We have first hand information from Iceberg Interactive, StarDrive’s publisher, confirming that contrary to previous expectations StarDrive will not open for pre-orders on Steam this year but only in the beginning of 2013, probably mid-January. “The beta will not be this year. We will probably release it a couple of weeks after the new year.” ~Erik Schreuder (Iceberg Interactive CEO).
StarDrive is a real-time space 4X game being developed by Daniel DiCicco from Zero Sum Games. StarDrive has all the traditional empire building features you would expect to find in a space 4X game, but it’s main and distinguished features include highly modular and detailed ship design, tactical ground combat (something rarely seen in space 4X games these days), rich diplomacy features and the ability to control any ship you want in an arcade “WASD” kind of way. The art assets are also shaping up very nicely with dynamic diplomacy scenes, beautifully rendered planets and stars, and very nice looking space combat. Check our StarDrive hands-on preview for more information.
I was in Holland this last Monday to cover Daniel DiCicco’s StarDrive demo presentation to Iceberg Interactive. So, expect an interview with Dan to pop here very soon, as for an interview with Erik Schreuder, Iceberg Interactive’s CEO. So, stay tuned for juicy new details on StarDrive to come live really soon :)
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While I’m mildly bummed I won’t get to take StarDrive for a spin this Christmas, I’m glad Iceberg is willing delay the game’s (and beta’s) release if Dan needs more time to iron things out. Better that, than releasing an unfinished product prematurely!
Glad to know they’re aiming for Beta soon. I’ve purchased the Desura Alpha and I like what I see. :)
Glad you like it!
Oh, and Adam! I know we have presented ourselves with a number zero in our logo, but we are officially “Zero Sum Game” with all letters. Just fyi!
Fixed :)
Err….Zero Sum Games! Plural!
Hi ZSG. Hope you guys gave out some details on just how your AI is an improvement over Civ V’s.
Cool. What with me having just purchased the ‘Distant Worlds’ suite, that game should keep me busy until StarDrive is released. Two things that really appeal to me about Stardrive are 1) being able to fully customize your faction, physically as well as the attributes (maybe I’ll create the Securan Matriarchy lol), and 2) the good looking ships and fleet actions (vaguely reminiscent of Homeworld and Star Wars: Empires at War). Hopefully the empire management features in the game will be as engaging as those found in Distant Worlds. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
One thing I’ve noticed though concerning open beta releases. I played the beta of Fallen Enchantress quite a bit, and by the time the full game was released I was pretty well tired of it. Having said that, I may hold off on StarDrive until the official release.
Uugghhh! When did Dan DiCicco sign with Iceberg Interactive? I’ve had nothing but HORRIBLE customer service experiences and issues with them and will buy nothing from them directly again. Iceberg Interactive also has no distribution chain in the USA, and since Dan is an American developer, I’m sure that will be important to him.
Dan, if you get a chance to read this – I hope you are planning to find a homeland alternative for those who are uncomfortable purchasing from a foreign company. Plus, the increase of price due to exchange rates, from Euros to Dollars, and all the added tariffs and international shipping fees is a turnoff to many, including me.
You will be able to purchase StarDrive on Steam and other digital portals in US dollars from anywhere in the world.
Dan,
After similar bad experiences with Steam (and having to hire an attorney to get my money back from them for selling me a faulty product), I no longer do business with Steam. Will you be offering your product in CD/DVD form for those that prefer this type of media when buying and playing games?
PS: You do know that Steam has an “F” rating with the Better Business Bureau with over 500 complaints against them, right?
Sly, from your posts here not only do you appear xenophobic but also you are so anal you were almost-certainly toilet-trained at gunpoint.
Although I share your concern that Steam is a tool of Evil, the sky will not fall if there is no boxed version in the USA.
Come on people, stay cool.
Haha…no more anal than you trying to “school” Neogen about how to spell the word “ancient”. I’m sure they caught that without you having to rub their face in it. It seems that you only came online to pick a fight. I brought legitimate concerns to the discussion in a respectful and polite fashion. If you have nothing nice to say, then SHUT IT! I don’t take kindly to cheap swipes just because you don’t agree with my assessment of a situation.
I feel your pain man as regards Steam. Two years ago I learned the hard way never to change your e-mail address. Also, like everyone else nowadays, Steam’s customer service is all but non-existent. I am not at all surprised by the ‘F’ rating. Having said that, I think it is a very convenient service, but you have to tread carefully when using it.
Steam is a hugely important digital portal. It sucks that you have had a bad experience with them. Personally I have had nothing but good experiences. We will be offering a retail box but this will only be sold in Europe unless demand in the US exceeds expectations. It is unlikely for that to happen.
However, we will be on Desura, Gamersgate, things like that. So you will not be required to do business with Steam if you do not wish to.
It is truly unfortunate that StarDrive will not be available to your fellow Americans in the physical CD/DVD format. Best of luck with your first game.
I would also add sort of half-joking and half-seriously that to me Steam represents the Big Brother/New World Order/Borg Collective of the gaming world. I’m so glad that there are rival services out there like Desura and Gamersgate. ;o)
There is a lot of experience behind the steam. They experienced every problem in 10 years. So, I prefer buying games from steam. I travel too much and It is easy way to get the games whenever I want to play it.
Also, Stardrive is the most anticipated 4x game. Please dont make it another Legend of Pegasus scandal : )
Zero, please add tons of ship modules to the game. It is key factor of tactical section.
And, I want to ask that, is it possible that we can build fighter carriers in the game or just destroyers, cruisers and battleships?
To be fair, there is one thing I really, really like about Steam. That is, it makes game modding a heck of a lot easier. I recall when playing the Fallout games (outside of Steam) I used a mod manager, and although I learned a lot about game programming in the process, it really was kind of a pain in the arse at times as well as time-consuming.