Sins of a Solar Empire II Launches Into Early Access

Suzie Ford October 28, 2022 News

Stardock and Ironclad Games have announced that Sins of a Solar Empire II has launched into early access. The first phase of early access testing is a technical preview that offers player a peek at the single-player portion of the game. Those who wish to participate can pre-purchase the game to gain access to testing opportunities.

Some of the new game elements that will be available in the Technical preview include:

Universe in motion: Play on a map where phase lanes adjust as planets orbit, closing doors to some opportunities while opening windows to others as the game progresses.
Detailed tactical simulation: New turreted weapons track targets along firing arcs, simulating realistic limitations to fields of fire. Point defense weapons shoot down enemy missile swarms while stronger units help to block incoming fire to protect vulnerable fleets.
Enhanced/Improved planet development: Tailor colonized worlds with a diverse planetary development system. Players can focus planets towards research, ship construction, mining, or other needs based on their position within the solar system.
Diplomatic intrigue: Neutral NPC factions will help players develop their solar empires… or hinder them.
The new Iron Engine: The first build released publicly will focus on trying out the new, 64-bit, core-neutral game engine developed by Ironclad that supports tens of thousands of ships without any performance degradation.

Once testing is complete for the first technical preview, a second technical preview will launch in late 2022. in Q1 2023, players will be able to access the alpha version of the game. It will include multiplayer and the addition of the Vasari and Advent factions. Lastly, developers are targeting a 2023 launch of the beta version of Sins II. This phase offers developers time to address issues that crop up during testing. Once complete, it will be “all hands on deck” as the game cruises to launch.

“Early Access is an important part of our development process,” Clair said. “It lets players experience the game during its iteration, which provides us with valuable feedback on what features are enjoyed and what might need some tweaking. It’s a collaboration that we really enjoy and value within our community.”