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'Civilization' reinvents itself again this October
It's been a long time coming, but a new Civ, Civilization VI, will hit PC this October. Traditionally Civ games have come every four or five years, but the release of the Beyond Earth spin-off in 2014 and its subsequent Rising Tide expansion appear to have pushed things back a little. So... what's new in Civilization VI? It's early days still, but the short answer appears to be "lots."
'Endless' series crosses one million copies sold
The "Endless" series of games reached over one million copies sold, Iceberg Interactive announced. The series consists of three games, Dungeon of the Endless, Endless Legend and Endless Space, and the trio combined to sell 1.2 million units to date. All three games were created by Amplitude Studios, the latest being October's Dungeon of the Endless, a retro-styled roguelike for PC and Mac. Amplitude kicked the series off with Endless Space in 2012, a 4X space strategy game that served as a precursor to Endless Legend, which launched in September. Those that pick up the $20 Crystal Pack for Dungeon of the Endless on Steam receive an additional playable faction for Endless Space's Disharmony expansion as well as extra unit skins for Endless Legend. [Image: Iceberg Interactive]
Endless Legend gets modding tools in new add-on
The team at Amplitude Studios is having a busy week, having just launched Dungeon of the Endless in full on Steam a few days ago. Now, it's offering a "Shades of Alteration" add-on for another game in its strategy series, Endless Legend. The free DLC adds a Halloween-themed quest to the 4X fantasy-strategy game called "A Tale from the Dark Season," which rewards players with an undiscolsed prize. The update also introduces modding tools to the game, allowing players to create and tweak a number of game elements to their content. Players will be able to add new faction traits, items, skills, city improvements, technology and quests to Endless Legend, as well as adding or changing resources, text and 2D assets in the strategy game using the new mod tools. Endless Legend launched on Steam in September after its near five-month stay on Early Access. The game's Classic Pack is available on PC or Mac for $35, whereas the $45 Emperor Pack adds bonus in-game items. [Image: Iceberg Interactive]
Endless Legend exits Steam Early Access on September 18
Endless Legend will exit Early Access and launch in full on Steam on September 18, Iceberg Interactive announced. The 4X strategy game entered its alpha phase on the PC distribution platform in April, receiving new factions, "fully functional" multiplayer and other updates in July. The game's soundtrack is also available at a name-your-price rate on Bandcamp, courtesy of Game Audio Factory. Endless Legend is currently 10 percent off ($31.49) while still in its beta state. Buying in to the Founder Pack ($40.49) grants players some assorted bonus goods, including half-off Steam coupons for Amplitude Studios' Endless Space and Endless Space Disharmony. One of the developer's other games, Dungeon of the Endless, was among a list of games confirmed for Xbox One at Gamescom last month. Come to think of it, we're pretty sure there's a pattern to Amplitude Studios' recent naming conventions. [Image: Iceberg Interactive]
Civilization: Beyond Earth enters orbit on October 24
Civilization: Beyond Earth will launch October 24, Firaxis Games announced today. Those that preorder the PC game will receive the Exoplanets Map Pack at launch, which features six maps that were inspired by real exoplanets, such as the Earth-like, forest-filled Kepler 186f, the arid Rigil Khantoris B and Tau Ceti d, a "planet of seas and archipelagos" that has a "wealth of resources." Beyond Earth was first announced at PAX East in April, and breaks free from history by having its roots in space exploration. The game is deemed a spiritual successor to Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri, as Firaxis Games discussed with Joystiq at E3 last month. It's also inspired by sci-fi authors such as Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke. [Image: 2K Games]
Space strategy sequel StarDrive 2 set for September
StarDrive developer Zero Sum Games announced the sequel to the 4X space strategy game. Due out in September, StarDrive 2 places players in a procedurally-generated galaxy with real-time battles. Players also lead an alien race from planet to planet, researching technologies and populating worlds and take on AI opponents in a battle arena mode. The game will also include Steam Workshop support, adding ease of use to the series' current mod support. StarDrive 2 will launch on PC, Mac and Linux on Steam and other retail channels for $29.99. Those that played the original StarDrive will receive a 33 percent loyalty discount on the sequel. [Image: Iceberg Interactive]
4X strategy game Horizon enters Steam space in February
L3O Interactive-developed Horizon will launch on Steam in full in February. The strategy game's beta version was added to Steam Early Access in July 2013, and is still available to purchase for $24.99. Horizon belongs to the 4X strategy genre, which emphasizes universe exploration and conquest. In Horizon's case, players partake in turn-based tactical space combat, developing colonies that interact with ten alien races in industry, trade and sciences. The game is being published by Iceberg Interactive, which brought about another popular 4X space strategy game in 2012, Amplitude Studios' Endless Space.
