Sid Meier's StarShips

[stargazer1235]

The new game announced by Firaxis today. Following the events of Civilization and Civilization: Beyond Earth, your faction has flourished on it's new home and has developed the technology to go between the stars in a convenient fashion. You eventually make contact with other races and factions throughout the galaxy (unknown if they are Human or Alien) and head out to start expanding to other planets.

Feature (As compiled from many sites)

• Build a space emprie
  
• Manage resources and fleets
  
• Do quests to protect or destory the other races
  
• Ships are customizable
  

Release Date

Spring of 2015, on PC/Mac plus Ipad

Announcement Trailer

[CptRichardson]

You forgot another feature: The saves are cross-compatable with Beyond Earth, meaning that in a way Starships is in fact as pseudo-DLC for BE as theoretically you can change the course of a BE game or Interstellar game with events in the other.

[ZedNova]

Wait what? This even has the same narrator as Beyond earth.

And at the end, it says "Download from the app store".

[megatiger78]

Wait what? This even has the same narrator as Beyond earth.

And at the end, it says "Download from the app store".

it is also going to be on Ipad.

[Vanamonde]

I hate trailers that say absolutely nothing about gameplay.

[Thomas988]

I hate trailers that say absolutely nothing about gameplay.

Ikr? Is it a strategy game, space battle game, orbital simulator...dang it! How can I hype for something if I don't even know what it is?!

[Bill Phil]

Of course, interstellar war.

[Norpo]

Ikr? Is it a strategy game, space battle game, orbital simulator...dang it! How can I hype for something if I don't even know what it is?!

According to arstechnica: http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/01/sid-meiers-starships-goes-beyond-beyond-earth/

"The announcement doesn't go into minute detail on gameplay, but it says players will be tasked with the Civilization-reminiscent tasks of "build[ing] a planetary federation by exploring the galaxy, expanding its influence and domain, researching futuristic technologies and engaging in deep, turn-based tactical space combat.""

Gamespot also says: http://www.gamespot.com/articles/firaxis-reveals-new-interstellar-strategy-game-sid/1100-6424728/

"In the game, you'll control a fleet of starships as you journey through the galaxy to complete missions, protect planets and their inhabitants, and build a planetary federation.As you trek through the stars, you'll be challenged to expand your federation's influence and reach. You'll also amass futuristic technology and take part in turn-based combat using a deep roster of customizable ships, some of which you can see in the image gallery above.

2K adds that the missions you'll take on have their own unique maps, featuring "dynamically generated tactical combat" that should boost the game's replayability."

That gleans SOME light, but not much. But hey, it's something. (Highlight for me: Cutomisable ships, and "dynamically generated tactical combat".)

[Thomas988]

According to arstechnica: http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/01/sid-meiers-starships-goes-beyond-beyond-earth/

"The announcement doesn't go into minute detail on gameplay, but it says players will be tasked with the Civilization-reminiscent tasks of "build[ing] a planetary federation by exploring the galaxy, expanding its influence and domain, researching futuristic technologies and engaging in deep, turn-based tactical space combat.""

Gamespot also says: http://www.gamespot.com/articles/firaxis-reveals-new-interstellar-strategy-game-sid/1100-6424728/

"In the game, you'll control a fleet of starships as you journey through the galaxy to complete missions, protect planets and their inhabitants, and build a planetary federation.As you trek through the stars, you'll be challenged to expand your federation's influence and reach. You'll also amass futuristic technology and take part in turn-based combat using a deep roster of customizable ships, some of which you can see in the image gallery above.

2K adds that the missions you'll take on have their own unique maps, featuring "dynamically generated tactical combat" that should boost the game's replayability."

That gleans SOME light, but not much. But hey, it's something. (Highlight for me: Cutomisable ships, and "dynamically generated tactical combat".)

Thanks for the info, Norpo. Sounds pretty interesting, actually.

[basic.syntax]

The way they are presenting it, with so much concept artwork, makes me think they are announcing a new game earlier than they usually might, in this "kickstarter" age. How large numbers of people react to the trailer ("I think it is such-and-such type of game and it better let me do X") may have influence on how it turns out.

[Norpo]

The way they are presenting it, with so much concept artwork, makes me think they are announcing a new game earlier than they usually might, in this "kickstarter" age. How large numbers of people react to the trailer ("I think it is such-and-such type of game and it better let me do X") may have influence on how it turns out.

Actually, you have a fair point there.

I imagine since it's also going to be available as a (mobile) app, it's not gonna be TOO feature packed, so the spring 2015 release date makes sense. I wouldn't expect something on-par with civ-5, though it certainly may have the same "feature-to-polish-to-balance" ratio. Of course, I could be totally wrong and this could be the best-selling strategy game on the app store.

EDIT: Gamespot got an interview (with gameplay screenshots!) http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sid-meier-s-starships-going-beyond-beyond-earth/1100-6424735/

Edited January 21, 2015 by Norpo

[Vanamonde]

So this is Sid Meier's Master of Orion IV?

[Kinglet]

I am just hoping this won't be freemium on iPad.

[megatiger78]

how would changing saves with Beyond Earth work anyway?

[KerbMav]

Actually, you have a fair point there.

I imagine since it's also going to be available as a (mobile) app, it's not gonna be TOO feature packed, so the spring 2015 release date makes sense. I wouldn't expect something on-par with civ-5, though it certainly may have the same "feature-to-polish-to-balance" ratio. Of course, I could be totally wrong and this could be the best-selling strategy game on the app store.

EDIT: Gamespot got an interview (with gameplay screenshots!) http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sid-meier-s-starships-going-beyond-beyond-earth/1100-6424735/

http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1365/13658182/2784416-screenshot_combat_harmonyvspurityfleet.jpg

http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1365/13658182/2784418-screenshot_strategylayer_1.jpg

Oh dear - I honestly thought that if they make it a tie in with Civ/BE storywise, will they just use hexagons and change graphics?

[Norpo]

So, it's out now.

What do people think (if they have it?)

It's defenitely more of a casual game than the Civilization series, but it's alright for what it is in my opinion.

[Arugela]

The new game announced by Firaxis today. Following the events of Civilization and Civilization: Beyond Earth, your faction has flourished on it's new home and has developed the technology to go between the stars in a convenient fashion. You eventually make contact with other races and factions throughout the galaxy (unknown if they are Human or Alien) and head out to start expanding to other planets.

Feature (As compiled from many sites)

• Build a space emprie
  
• Manage resources and fleets
  
• Do quests to protect or destory the other races
  
• Ships are customizable
  

Release Date

Spring of 2015, on PC/Mac plus Ipad

Announcement Trailer

They ditched linux after one game?

[TheSaint]

Eh. It's very casual. Very easy to beat. I bought it last night and I've played through four games, already beaten it on Hard level. (Haven't tried Impossible yet. I'll give that a go tonight.) I actually haven't bought Beyond Earth yet, waiting for it to go on sale. I'm curious to see what the integration changes.