If you’ve spent any amount of time playing the Galactic Civilizations series, you probably recognize these guys: The Drengin have a long and terrifying history within the game series. Known especially for their cruelty, these galactic tyrants aren’t exactly beloved by the local population. However, the local population is beloved by the Drengin…and I do mean that in the most twisted sort of way possible. Throughout centuries of conquering worl...

In case you weren’t aware, Stardock has been around for a minute or two. And by “a minute or two,” I mean since 1991! Throughout the years, we have made tons of software and plenty of games. It’s true that as time goes on and technology improves, games become outdated - but that doesn’t mean they’re not still enjoyable. I personally go back and play 1990’s T he Secret of Monkey Island all the time and it still brings me the same amount of joy ...

At this point it should be no secret, but we love dogs here at Stardock. Honestly, we don’t discriminate; we pretty much love all animals, and the ecosystem surrounding our office is inhabited by feral kitties, geese, snapping turtles, groundhogs, and dozens of other critters that we do our best to live peacefully with. Still, there’s nothing quite like the wag of a dog’s tail or the excitement they exude when you walk through the door. A few months back, we al...

The Iconians never saw it coming. Their great creation, the Yor, turned on them the moment they gained sentience. Manipulated by the Dread Lords, the Yor proceeded to systematically wipe out the entirety of the Iconian homeworld, leaving nothing but charred corpses and barren wastelands in their wake. Since that day, whether through further instructions from the Dread Lords or by their own cold and logical calculations, the Yor have become aggressively xenophobic. Disgusted by ...

One of the cornerstones of the Galactic Civilizations series has always been customization. From specifying the size of your map and the density of planets, to crafting custom vessels, to creating your own complete civilizations, the game has something for everyone.  Creating a custom civilization is easy with the Civilization Builder! I’m going to walk you through the steps and the options - there are lots! - that you have when you decide to try it out.  Getti...

Trade is what makes the galaxy go ‘round - that’s what the members of the Corporate Sector believe, anyway. Their happiness and satisfaction is intrinsically tied to the amount of credits in their coffers; the more, the better.  The Corporate Sector is ruled by a number of multi-planet corporations with a singular goal in mind: make money. Clearly, the adage “more money, more problems” doesn’t concern them in the slightest. To this end, when you pl...

For this week’s blog, I’m going to introduce you to the Dregin Empire, but I feel like I should be clear on one thing: when they say “nice to meet you,” they mean M-E-A-T . The Drengin are one of the galaxy’s older civilizations and they are famous for their depraved - and disturbingly creative - cruelty. Exceedingly clever and vicious, there are few beings in the galaxy who have met a Drengin and lived to tell the tale. Known for their habit ...

“Morality is a construct, created and enforced by those who are too short-sighted to see more than one possibility.” - Some Xeloxi, probably Perhaps one of the most difficult civilizations to play, The Xeloxi are all about crime - and I mean this literally. They find other civilizations’ systems of laws to be quaint and misguided, as well as incredibly boring - their way of life is much more exciting and profitable, if you know how to exploit it. Outsider...

I love Star Wars. If you know me, you're rolling your eyes right now and thinking "well  there's a big shocker, Kristy." If you don't know me, you're probably either like "Oh, that's nice," or "NEEERDDDD" - frankly, both sentiments are valid. Prior to the pandemic, I brought in themed treats for May the 4th every year. Each time, I would raise the bar and see if I could top what I did the year previous. I may have gone a  bit  overboard in doing so this year - but in my def...

One of the most popular features in any of our Galactic Civilizations games is the Ship Designer. Here at Stardock, we believe in supporting modders, and this feature is just one of the ways we do that. My favorite thing about the Ship Designer is that you don’t have to be an artist in order to use it. If you like playing with LEGOs, then this will work out great for you - the pieces snap easily into place, and re-sizing and adjusting is a breeze! When you first open the ...

A proud and long-lived people, the Arceans are one of the oldest races in the galaxy. They are the reason the Terrans gained access to Hyperdrive technology and started an arms war in the first place. In a roundabout way, it could be argued that the Arceans were responsible for their own salvation when the Terran Alliance freed them from the tyranny of the Drengin Empire. The Arceans weren’t left with many assets following their liberation, but they have managed to finally reg...

Beware, for in the depths of space - perhaps even as close as your own backyard - lurks a terror known as the Festron Hunt. While other species search for idyllic worlds to cultivate and grow and thrive, the Festron prefer worlds that are already occupied with a plethora of potential hosts for their young. They’re every bit as terrifying as they sound. Aggressive and brutal, the Festron view other species as little more than prey to be hunted and cultivated as hosts for ...

There are quite a few mysteries lurking out in the depths of space, and among them are a civilization of curious creatures known only as the Navigators. The Navigators have been space-farers for so long that knowledge of their true homeworld has been lost to history. Until recently, they have viewed other worlds as little more than meager platforms from which to build their ships and send themselves further out into the great unknown. Recently, though, things have changed...and no o...

Faith. Unity. Devotion.  These ideals make up the core of the Krynn Syndicate and all that they believe. A somewhat unique civilization, the Krynn are comprised of a variety of species who all find themselves united by a shared religion.  Where the might of the Krynn Syndicate really shines is with its citizens, who can come from anywhere. Their diversity - which, ironically, is found amid their unity - provides them with many advantages since they can make use of the...

In the darker parts of the galaxy, hidden deep within the shadows and whispering words of deceit, are the Drath. You’d best be careful, because out here… there be dragons. New to Galactic Civilizations IV, the Drath are an ancient race of mysterious creatures who are most at home in the shadows. Masters of subterfuge and manipulation, they are rumored to be the source behind nearly every major conflict in the galaxy - a rumor that is entirely possible they spread and pe...