Star Lords renamed to Lords of the Black Sun, goes beta - new trailer released

[Martok]

Announcement

Haarlem, The Netherlands, 23 April 2014 – Having finalised their exhaustive search of the SCI-FI book and entertainment sector, STAR LORDS developer Arkavi Studios discovered a comic book with a very similar title. In order to avoid any possible confusion in the market, Arkavi Studios have opted to change their 4x PC strategy game´s name to LORDS OF THE BLACK SUN. This name change coincides with the game entering Beta-stage on Steam's Early Access program today.


Mike Domingues from Arkavi Studios says: "We at Arkavi Studios are very happy to see Lords of the Black Sun reach this new stage of development. We've been working hard and the community has been incredibly useful since we went into Early Access, and for that we want to thank everyone involved. However, we still have a long road ahead of us and we hope to continue having the community by our side, helping us make the great space strategy title everyone wants and expects."


Important Beta update notes:
-    Improved AI: Now the AI fully uses the ship design component and its latest additions, designing more powerful ships and better managing its military forces making it a significantly tougher opponent.
-    Major bug fixes and fixed some crashes and stability issues. Bug and crash fixes include the corrupted save files bug and the Trade Routes menu crash.
-    Multiplayer is now being tested internally. While it's not available in this first beta release, it will be included as soon as we are confident about its state.
-    Added revamped Light and Medium Draakian ships models.

[Jarhead0331]

Looks like it has come a long way.  The trailer definitely has me interested.

[Anguille]

Excellent....i know i am going to get it but wait for boxed released (the ones from Iceberg come with a printed manual).

[tgb]

I bought into this a couple of years ago and haven't looked at it since Steam first got it.  That trailer says it may just be time for another peek.

[Jarhead0331]

I bought into this a couple of years ago and haven't looked at it since Steam first got it.  That trailer says it may just be time for another peek.

Please do, and then Sound off!

[bbmike]

I really want to be excited for this game but the last cluster of space 4x games makes it impossible.  :-\

[Nefaro]

They probably didn't want to get the Star Lord name mixed up with this upcoming flick.

[skeptical.platypus]

Gonna have to make sure Soundgarden's queued up if I play this.

[mikeck]

I would have one question for anyone who has played this game at all "why would I want to play this instead of distant worlds" ? that's not to say that I wouldn't, I'm just curious before I spend money on this if it provides anything the distant worlds doesn't other than turn-based combat.

[vyshka]

Was "Star Lords" given that name to pay respects to Master of Orion? I can't believe they wouldn't have known that was the original name of the prototype that Steve Barcia sold Microprose on. Kids these days, not knowing their history.

[Jarhead0331]

I would have one question for anyone who has played this game at all "why would I want to play this instead of distant worlds" ? that's not to say that I wouldn't, I'm just curious before I spend money on this if it provides anything the distant worlds doesn't other than turn-based combat.

I haven't played it, but right off the bat, I'd think maybe because combat is turn-based, as opposed to real time in DW?

[mikeck]

I would have one question for anyone who has played this game at all "why would I want to play this instead of distant worlds" ? that's not to say that I wouldn't, I'm just curious before I spend money on this if it provides anything the distant worlds doesn't other than turn-based combat.

I haven't played it, but right off the bat, I'd think maybe because combat is turn-based, as opposed to real time in DW?

I am hoping for more depth in planetary faculties and construction

[tgb]

I would have one question for anyone who has played this game at all "why would I want to play this instead of distant worlds" ?

You wouldn't

I spent a little time with LotBS, and the title should be My First 4x.  Calling it a dumbed-down GalCiv clone is insulting to GlaCiv, Brad, Island Dog, and anyone who has ever, or will ever, work for Stardock.

Simplistic and generic.  Avoid at all costs.

[Jarhead0331]

I would have one question for anyone who has played this game at all "why would I want to play this instead of distant worlds" ?

You wouldn't

I spent a little time with LotBS, and the title should be My First 4x.  Calling it a dumbed-down GalCiv clone is insulting to GlaCiv, Brad, Island Dog, and anyone who has ever, or will ever, work for Stardock.

Simplistic and generic.  Avoid at all costs.

This may be a bit harsh of a sentiment for a game that is not feature complete and that has not reached gold status. I haven't played much yet, but in the time I have played, I see the making of a game with some interesting elements. For instance, i think the 3d map is nice and has a lot of potential. Additionally, there appear to be some unique social issues with respect to colony development and management. Certainly, if done right, the turn based hex map combat could work really well and set this title apart.  However, I also see what tgb is saying about generic simplicity. For instance, I'm horrified by the simplicity of ship design. There seems to be only one hull design for each class of ship. Moreover, the designs only permit you to add only limited modules. For instance, a capital class hull only has one slot for engines, one slot for armor, four slots for weapons and only one special. This won't permit much variety at all.  Perhaps even more frightening, there are only two types of weapons...beam and missile. When I read this I was mortified. I hope this an area that the developers will explore improving.

Anyway, there are so many good 4x options out there that a game really has to shine if it's  going to survive in the crowded genre. I have concerns about this game, but it may still prove to offer some enjoyment yet.   

[mikeck]

I upgraded to the alpha for elite which was lots of $$$$. My budget is a bit to tight to spend on anymore "half-games" or games with "potential". I think I will wait and just play DW until it gets finished