SpaceSimCentral

So over the past six months we've been working on a turn based space strategy game in the vein of Stardrive, Endless Space, Galactic Civilizations and Master of Orion called Lord of Rigel. Basically we're taking everything we like, tossing out what we disliked, and really focusing on the end game which is always a bit of a weakness in these sorts of games. Having a Babylon 5 style cold war with two elder species is our answer, basically trying to do what Master of Orion 3 was aiming for with the New Orions and Galactic Council. The big thing separating us from the flock comes down to fleshing out the universe and sticking with turn based tactical (since so many current games have real time or non-interactive cinematic tactical).We're developing this for PC, Mac OS, and Linux. Key Features:Turn based strategic and tactical combatRandomly generated Galaxies with a wide range of customizable parameters10 Pre-set species with unique characteristicsSpecies customizationMinor species, including two Elder races waging a cold warRich technology tree ranging from lasers to artificial planets and Dyson spheresFully customizable space ships for waging warEasy to grasp but deep economic systemLeaders, either mercenaries or from your empire, who are shaped by their successes and failures.Diplomatic system that is simple, but has considerable depthSeveral victory conditions including military, diplomatic, and research options.Strategic resources that require unique strategies to acquire, hold, and exploitWho are we?Rhombus Studios, a relatively small company in Bellingham WA with a mix of people with industry experience in PC and mobile platforms but this is still a rather ambitious project for us. Past projects team members have done include Diaspora the freeware Battlestar Galactica space sim, Red Front for iOS, Battlestar Galactica Online, pre-production on Crytek games, and film.What are we currently working on?First off, a new website with should coincide with the release of a tactical combat demo that will give access to skirmish mode. Skirmish mode is like it is in the Total War games, you get to set up battles. We'll give access to the mid-level techs and two fleets.Our plan is to have that out and then do a small crowdfunding campaign to help fund some additional features (like iOS and Droid versions which will take some testing and licensing fees) in the game and get the word out.Sound Track Samples on Soundcloud:[/url] Generator Demo: (Old Art but gives a sense of galaxies in the game)Windows[/url] | Mac[/url] OS X | Linux[/url] (Old, Not being updated until the new one but has some stuff)http://www.lordofrigel.com[/url] PageOur steam early concepts page has some concept art up there.Some wallpapers:Humans versus KatraxiHuman fleet scale (not all ship classes shown)Screenshot:Tactical combat

Sounds good! When do you expect the POC demo to be ready? auryx

We are hoping to be done coding the demo in about a week or two and then spend about two weeks testing. So maybe a month out. Hopefully less!

I moved the thread to this forum as it seems more appropriate and you might want to put your website link in the OP as well.

Thanks PINBACK for reminding me! Post has been edited.

This is all looking excellent, and I'm getting excited about it Thanks for the updates! auryx

So we have a new article covering planetary production:http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/mechanics-series-10-colony-production/[/url] Here's the Selach starbase too!

We have a new article today covering the art direction behind LoR's weapons:[url]http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/ship-design-10-weapons-design/[/url] Also, we're showing off the Tharrn fighter!https://p3d.in/oxSh6[/url] link of the model)

We have an article today covering quests in LoR, and how we're approaching them design wise:http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/design-series-10-quests/[/url] the diplomat for our robotic species, the Synth!

Our weekly feature article this time covers espionage!http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/feature-series-10-espionage/[/url] Also, here's a wallpaper showing the different non-energy weapons to scale:

A few things for today, first off is the first entry in our species series videos covering the Katraxi: Our weekly progress update:http://www.lordofrigel.com/status/status-update-for-927-1032015/[/url] Also, showing off the Ornithon researcher:

Just to let you know your kickstarter is now on the mainpage and good luck

Thank you! We have backup plans even if the KS doesn't make it, but we're still hopeful  Anyway today is our "music Monday" with an update on how composing is progressing:http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/composition-series-10-music-update/[/url] Also, showing off a new ambient track![/url]

For today our species article covers the Rigelans, the Lords of Rigel of the title!http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/species-series-11-rigelan/[/url] Also, the Synth soldier!

For today we have something a little different, an article on typography in the game!http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/mechanics-series-11-typography/[/url] Also showing off the Ornithon fleet to scale!

We have a new ship design article today, covering the design behind the shadowy Xantus fleet!http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/ship-design-11-xantus-design/[/url] A little species summary wallpaper for the Xantus as well!

Today we have a new game design article, covering the galaxy map:http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/design-series-11-2d-galaxy-map/[/url] Also we have a new species "summary" pic for the Humans!

Our latest article covers fleet composition in the game and how we're trying to keep all ship classes relevant:http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/feature-series-11-fleet-composition/[/url] As for something to show, here's the Synth spy!

This "music monday" is a new article by our composer covering the music for the two elder species in the game:http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/composition-series-11-rigelan-and-arcturan-species-tracks/[/url] go with that a new track![/url] showing off the diplomat for the Bird-Borg Ornithons!

We have a new species article today, this time covering the shapeshifting Xantus:http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/species-series-12-xantus/[/url] Also, showing off the Ornithon soldier!