14 DAY TRIAL // Stellaris is one of the most interesting titles that Paradox Development Studio has ever created because it takes the grand strategy ideas that have long driven the company and applies them to a science fiction setting and the pre-order bonuses associated with the game reflect this shift.
Those who are willing to pay for the title early will get their names unto a USB drive that the company will then launch into the upper atmosphere, as close to space as possible without hitching a ride on one of the big rockets used by the government or by specialized companies.
Paradox states, "A USB drive filled with the names of all pre-order participants will be attached to a weather balloon and launched into the upper stratosphere to let drive-by extraterrestrials know who among us are the most enthusiastic to explore space and meet new friends."
Pre-orders for Stellaris can target the standard edition or the more extensive Nova version, which comes complete with a 140-minute digital soundtrack and an exclusive piece of DLC, called Creatures of the Void, which offers access to five new aliens created by the community, named Hydra/Xenomorph, Evil Porcupine, Dinosaur Bird, Shadowy Anthropoid, and Fungoid Infected Mammalian.
The Galaxy Edition comes with even more content
All the Nova edition bonuses are featured and players who want Stellaris also receive a book that offers details on art and design, the Infinite Frontiers novel as an ebook and a special digital wallpaper that has been signed by the development team.
Music created by composer Andreas Walkdetoft will also be offered as ringtones for those who place a pre-order.
Stellaris will allow gamers to create their custom civilization and then try to explore and dominate space, choosing how they want to interact with the aliens that they find and whether they want to focus on internal harmony and peace, extensive research or bloody conquest.
The title is designed to appeal to those who have played Crusader Kings II or Europa Universalis IV and want a more open experience that introduces more surprises than history can.
Paradox says that it is creating a complex empire management system and that internal pressure can be as difficult to deal with as threats from powerful enemies, with alliances and federations introduced to create complex political situations that a player needs to use to dominate the galaxy.
Stellaris will be launched on May 9 and can be played exclusively on the PC.
