Stardock acquires Star Control rights from Atari

from JoeUser Forums

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Stardock is pleased to announce that it has secured Atari's rights to the classic franchise, Star Control with the intent to develop a new Star Control game. Development on the new game would begin this Fall with a release date to be determined later.
 
"We would be looking at Star Control 2 as a major source of inspiration," said Brad Wardell, President & CEO of Stardock.
 
Stardock expects the new Star Control to come in the form of a reboot in a similar sense that Firaxis did with the XCOM series last year.


More information on the Star Control relaunch will be made available as it becomes available.

114,886 views 26 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

Yay!  Star Control is an awesome IP.  

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Epic good news! Wished you also got Master of Orion rights.  :grin:

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Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

One ticket to the Hype Train, please.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Some history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Control

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Way to go, Stardock! I hope you guys can deliver an awesome Star Control game after we've been waiting over 20 years for a decent one!

I know there are several die-hard fans that would make great additions to the developing team, such as the guys at Project 6014!

 

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

PLEASE Stardock, for all that is holy and pure, do not make Star Control as a XCom-style roboot: keep the game mechanics in place. Thanks for listening to this die hard fan :}

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Cool and excited, but I'd love to see Stardock also acquire Spaceflight. Loved the PC game way back when and the Sega Genesis remake. More commerce, mining, negotiation, and exploration than the usual shoot em ups.

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

I agree with ChrisNYC on this too. Looking at Stardock's portfolio, I'd rather see a Galactic Civilizations 2 adaption that strips away the "strategy combat" and replaces it with direct ship control. Alternatively, like GC2 (diplomacy, exploration, resource collection, etc) but you only control/build one ship with FTL-style combat.

 

Also, check out https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/star-command/id632079234?mt=8 for a neat adaption of FTL-style gameplay. In a way it's "kinda" like X-com in that you can control crew members on the ship... but it's not the core of the combat mechanics.

Reply #9 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting SecretBaron, reply 6

PLEASE Stardock, for all that is holy and pure, do not make Star Control as a XCom-style roboot: keep the game mechanics in place. Thanks for listening to this die hard fan :}
End of SecretBaron's quote

I think by "X-Com style reboot" they mean that they'll start the franchise over with large inspiration taken from the predecessors.  IE, the game won't be a continuation of the previous series (SC3 or SC4, depending on what you think of SC3).  Rather it'll be a new SC1 that strives to capture the magic of SC2, but using modern technology..  

I don't think that they're referencing changing game play mechanics at all towards a tactical squad based game at all.  

Reply #10 from Elemental Forums Top

Stupid quote and edit buttons.

Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

This is incredibly exciting! Star Control 2 is my all time favorite game, and GalCiv2 is my favorite "modern" game. Congratulations Stardock, I have high hopes for your ability to produce an amazing game in the Star Control universe.

IMHO, the best thing about Star Control was the writing, and the deep world building it provided. I still love playing SC2, because the quality of the writing never gets old (and that's what counts way more than graphics or anything else). Keep the gameplay open ended and user-directed, and give us an exciting world to explore.

Can't wait to see what you come up with, and I will absolutely be purchasing what you develop. Yay Stardock!

Reply #12 from Elemental Forums Top

We hope to have Paul (Reiche) and Fred involved in it.  We've exchanged email to begin discussing the possibilities.  We'll keep you informed.

Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Glad to hear it! I hope they can be on the development team - the prospect of Paul, Fred, and Stardock collaborating together on a Star Control game is some of the best PC gaming news I've heard since the 90's.

Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top

/me munches on a bag of pop-Juffo-Wup

Reply #15 from Demigod Forums Top

Having Paul & Fred working with you guys would be awesome.

Reply #17 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting tjashen, reply 16

Ars Technica has taken note of this acquisiton...

End of tjashen's quote
">http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/07/stardock-acquires-star-control-rights-in-fire-sale-plans-reboot/[/quote]

 

I think that's pretty fair, especially the "We don't need a new Master's of Orion, we need a new Star Control".  Galciv is already a new master's of orion, that franchise's niche is already taken.  A new Star Control is what is needed.  Story, atmosphere and writing is what's involved here.  I'm glad Stardock was the one to receive this IP, I know they are going to be dedicated to doing it justice.

Reply #18 from Sins Forums Top

I cannot think of anyone better to make a new Star Control game. Congratulations Stardock for acquiring the IP. :)

Reply #19 from Elemental Forums Top

Star Control 3 was my first PC game that I bought, right after buying my first PC. I'm looking forward to the new one. :D

Reply #20 from Sins Forums Top

...

 

Reply #21 from Elemental Forums Top

Looks/sounds promising. I am curious to see where stardock goes with this game.

Reply #23 from Elemental Forums Top

Talked to him last night, and I now understand better what they plan to do with the game. I am excited by it's prospects.

Reply #24 from Offworld Forums Top

I loved playing Star Control back in the day. I'm going to be watching this with great interest. Zeep eep! :)