Sword of the Stars is a breakthrough Space Strategy game that seeks to reinvigorate the sub-genre. Players will explore planets, manage their empire and research new technology.

Sword of the Stars provides quick, intuitive play, state-of-the-art graphics and tactical combat that make the game instantly involving and rewardingly fun without forcing you to learn difficult strategies.

Here are some key features of "Sword of the Stars":

· A return to the action-packed roots of the 4X genre with some new twists, including a 3D starmap and real-time combat resolution in a 3D environment!
· 4 races - Human, Hiver, Tarkas and Liir - each with technology advantages and disadvantages.
· Each race has a unique mode of transport between star systems, creating very different styles of play, depending on what race you choose to control.
· Slider bar controls and simplified interface to avoid the confusion of other games without sacrificing depth of gameplay.
· Over 150 distinct technologies to research on a dynamic tech tree that changes from game to game. While the core technology of the tree is consistent, certain offshoots are random from game to game. There is no perfect path up the tech tree to memorize and exploit, because the path keeps changing!
· New technology reflected in detailed ship models, weapons and combat effects. Over 40 weapons from six different weapon classes, in various size classes, from point defence, turrets, and massive spinal mounts!
· Players can design and build ships from three size classes - Destroyer, Cruiser, and Dreadnought - by mixing and matching ship sections (command, mission, and engines), then outfitting them with armour and weapons to suit their preference.
· Up to 8 players can play against the AI and one another over LAN or online.
· Choose from a variety of scenario campaigns to play alone or with friends, each adding more colour and depth to the Sword of the Stars universe.


What's New in This Release:

· Added new badges, including winners from the badge contest!
· New Tournament scenario
· New teamplay set-up option for any custom map
· New weapon range display added to combat
· Fleet management and organization additions
· New menace encounter
· AI behaviour enhancements
· Loading and turn time optimization
· Out Of Character chat in-game for those without Xfire
· In-game effects improvements
· New user interface additions