The strategy game audience is possibly matured enough now to understand it in the paradox era of games.while back in the day it was too huge.

Shame about the interface and micromanagement but the game has every aspect of modern strategy games and it shows great understanding of the SW theme.

Ascendancy was a few years before this. Can't recall if there was anything of the kind before that though.

Ascendancy is what I would class as a normal 4X and not grand strategy.

I don't think Rebellion classes as Grand Strategy, it's definitely a 4X (Master of Orion 2 with a Star Wars leaning and less customisable aspects, essentially).

Not even close. the 4X game was a well enstablished genre when Rebelliion came out.

I know Pax Imperia came out a few years before Rebellion, but maybe that one was more 4X?

First, you'd need to clarify what you mean by "grand strategy". It's definitely a 4X in my book...Grand strategy? When you say that, I think of games like Hearts of Iron - crazy, in depth war simulations. I'm struggling to see how Rebellion differs, in its genre, from Master of Orion, Galactic Civilizations, Ascendency and their ilk.

Can you specify your understanding of the difference between 4X and grand strategy? :)