The Galactic Civilizations Universe Expands

Montreal, Canada. May 21, 2003 Publisher Strategy First and developer Stardock announced today that a FREE expansion pack for their space strategy hit Galactic Civilizations is coming this summer!

“We are so thankful to the game’s loyal fan base and wanted to offer everyone something new to jump into,” says Brad Wardell, Project Lead on Galactic Civilizations at Stardock. “This expansion pack is an incredible value and we’re giving it away for free, so hopefully all you gamers out there will try it out and enjoy it.”

Galactic Civilizations is the award-winning 4X space strategy game that has taken the industry by storm since its release in March 2003. In Galactic Civilizations, the year is 2178 and the galaxy is evolving at an alarming pace. Years ago, human scientists introduced a new technology, the “Hyper-drive”, which vastly improved interstellar travel, but instead of forging closer bonds throughout the galaxy, communication between civilizations has ground to a halt. Colonization and a battle for supremacy have become the primary goals…Players will lead humanity in a struggle to dominate the galaxy using whatever means necessary: technological advancements, economic might, cultural expansion or military prowess.

The new expansion pack will include:

· Integrated Technology Navigator (it makes the tech tree much easier to understand)

· Whole slew of new technologies

· New minor race: The Arnor

· New anomalies

· New linked events

· Rally points (ship can be set to leave orbit and head to a central point, making it easier to create fleets)

· A host of small changes to enhance replayability.

· New difficulty level: Nightmare

· A ton of new United Planets resolutions

· New game ending: Aliens evolve beyond mortality

· New graphics on the main screen for stars (make the graphics look less "Flat")

The Galactic Civilizations expansion pack will be available this summer through Stardock Central. To find out more about Stardock Central and its benefits to players, please follow this link:

About Stardock

About Strategy First

Strategy First Inc. is a leading developer and worldwide publisher of entertainment software for the PC. Founded in 1990, the company has grown rapidly, publishing major games in the industry and simultaneously developing its own in-house titles such as O.R.B., Disciples II, and Nexagon: Deathmatch. After winning numerous awards for games such as Disciples: Sacred Lands, Europa Universalis, Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns and Steel Beasts, Strategy First continues to push the gaming envelope with its own groundbreaking titles, while maintaining its reputation as a unique alternative for independent developers seeking to market their games to a worldwide audience.