Galactic Civilizations III is the definitive 4X space strategy game, coming exclusively to 64-bit PCs. Galactic Civilizations III stays true to the core mechanics while adding more depth and options for players to create their own immortal legacy as rulers of the galaxy. As an absolute ruler in Galactic Civilizations III, the choices you make shape your empire as it inevitably enters into cultural, trade, diplomatic, ideological, and military conflicts with your neighbors. Every empire has multiple paths of victory to pursue. Forging an empire so culturally influential that rival worlds defect to your cause is perfectly viable, so long as you can keep their dropships from landing on your core worlds through literal defenses or soft-power diplomatic maneuvers.

Galactic Civilizations III puts players in charge of one of several fantastical sci-fi races (including 23rd-century humans) about to begin interstellar colonization. Spreading your empire throughout the galaxy, unlocking the secrets of creation through radical scientific research, and building massive fleets of starships to defend your way of life is only the beginning.

As the age of expansion ends and the age of war dawns, you must navigate the waves of conflict crashing through the galaxy. Diplomatic channels may secure your borders, cultural imperialism might expand them peacefully, or you could do things the old-fashioned way through military conquest. Finally, the age of transcendence brings the struggle for galactic dominance to a fever pitch as mighty empires bring titanic forces to bear in the race for final victory.

The new version provides a host of improvements and updates across the board but probably most notable is the inclusion of an AI-based supreme commander system to oversee each computer player.

"One of the advantages Galactic Civilizations III has is its new 64-bit, core-neutral game engine," said Brad Wardell, CEO of Stardock Entertainment. "Now that most PC gamers have at least 4 CPU cores, we took the opportunity to develop a semi-genetic algorithm based AI that allows the computer players to play much like a human being would."

The Galactic Civilizations series has always been known for its good computer opponents. With the addition of an asynchronous "supreme commander" AI observing and sending priorities for computer empires, players have noticed the AI plays more intelligently and more human-like.

"While we have continued to make additions to create a more enjoyable Galactic Civilizations experience for Internet multiplayer players, we know that most people play against the computer and we really wanted them to feel like their opponent was...well, like a human," said Wardell.

Other improvements to version 2.8 include additional balance updates to help players play as a "tall" empire as well as a "wide" empire.

"Players have noticed that we've been doing a lot of balance updates this past year," said Wardell. "The driving motivation for this is to ensure that there are many viable strategic choices. History has shown that small, well-run nation states can change the world. Similarly, we want to ensure that players who choose to play small empires have the opportunity to tilt the balance of the galaxy."

Another focus of the new update has been in the ongoing drive to make the game more approachable without sacrificing its celebrated depth. Version 2.8 includes a number of new UI elements to streamline gameplay, additional in-game descriptions, and more.

"Some of these changes are just UI enhancements, like moving rarely used features to a different place," said Wardell. Others involve a change in gameplay that is more intuitive. For example, we modified how defense works to be more intuitive and satisfying. Enemy weapons will slowly deplete your defenses more slowly making defenses more worthwhile."

Galactic Civilizations III is available on Steam or through Stardock for $29.99. The Crusade expansion retails for $19.99 and is also on Steam or through Stardock.

Galactic Civilizations III gives players far more detail in the textures, models, and overall look of everything from the planets they colonize to the fleets they command. New interstellar terrain elements on the hex-based map like black holes and mysterious Precursor relics change the way players explore the galaxy. A completely overhauled ship builder puts nearly every element of starship design in players’ hands, while the new resource system creates fresh opportunities to explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate.

Key Features:

• Incomparable scale: 64-bit architecture allows players to experience unprecedented graphical fidelity and variety, an entirely new level of scale, and opens the door for modders to add a virtually unlimited amount of content to the game.
• Completely redesigned ship builder: An overhauled ship builder puts nearly every element of starship design in players’ hands.
• All-new map features: Interstellar terrain from black holes to enigmatic Precursor relics change the way players explore the map and build their economies.
• Greater political intrigue. The all-new diplomacy system tests players’ cultural, ideological and diplomatic skills as they pursue the many non-military routes to victory.
• Multiplayer: For the first time, Galactic Civilizations players will be able to compete against each other via the Internet.