http://www.matrixgames.com/products/515/details/Distant.Worlds.-.Universe

Now this is a game that needs to come to GOG . . . the only problem is it uses a Serial number, but I've been informed there is another game on here (GOG) that uses a Serial number . . . .

This game just released today at the above posted site, and will be available on Steam within the next couple of hours.


Like Space 4X games (like MoOx, Gal Civ, Space Empires, etc.)?

This game beats them all hands down, and I love the MoOx series.

There are tons of LP videos on earlier versions of this game.
Universe is essentially the GOLD/GOTY version, only everything's updated to the newest game Engine/performance.

Here is a link to some videos on this (more are in progress) :

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGB6RkFB7ZmNxjw-XsdpbmTfYStObtNFc

Here's the wishlist entry:
http://www.gog.com/wishlist/games/distant_worlds_universe

I would instabuy DW:U if it came to GOG, but I can imagine the rage should the game come here with that price tag.

Yeah, but it's really 5 games wrapped into one with this release.

I know I've gotten hundreds and hundreds of hours out of it, and I haven't even tried any of the Mods for it yet.


I should mention, this primary focus (other than wrapping everything together) was on expanding the Modding capability of Distant Worlds.

I've already seen mention of Star Wars, Star Trek, Babylon, etc. Mods being mentioned - this is going to be really good.

Heh, I just added that game to my steam wishlist today after reading the write up on RPS.

Never heard of it before but, it's smells like a very solid series.

I suppose I head over the community wishlist now as well, much rather get it through GOG!

Distant Worlds has been around for ages; Universe just takes the formula and makes it slightly more palatable for the 'lay man' so to speak (improved tutorials, more information when making new games, etc). Good time for new 4x fans to jump onboard (with much lower cost than those of us who bought the expansions one by one :p)

I don't see it coming to GoG - Slytherin Games/Matrix Games seem to be pretty content with their niche model (though it is, weirdly enough, promising that they are bringing DW:U to Steam - prior to this they have been purely published via the Matrix Games website/store). Not to mention they are pretty inflexible with their pricing (though, to be fair, GoG has been doing more full priced games for a while now - still not what GoG is known for yet though I think).

As for their serial # requirement, I think it is one of the 'easier' models to change to a DRM free mechanic - it uses the old fashioned serial number system (a hash coded serial number that is keyed to a specific formula, no server checks involved). We can hope for it to happen, but it all depends on Matrix Games I think and whether they feel it is worth it to break further out of the niche environment and go DRM free at the same time.

For people wanting some in depth videos on it I suggest watching Das24680 (https://www.youtube.com/user/Das24680) - he is quite informative with his let's playes of the original game + expansions, and is currently doing a 'How to play' series for DW:U

I agree, I think it's a very good value for the price considering all the content and the quality of the game. You can still buy it direct from Matrix Games.

Well, the thing is, you can buy it on the Matrix site while they're running the launch promotion . . . well here, let me just post this from the developer :

http://steamcommunity.com/app/261470/discussions/0/558756255897420874/#p3 In short, you get both - Serial # if that's all you want, PLUS a Steam Key if you insist on having it in your Steam Library as well.

The fact that they are finally looking to adding their products to oudside publishers is a good sign for at least 'negotiations' with GoG. Prior to this they were isolated (so to speak) and mainly fit into a specific niche. With one outside publisher working with them it should, theoretically, be easier for them to 'take the plunge' on more outside publishers in the future

Thanks for the info.The price is a bit lower than buying the base + expansions alone. The only thing that bothers me is once they sell on Steam there is always possibility they might go Steamworks or add additional bullcrap (you know what i mean) to integrate on Steam in the future or even steam workshop. I might end up buying via the website and throwing the free steamkey away - not keen on promoting that service.

They're currently debating on whether or not to do the Workshop or whatever it is on Steam (I don't use Steam, so not familiar with all that stuff).

This game is unbelievably deep, but the Moddabliltiy just opens things even more.
There is a Mod section on the Main site, which I expect to get a lot of activity with this newest release (plus Steam).

In fact, here is the first Universe Mod (by one of the Beta Testers) that adds a bunch of new Races (some pictures) :

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3141149&mpage=1&key=

I assume they have a good sized customer base who already play the game as is -- imho not locking it to Steam workshop is the better option in this case (Steam workshop isn't that good anyway if mods for Skyrim are anything to go by --- there are a lot more exclusive mods on Nexus mods anyway)

The original Distant Worlds came out in 2010, and there have been three expansion on that - roughly one per year.
None of these have been available on Steam until today, so the majority of the game base is on the Matrix site.

This release is everything wrapped up into one release - there aren't supposed to be any more expansions on this Engine (or course, that could change).

DW2 is supposed to be the next iteration, but that's easily a year out if not more.

I'm quite tempted by this, even though at the discounted price it's still been maaaany years since I spent that much on a single (yeah, it includes 4 expansions, I know) game. Would probably buy from the Matrix store if I do go for it, since the price is just about the same in my case, and from them you get a "DRM-lite" download in addition to a Steam key. Like others have said, I really can't see this coming to GOG due to the publisher's... highly *independent* (in the sense of not following the market/mainstream) pricing policy. I think it's likely that we'll see games here in the future which are more expensive than Blackguards/Age of Wonders 3 are now, but I expect those would be day 1-ish releases, rather than a "complete/ultimate/enhanced" edition of a four year old game, no matter the cult status and how many enhancements are included.

Matrix/Slitherine also has some classics in their roster, like Steel Panthers: World at War - Generals Edition, and updated versions of the Close Combat series, Norm Koger's The Operational Art of War, and Talonsoft's Battleground series and East/West Front series. These would be perfect for testing the waters with GOG, if they feel reluctant to bring their newer games here.