[529] in comp.os.os2.announce archive
NEW RELEASE: Stardock Systems' Galactic Civilizations 2
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (wardell@ibm.net)
Tue Jan 2 22:48:50 1996
To: os2ann.DISCUSS@bloom-picayune.MIT.EDU
Date: Wed, 3 Jan 1996 02:24:41 GMT
From: wardell@ibm.net
Reply-To: wardell@ibm.net
Submitted by: Brad Wardell (wardell@ibm.net)
Source: Brad Wardell (wardell@ibm.net)
Date received: 1996 January 2
Date posted: 1996 January 2
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Galactic Civilizations 2 Now Available!
Highly anticipated sequel to award winning game arrives!
Tuesday, January 2, 1996
Canton, MI - Stardock Systems announced that Galactic Civilizations 2 began
shipping in volume today. Galactic Civilizations 2 is the second version of
the highly acclaimed strategy game.
"We think that Galactic Civilizations 2 is going to knock people s socks off!"
said Bradley Wardell, President of Stardock Systems, Inc. "The first one had
many of the right elements to be a classic game but the new version adds some
exciting new strategic features as well as state of the art graphics and an
original digital stereo sound track that would give movies a run for their
money."
Galactic Civilizations is a space based strategy game for OS/2. In it, you
must guide mankind while exploring and colonizing a new galaxy. The player
must manage their economy, research new technology, and fight intergalactic
wars with their star fleets. What makes Galactic Civilizations unique is the
fact that it is the only major game of this genre (on any platform) to take
advantage of 'threads'.
Players quickly see the benefits of using the advanced features of a 32bit
multithreaded OS such as OS/2 Warp. Not only do the computer players in
Galactic Civilizations not cheat unlike most games, they play immensely
intelligently. Moreover, the economic engine behind the game also runs in
an independent thread allowing the galaxy to have a complex and powerful
economic model.
"To use an analogy, when you play chess with your friend, you don t shut your
eyes while your friend is thinking of moving his piece on the board. You look
at the board and think of your next move. However, most strategy games on
PC's do just that -- they don t think at all while you are taking your turn.
Now, put the game on a great OS such as OS/2 Warp and your opponents can
'think' about what they are going to do while you are busy moving your pieces.
Now the time between turns is remarkably short and the economic simulation
portion of the game has no perceived performance impact." said Wardell.
The original Galactic Civilizations was acclaimed by players and reviewers.
OS/2 Magazine awarded it the 1995 Editor s Choice Award and I-PC Games awarded
it "Best Strategy Game" and edging out popular DOS and Windows games to win
"Game of the Year".
For players, Galactic Civilizations 2 adds features such as governors that
manage your star system resources for you, star ship ranges which allow
empires to be more isolated from one another, hooks for future internet play,
and many other requested features.
For retailers, Stardock contracted F.J. Fisher Communications, Inc. to
supervise and design the packaging to ensure that the game sells itself on
store shelves. Moreover, Stardock has commited to backing Galactic
Civilizations 2 with the largest marketing budget ever seen for an OS/2
consumer product.
Galactic Civilizations 2 can be found at resellers in the USA such as
Indelible Blue (1-800-776-8284), Kiyo Design, Computer Cosmos/2, and
OS+Resource. Stardock expects it to appear in most retail outlets in the
coming weeks. You can also obtain it from Stardock Systems at 313-453-0328.
A complete list of OS/2 software resellers is available on Stardock's world
wide web site.
Galactic Civilizations lists for $59.95. A $29.95 upgrade price is in effect
until February 1st. It requires OS/2 2.1 or later, and a double speed CD ROM.
Stardock can be reached at 313/453-0328, FAX 313/453-1480,
email stardock@aol.com, WWW:http://oeonline.com/~stardock.
