Stellaris: Apocalypse [Steam] is set to be a pretty big expansion, with lots of goodies to come for Stellaris fans. It's releasing soon, so Paradox has an overview video up.
As a reminder, it will release on February 22nd. As usual for Paradox games, it will also see a big patch release full of fixes and new features free for existing owners.
Without further ramblings, here's their new overview video:
Direct Link
I honestly can't wait to start blowing up planets, time for my Empire to rule the stars. I've thought for too long the combat in Stellaris was quite lacking, so it's pleasing to see it become the focus for this expansion.
Also, while we're on the subject of Paradox, it seems one person at Paradox Interactive (the publisher, not to be confused with the actual developer, Paradox Development Studio) noticed a decline in Linux sales. Would be a good time to show them it's worth continuing to support us. Here's what they said on Twitter:
[…] Sadly Linux is less than a percent of the sales and keeps dwindling. SteamOS didn't turn out to be what we all hoped. The Linux community needs to grow or spend more to stay viable.
It's a little disconcerting to read, but hopefully they will continue to support Linux gaming for some time. Paradox Interactive do publish a bunch of games that don't support Linux, but perhaps if they see an improvement in future more of their published games (in addition to games directly from Paradox Development Studio, like Stellaris) may see Linux support. A number of their games do cater to a niche, so perhaps their games just aren't as popular as I thought they would be with Linux gamers. I've asked if they can share any specific data about it, so hopefully we can talk about that more in future.
Ps. I realise it can be confusing with the publisher and developer both starting with "Paradox", but they are different. The article text was adjusted after publishing to make it much clearer.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Kimyrielle Feb 15, 2018
Quoting: Purple Library GuyI've never quite understood the big problem with Steam "DRM". As far as I can tell, I can play my games in offline mode without an internet connection. So, like, the games will play without phoning home. So what's the problem?
As I said above, it's an ideology for them. The ONLY time when Steam's DRM is actually getting in people's way is when they want to sell their games to another person, which would normally be legit, but is made impossible by Steam's DRM. The fun thing is that close to 100% of the time there is no solid desire to sell off used (=older) games, because old games tend to be dirt cheap on Steam anyway (sales...), so there is no real market for second-hand games.
I -swear- that a good approximation to 100% of the "Steam is so evil because DRM" crowd are in fact utter hypocrites that tolerate DRM anywhere but on Linux - but otherwise happily buy smartphones, gaming consoles, streaming or cable TV subscriptions, movies and E-Books. None of which come DRM free.
Quoting: LeopardSo as a perspective of a dev ; why should i put effort for a Linux version? You can use Linux and rant about it but eventually you're buying them on Windows.
Spot-on!
BabaoWhisky Feb 15, 2018
Quoting: liamdawePersonally, I think the anti-Valve train needs to go back in the station for a while.
So you think that we will have still Paradox games in the future even with this sad message on Twitter ?
Quoting: Alm888Yeah, this is what every extremist believes right? I haven't found a case in history where that ever turned out positive..Quoting: KimyrielleIn other words, yes, I think you're a part of the problem here.No, I am part of the solution! :D
Kimyrielle Feb 15, 2018
Quoting: Alm888snip
I can totally accept not being able to play PUBG, or EA/Ubi games. I consider them "platform exclusive" games that just aren't available for my platform. That's fine. What I don't (want to) accept is having no AAA games at all. As in zero, nada, nothing.
We -have- AAA games. The selection could be greater, sure, but we get enough AAA games that we don't -need- to boot Windows 100% of the time when we're in the mood for playing a game.
Yet.
But with your attitude, this picture might change soon enough, and it won't be only PUBG that makes you boot Windows (I hope you -never- use that either btw. - it's got built in DRM!). Paradox is currently supplying a very healthy portion of all AAA games released to Linux. And if they go, others might follow quickly.
Then it will be back to Tux Racer and cheap Indie games.
Well, for you that is.
Since I am not a knuckleheaded ideologist, I still have other options. WINE being one of them. Dual-booting the other. I'd -very- much prefer to see AAA games continue to being released natively on Linux, but apparently people like you are working really hard on putting an end to what might be remembered as the time when Linux got good games for a brief period in history.
buenaventura Feb 15, 2018
Quoting: jensI'm not sure disagreeing with one person with "extreme" views on one topic is a valid reason to claim the median between opposing views is the correct answer in all cases without regard for specifics. Maybe the right answer would have been for Stalin to compromise and only kill off half as many people? Perhaps the Americans should only have napalmed half of Vietnam? Maybe we should be working with a theory of the solar system in which the Earth and the Sun switch off which one is at the centre every leap year, instead of accepting those radical Galilean ideas whole hog.Quoting: Alm888Yeah, this is what every extremist believes right? I haven't found a case in history where that ever turned out positive..Quoting: KimyrielleIn other words, yes, I think you're a part of the problem here.No, I am part of the solution! :D
When the radicals turn out to be right, their thesis stops being radical and becomes received wisdom, and so it doesn't occur to anybody to consider it a "case in history" in which extremists were right.
Quoting: buenaventuraso Paradox, expect me to buy some DLC real soon!
I don't think their approach to DLC helps them personally... I own Stellaris but I've held fire on buying the DLC as they *just keep coming* and this seems to be a recurring theme...
For these titles I tend to wait for a 'collector's edition'.
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