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.

"Our last expansion, Crusade, was hugely successful," said Stardock CEO Brad Wardell. "Players really responded to the added citizen system, and we're taking that to the next level with galactic politics and more with Intrigue."

This expansion introduces politics and galactic government. Players can assemble a cabinet of officials, then choose one of several different forms of government - theocracy, democracy, oligarchy, monarchy, and more - for their civilization.

"Hiring the best people for the job is critical in any enterprise," said Wardell. "Bringing these elements to Galactic Civilizations III adds a compelling new twist to the gameplay."

Galactic Civilizations III: Intrigue adds several new opportunities for exciting gameplay, including:

• Form your government and hire your cabinet members. Each style of governing has its own advantages and disadvantages and affects the way the player will run their civilization. Your technology, species, and cultural ideology will determine what types of governments are available to choose from. Players will also have the opportunity to appoint a cabinet comprised of their citizens to help customize their civilization and how it will operate. Some forms of government require elections, which means that players will have to keep their populations happy in order to gain all the benefits and bonuses.
• Establish a commonwealth. As the player's empire grows, worlds on the outskirts will want to become independent. By granting these worlds a status of commonwealth, they will be converted into an ally with a favorable disposition and will be inclined to implement player requests on the galactic scene. Thanks to the established AI, these civilizations will operate effectively without too much micromanagement or oversight required.
• Buy, trade, and sell in the Galactic Market. Previously, resources could only be obtained by trading with other civilizations, some of which might have been unwilling to make a deal. Now, players will be able to purchase resources from a galactic market where the prices are determined completely by supply and demand.

Intrigue also adds the Galactic News Network, which will keep players informed of galactic events such as alliances, declarations of war, and more. A global tax rate system and new world types, among other smaller features, will also be added.

"In addition to new features, we're adding a slew of new technologies, planetary improvements, weapons, and ship modules," Wardell said. "The galactic market is important because there are so many new things to research and build."

The Intrigue expansion is available for a special pre-order price of $14.99 (regularly $19.99) through Stardock. The base game Galactic Civilizations III is required to play Intrigue and can be purchased through Stardock and Steam for $29.99.

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.