At Gamescon 2015, Paradox Development Studio might have announced their most ambitious and exciting project in years. Stellaris, like an alien amalgam of Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis combined with a 4X game like Galactic Civilizations, is the latest GSG (Grand Strategy Game) to be announced by Paradox Interactive.
Wait. What’s the difference between a 4X game and a grand strategy game? So, a 4X game consists of the four E’s and X’s: eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate. Easy enough.
A grand strategy game, or GSG, usually incorporates two of these in any given game but then might downplay the other two aspects. GSG’s are almost exclusively real time and incorporate greater aspects of micro-management. Stellaris is firmly in the camp of both genres, meaning big changes for the Paradox game design we’ve come to understand.
Now we have a trailer and some preliminary information to keep our space fairing minds occupied:
I say could because Paradox is, at this point, infamous for releasing buggy albeit enjoyable vanilla titles.
Still, this game looks wildly promising. So much so that RockPaperShotgun did a great write up on why Stellaris is the best game at Gamescon 2015. You can also check the Steam page for more information on Stellaris, which the following quote is from.
Featuring deep strategic gameplay, an enormous selection of alien races and emergent storytelling, Stellaris has a deeply challenging system that rewards interstellar exploration as you traverse, discover, interact and learn more about the multitude of species you will encounter during your travels. Etch your name across the cosmos by uncovering remote celestial outposts,and entire civilizations. Will you expand through war or walk the path of diplomacy to achieve your goals?
As more information is doled out of the following months, strategy fans of both 4X titles and GSG’s will be eagerly awaiting any morsel of news they can sink their teeth into.
Will you vie for a chance to explore and exploit the cosmos? Let us know in the comments below.
