Galactic Civilizations beta available next week

Stardock has announced that it will release a beta version of Galactic Civilizations, its upcoming space empire strategy game, this Monday to those who have preordered the game from the official Web site. According to Stardock, the five-month beta test will let the developer implement features and suggestions from players before the game is released in early 2003. During the beta test, Stardock will be accepting player-submitted starships, technologies, social projects, space anomalies, and other game content.

Galactic Civilizations is set in the 23rd century. Players will assume the role of a leader of humankind's expansion into the galaxy, and they will have to compete against up to five other computer-controlled races for control of territory. The game includes a number of innovative features, such as a unit lease program, a heavy emphasis on diplomatic options, multiple victory conditions, and a variety of random events. In addition, the game will be able to download strategies from top players to automatically improve its artificial intelligence. For more information, take a look at our previous coverage of the game.