Sid Meier's Starships is the latest turn-based strategy title from Firaxis Games, and it will allow players to "build a planetary federation" in an effort to secure peace for the galaxy, publisher 2K Games announced today.
The game is scheduled to be available in "early 2015" as a download-only title on iPad, Mac and Windows PC, said 2K. The company did not provide any pricing information. Starships is set in the universe of Firaxis' most recent game, 2014's Civilization: Beyond Earth, and Firaxis is building "cross-connectivity" between the two titles for people who own Beyond Earth and also buy Starships.
"When designing Starships, I was intrigued by the idea of exploring the next chapter in the story of Civilization: Beyond Earth. What happens after we colonize our new home and eventually build starships to take to the stars? What has become of our long-lost brothers and sisters from the planet Earth?" said Sid Meier, director of creative development at Firaxis, in a press release. "My goal was to create an experience that focuses on starship design and combat within a universe filled with interstellar adventure, diplomacy, and exploration."
Starships puts players in the role of starship commanders, giving them the ability to customize an entire fleet of vessels for space travel and combat. Players will research future tech as they explore the universe and build up their federation, with the goal of spreading the organization's influence across the galaxy. Every new Starships campaign will offer a unique map of the galaxy with dynamically generated combat missions.
For more on Starships, check out the game's intro cinematic above, along with four pieces of concept art and three screenshots below. You can also read our review of Civilization: Beyond Earth.