4X strategy game Star Lords available now on Early Access
Iceberg Interactive launched its 4X strategy game Star Lords on Steam via Early Access. Star Lords promises "deep and complex gameplay" set in a large universe, in which players take part in turn-based space battles involving eight separate races. The studio behind Star Lords is Portuguese developer Arkavi Studios, who created diplomacy, trade and intelligence tools that players use to weaken enemies and build an empire. Players can colonize worlds in the game, which includes a "randomly generated universe, tech tree and units." The alpha version of Star Lords costs $19.99 for PC players to check out, and does not include features like "multiplayer, huge galaxies and domestic policies" at the moment.
Endless Space expands again with free Search For Auriga DLC
Proving that "Endless Space" isn't just a cute title, Iceberg Interactive has announced a new, free expansion for the 4X strategy game that adds new heroes and a new planet type. Developed by Amplitude Studios, The Search For Auriga "will include new heroes, a special wonder, a unique planet, in addition to new features such as Rally Points as well as AI and balancing improvements." Though the prior sentence includes all information currently known about The Search For Auriga, Iceberg Interactive assures fans that more details will emerge soon. How soon? That's unclear, but with this DLC currently slated to launch in November, it should be imminent. The one caveat applied to this otherwise free expansion pack is that it will not work with just the base game of Endless Space. Instead, players will need to own Endless Space and the Disharmony expansion pack in order to play The Search For Auriga. To make this easier on players, Iceberg points out a currently ongoing Steam sale that reduces the cost of Endless Space Gold (a bundle including the original game and the Disharmony expansion) by 75 percent, to only $8.74. This sale ends on October 19; if you're interested, hurry.
How would you change LG's Optimus 4X HD?
A year is a long time in technology, and reading back through the reviews of LG's Optimus 4X HD, it's clear to see a company in transition. Spool forward a few months, and the Optimus G and Nexus 4 has pushed the Korean giant back into the ascendancy. Still, we need to grapple with the 4XHD, which we said had a frustrating camera, underwhelming display and poor battery life. You've had several months to toil away at this device now, so it's time to ask -- did we get it right? That's what How Would You Change is all about.
FreeCiv now playable in browsers, including on iOS devices
FreeCiv is one of my favorite open-source projects out there. Civilization is one of my favorite games, and FreeCiv is an open-source version that you can download and play for free. The latest update of the game has added an HTML 5 version, which means that you can now load up and play FreeCiv right in any compatible browser. And that includes mobile Safari, which means you can now navigate to play.freeciv.org on one of your iOS devices, and play the game at will. Pretty excellent. There is no version of FreeCiv in the App Store, unfortunately, though there has been a port to Android just recently. And Civilization Revolution has been available on both iPad and iPhone for a while now -- it's a simpler, more accessible version of the 4X strategy game. Firaxis has just recently stepped up its efforts on iOS, so it's possible that we will see a more full, official version of Civ arrive on the iPhone before too much longer. Or wait -- what if they ported Alpha Centauri? Drool. But until then, FreeCiv will have to do. If you have never had a chance to play, the game manual should help you out.
4X space strategy game StarDrive out now on Steam
Zero Sum Games' StarDrive is now available on Steam for $26.99. The game is currently 10 percent off until May 3.StarDrive is a new entry in the "4X space strategy" genre, and has players "starting with a single planet and a small number of space-worthy vessels" before seeking out new worlds to conquer and colonies to build and defend. The game features real-time gameplay, eight playable alien races and customizable fleet formations.StarDrive's publisher is Iceberg Interactive, which published another popular 4X game, Endless Space. %Gallery-186958%
Mac Game of the Week: Endless Space is a beautiful space-faring 4X strategy game
There's no question that iOS games tend to be a little more oriented towards the quicker and the easier, so when I head back to the Mac platform looking for a game to spotlight, I like to go a little more cerebral. And Endless Space, as you can probably tell from the screenshot above, is definitely that. It's a 4X strategy game, where the four Xs are actually Es that stand for "eXploration, eXpand, eXploit and eXterminate." As with most games of this type (Civ and Galactic Civilizations are probably my two favorite examples), Endless Space is a turn-based strategy title, where you expand a space-faring civilization out into a galaxy full of various resources and enemies, designed to either help or hinder you on your journey. It's a complicated game, to be sure: There are complex systems of taxation and population to take care of, and the ships that you build and fly around the universe can be customized and tweaked to your heart's content. And the title is certainly apt: Not only is the universe you'll discover very large indeed, but the tech tree itself is practically endless, and the game is almost infinitely replayable as well. Endless Space isn't for the faint of heart -- if browsing through stat screens trying to get as much information as possible before making a major decision about which planet to colonize next isn't all that appealing to you, then maybe you're in the mood for something a little targeted towards the reflexes rather than the mind. But if you are looking for a cerebral, space-based title on the Mac, Endless Space is it. Plus, this week on Steam it's on sale for half off, so you can pick up the basic edition (in a Steam Play version, which means you get it for both PC and Mac) for as low as US$14.99. Enjoy.
