Smugglers IV - Doomsday demo released

Matrix Games and Niels Bauer Games have released a playable demo for Smugglers IV - Doomsday. The demo promises an in-depth look at the “fun and challenging” turn-based space-trading game. In addition, a new batch of screenshots are also available for viewing to mark the release of the demo. The demo is available from the Matrix Games downloads page and website including Worth Downloading, Patches-Scrolls, and Gamer’s Hell.

For more information, visit the Matrix Games website at Matrix Games.

Sins of a Solar Empire: Diplomacy pre-order begins

Pre-orders for Ironclad Games and Stardock Entertainment’s upcoming Sins of a Solar Empire micro-expansion, Diplomacy are now being offered. Sins of a Solar Empire: Diplomacy will add a new Diplomacy tech tree, new envoy cruisers, the ability to issue missions to other players, trade pacts, an entirely new relationship system, deadlier pirates and more.

Pre-orders for Sins of a Solar Empire: Diplomacy are available now for $9.95. This micro-expansion will require the full versions of Sins of a Solar Empire and Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment to play.

For more information visit: www.sinsofasolarempire.com

Sins of a Solar Empire Gold

Strategy gamers have high hopes for Stardock’’s Sins of a Solar Empire — a space strategy game that may just break the 4X model to bring something new to the table. I”ll leave that determination to the experts, but strategy fans will soon be able to decide for themselves: The game has gone gold and will be on store shelves courtesy of Stardock on Feb. 4.

Stardock (who know the 4X space strategy genre inside and out) and developer Ironclad worked together for over a year to optimize the game’’s multiplayer and single-player experience for players. For example, multiplayer matches can be saved and resumed later allowing for more flexibility, and single-player games will pit players against human-like AI to provide a deeper challenge, according to Stardock. Other features include the empire tree (which allows players to manage all their ships and planets onscreen at once) and the ability to put bounties on other players to encourage pirates and others to attack them.

Sins of a Solar Empire will be released on Stardock’s digital download service, TotalGaming.net and will be available at most retail outlets in North America; the game will cost $39.95. A collector’s edition from will also be available from TotalGaming.net for $49.95 and includes a CD sound track, a poster and other non-game content.