46:23 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-leviathans-expansionParadox Development StudioParadoxStellaris: Leviathans Story PackStellarisStrategyDLC

Paradox have announced the first meaty expansion for their sci-fi strategy epic Stellaris [official site]. It goes by the name Leviathans and they're calling it a 'Story Pack', which makes me think this might be where former Failbetter scribe Alexis Kennedy has been sticking his nib. It seems like a smart place to put him if so. Kennedy was the lead writer on Sunless Sea and the trailer for Leviathans looks an awful lot like it's channeling Terror From the Deep. Take a look.

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Sunless Sea's Former Lead Now Writing For Stellarishttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-sunless-sea-failbetterAdam SmithMon, 15 Aug 2016 09:59:32 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-sunless-sea-failbetterSunless SeaFallen LondonParadoxStellarisFailbetter GamesStrategyAlexis Kennedy

Stellaris [official site], Paradox's sci-fi fusion of 4x design and grand strategy ideals, is a game that generates stories. As your species moves through the galaxy, encountering all manner of alien life, you'll create tiny tales and epic sagas. There are also stories already written, however, in the form of quest chains, and over the weekend we learned that one of the minds behind Fallen London and Sunless Sea will be adding to those space-stories. Alexis Kennedy, co-founder and formerly creative director of Failbetter Games, is now crafting word-shapes for Stellaris.

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Some Games I'd Rather Read About Than Playhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/some-games-id-rather-read-about-than-playJohn WalkerThu, 04 Aug 2016 20:00:00 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/some-games-id-rather-read-about-than-playFeatureEVE OnlineSupporters onlyStellarisStrategy

There are lots of games I see people thoroughly enjoying that interested me very little - mobas, online match-based multiplayer, rural management cuteness - and I'm really pleased they exist and provide such entertainment. But it's not for me. However, there are other games that I have absolutely no intention of ever playing that absolutely fascinate me, and I love to read about the adventures people have within. Below are three of them.

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Make Like A Tree And Warp: Stellaris Plantoids DLC Outhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/make-like-a-tree-and-warp-stellaris-plantoids-dlc-outAlice O'ConnorThu, 04 Aug 2016 14:36:05 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/make-like-a-tree-and-warp-stellaris-plantoids-dlc-outParadox Development StudioStrategyDLCStellaris

Paradox today released the first bit of paid DLC for Stellaris [official site], adding a Plantoid species type to their space strategy game. It's only a collection of cosmetic doodahs but they are pretty ones - check out the gorgeous new portaits. Aren't those great? I'm not being funny, right, but I am enjoying imagining how they would feel to the touch. Meanwhile, Paradox have also returned from their summer holidays to work on the next major free update, nicknamed 'Heinlein', and they've started teasing features such as a new Federation victory condition.

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Intergalactic, Planty: The First Stellaris Species Packhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-plantoid-species-packAlice O'ConnorTue, 12 Jul 2016 16:51:37 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-plantoid-species-packParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveStrategyStellaris

Plantoids will be the first new lifeforms added to Stellaris [official site] in a 'Species Pack', developers Paradox announced today. As is fairly typical for their grand strategy games, the pack will add unique portraits and models for a variety of plantpeople. It's not a huge deal but hey, if you've been waiting for word on actual expansions then you might like knowing Paradox are at least getting the DLC train rolling.

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Find Space: Stellaris Alpha Mod Adds Loads Of Changeshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-alpha-modJoe DonnellySat, 09 Jul 2016 15:00:11 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stellaris-alpha-modParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveModStellarisStrategy

When I gathered my favourite Stellaris [official site] mods last month, there were just over 2,000 brimming from its Steam Workshop - an impressive number, given the game had only been out for five weeks or so at that point. Three weeks on and almost 500 have since been added to the collection, one of which just missed my roundup cut: the Stellaris Alpha Mod.

Not only does the ambitious modification add over 60 new buildings, 17 new resources and seven new edicts, among a range of other things, creator AlphaAsh has since been actively planning new features, taking suggestions from players and fixing bugs, all of which suggests the Alpha Mod will only get bigger. To infinity... and beyond etc.

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