LG's Optimus 4X HD officially making its way to European locales June 11 (update)
It's no secret that LG planned to launch its 4.7-inch Optimus 4X HD in select European countries this month, and now the company has confirmed that it's right on schedule. Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain and Italy will be the first to receive the Tegra 3-loaded Android 4.0 smartphone, followed by the likes of six others. According to the translated presser, LG also has a "major surprise" in store regarding the device's launches as well, although details appear to be ambiguous for the time being. You can read all about it from the source below while re-acquainting yourself with its 720p HD IPS LCD using our hands-on from MWC. Update: It looks like the Optimus 4X HD is launching in Europe June 11 starting with Germany, and not in 11 locales as we initially reported. Furthermore, no "surprise" in store -- this was a flub within the translation.
LG Optimus 4X HD stops in at the FCC, flaunts AT&T bands, global support
LG's latest 4.7-inch wunderphone may not have received an official release this side of the Atlantic, but that doesn't mean the Feds aren't putting it through its paces. A global version of the LG Optimus 4X HD made its way through the FCC test labs recently, revealing a quad-band GSM / EDGE radio with 3G support over AT&T's 1900 / 850 bands. In other words, feel free to import an unlocked slab when they hit Europe next month. Check out the federal filings yourself at the source link below, or check out our own hands-on coverage right here.
LG lines up Optimus 4X HD for launch in Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, Italy and Poland
While there's already plenty of excitement around other quad-core Android phones, LG will join the party soon when its Optimus 4X HD launches in a few European countries next month. Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, Italy and Poland are all on deck in June, where this latest Optimus variant will bring a 4.7-inch 720p HD IPS LCD, Tegra 3 CPU (benchmarked and seen in white here) and 2,150mAh battery coupled with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. On the software front, LG is touting its ability to take and share notes with "Quick Memo" (as seen in the Optimus Vu, now updated with the ability to include hyperlinks) as well as new "Media Plex" video playback controls. We got our hands all over this one during MWC 2012 a few months ago so until it drops in your neck of the woods, check out our gallery and video for a closer look or the press release after the break.
LeKool kickstarts Star Supremacy closed beta
Star Supremacy's closed beta is officially live. The free-to-play browser-based space war MMO kicked off its testing phase last night, and LeKool Games says the game brings something unique to the crowded F2P market. That something is ship customization. "No two ships will be identical," according to the company's press release. Star Supremacy is a hybrid 4X/multiplayer title set in the distant future, and it features three human factions battling across the stars for control over scarce resources and vast wealth. More info and beta signups are available on the game's official website. [Source: LeKool Games press release]
LG Optimus 4X HD hands-on (video)
The quad-cores have arrived and the first out of the blocks is LG's sequel to its dual-core Optimus 2X. The Korean phone maker has apparently recruited its "best engineers "on this wafer-thin slab of power and it shows; the phone is light and slim. It's taken a detour from the Prada Phone stylings we've seen on the Optimus Vu and L-series, but looks noticeably more mature than last year's efforts and Android's Ice Cream Sandwich is in attendance -- with some tweaks. Our video hands-on and impressions are waiting after the break. Until then, take a 360-degree tour of the device at our gallery below.
Daily iPhone App: Starbase Orion
iOS doesn't really have much in the way of original 4X (so called due to the second letter in the "explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate" gameplay) games. Yes, Civ Revolution is on the platform, but that's not original (and to be honest, it's not the best port). Ascendancy is a quality game, but it's decidedly old-school in how it looks and runs. So when I heard that someone was working on bringing a spiritual successor to Master of Orion to our platform, I was super excited. Now Starbase Orion is here, and it's glorious. It is streamed down a bit from the original space strategy series, but all of the slimming down has been done very smartly, leaving out the tedious parts of the genre, and leaving the meaty goodness. You're still managing an interstellar empire, but it's all done with a few touches at a time, turn by turn, rather than having to micromanage everything with a mouse and keyboard. Master of Orion fans will especially like the game, because it also borrows that series' extensive ship designer and real-time combat portrayals. And Starbase Orion has somehow done all of this while including turn-based multiplayer gameplay with Game Center. Those of you who know what 4X and Master of Orion are all about have probably already headed off to download this one -- it's a dream come true for turn-based strategy fans. The rest of you will probably find a somewhat steep learning curve (and a few bugs, unfortunately, though more updates are on the way), but Starbase Orion is pretty incredible. If you want a custom-made, very deep empire simulation game made specifically for the iOS platform, it's well worth the $4.99.
4X MMORTS Starjack Online goes live
Way back in February, we covered the open beta of Limbo Game Studios' Starjack Online. For the uninitiated, Starjack Online is an MMORTS of a variety known as 4X. RTS players will find themselves familiar with the 4X term, which stands for explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate. In a press release today, the studio announced that the free-to-play title has now gone live, and players are able to 4X the hell out of each other to their hearts' content. The entire game takes place in real-time (as opposed to being turn-based), ensuring that players will be kept on their toes. Almost everything in the game is player-created, as well, so if you'd rather make a killing as a war profiteer, you can outfit other players with their ships and troops. If this sounds like your cup of tea, the game can be downloaded and played for free at the official site.
