http://beta.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/swordofthestarsii/news.html?sid=6306686&mode=previews&page=1

Read this preview of it ... as a big fan of MoO 1+2, I have to say it sounds pretty interesting. I liked quite a number of features they mentioned, not the least of which were the tactical elements. I've been waiting for space sims to move away from the standard hit point system, to use 3D formations, and to allow tactical maneuvers/orders all in one package. I wonder if they use a newtonian physics engine for combat? ... that would be cool too. I suspect not as it wasn't mentioned. Some of the strategic facets sound really great too, including their research and internal politics models.

I have not however played Sword of the Stars 1. As with everything much depends on execution. How would people rate Sword of the Stars 1? Would people say that this is a developer who can execute ideas well, not just dream up good ones?

I've played Sword of the Stars, and I found it an interesting, if flawed take on the genre.

It did have interesting ideas, like the somewhat random tech tree and the races who had a genuinely different gameplay.
However, it's very combat-focused, even early on, and unfortunately the combat system itself isn't all that great. That may be a plus or not for you, but I vastly prefer the diplomatic/economic aspect of these kind of games usually.
Coupled with some annoyances like a lack of automatic upgrading for ship designs and a 3D map I found hard to read, that brings down the game from good to decent imho.

I'd say this is a developer that has good ideas, but hasn't yet proven its ability to implement them well. YMMV, of course.

Cheers, I was in fact reading a lot of really neat ideas in there that I have been looking for in the genre, but the crux is not to be the first to implement an idea, but the first to do it well ... Hopefully with Sword of the Stars 2 they will implement their systems better.

Dancing with Stars with Swords sounds like a winning concept to me.

:)

Bought SotS Complete just recently and barely played it, but overall it's very nice. Sword of the Stars 2 will probably be a treat for a MoO fan, it's by Paradox after all. :)

Ah yes ... they do like their strategy games at Paradox. :)