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.
Mountain Man Feb 15, 2018
He speaks for all of us.
Kimyrielle Feb 15, 2018
Quoting: Mountain Man"SteamOS didn't turn out to be what we all hoped."
He speaks for all of us.
Seriously. Can somebody message that Paradox quote to Gabe?
Quoting: libgradevThis is what I find interesting though, you're not forced to buy the DLC, you can likely buy the base game and be content with the many hours it would bring you. Once it feels stale, pick up one the major DLC and so on. Paradox strategy games are generally full of content to keep you busy without expansions.Quoting: liamdaweQuoting: libgradevI think their approach is one of the best personally.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'.
They have seriously long-term support for their games, more so than the vast majority of developers. Pushing out DLC (that is not required) enables them to continue getting funds for each team working on each game, plus they always do a free content patch with each DLC.
Totally appreciate the support Paradox has given to the Linux gaming scene.
I've got very limited time to play a game nowadays (I appreciate your job allows the freedom to re-visit titles) I'm fortunate to get a single visit! I don't want to buy thinking there is likely to be 5+, game play changing, additions to the content.
Quoting: liamdaweThis is what I find interesting though, you're not forced to buy the DLC, you can likely buy the base game and be content with the many hours it would bring you. Once it feels stale, pick up one the major DLC and so on. Paradox strategy games are generally full of content to keep you busy without expansions.
True, you're not, but from the article: "I've thought for too long the combat in Stellaris was quite lacking". I'd just rather play a 'functionally' complete game once (either with/without ~3 content expansions). The model often used here just feels like too much of a guessing game personally.
I do appreciate the flexibility Paradox's approach affords though - for myself (and possibly others in my position) it just doesn't sit quite right :)
Philadelphus Feb 15, 2018
Quoting: KimyrielleJust bought three DLC packs I didn't yet have, too. Just because.I'm picking up the Humanoid Species Pack which I wasn't interested in at all previously just because, too. And pre-ordering Apocalypse. (If they'll let me; I'm getting a message saying “We're currently unable to process any payments from your region.”) :(
Quoting: elbuglione1/2 Million active Linux users only on Steam.. .how many active users are enough to consider Linux a viable market???FYI: 0.41% from approx 280M Steam total users is more that 1/2M active Linux accounts ;)
(it is somewhere around 1.1M to 1.2M to be more specific).
St.
Quoting: libgradevQuoting: liamdaweThis is what I find interesting though, you're not forced to buy the DLC, you can likely buy the base game and be content with the many hours it would bring you. Once it feels stale, pick up one the major DLC and so on. Paradox strategy games are generally full of content to keep you busy without expansions.
True, you're not, but from the article: "I've thought for too long the combat in Stellaris was quite lacking". I'd just rather play a 'functionally' complete game once (either with/without ~3 content expansions). The model often used here just feels like too much of a guessing game personally.
I do appreciate the flexibility Paradox's approach affords though - for myself (and possibly others in my position) it just doesn't sit quite right :)
I think most of the actual gameplay changes/enhancements that accompany a DLC do get rolled into the main game, though. So if I don't buy Apocalypse I won't get the planetbusters or the huge flagships but I will still get the Cherryh rule changes, not so? So if the rule changes improve combat I get my improved combat, and if I buy the game after Apocalypse comes out I will be buying a version of the game with the improved combat.
Quoting: liamdaweWell Cities Skylines is made by Colossal Order Ltd. and it's only published by Paradox Interactive (again, not be confused with the Paradox studio). A lot of times, the developer can be the one making the platform decisions, not the publisher.
In the case of Cities, it's a Unity game, so they didn't exactly need to re-work tons of Linux.
I believe it's even more confusing, if I remember the podcast details correctly, as Cities Skylines is developed by Colossal Order, and published by Paradox Interactive, but Paradox actually owns the intellectual property to Cities.
Paradox likes to retain IP where possible and approaches developers directly to work for them if they think they have the right capabilities for an idea. I think it was Cities where this happened. Not sure on Surviving Mars or Battletech.
Crazy Penguin Feb 16, 2018
Quoting: Alm888Quoting: UltraAltesBrotParadox games are DRM free, see here.
Sorry, but I see Steam, Steam and Steam in the link and as we all know Steam does not allow game downloads without its DRM client (and needless to say neither of the three games interests me). I have nothing against Paradox personally (even brought Tyranny on GOG, which shows, they can do DRM-free when they want to).
I'll start using Steam the first minute Valve removes its DRM-client (or makes it optional).
You got it completely wrong. Yes, you need the client to download the games, BUT after that you can play the Paradox Games and lots of other games without Steam. You can backup and copy it onto many computer as you like. NO DRM is stopping you!!!
Also no developer or publisher is forced to use the SteamDRM, so it is optional already!
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