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Shadow of the Endless - Novel ReleaseOct 15, 2024 - Community AnnouncementsHello there! Today we have exciting news for all of you that are fans of the Endless Universe! Stephen Gaskell, one of our writers here at Amplitude, has been working on this project for several years, and it is SHOWTIME, it is time to introduce the novel, Shadow of the Endless. It is the first novel that has been setin the Endless Universe, and today you can get this magnificent book! ✨ MEET THE AUTHOR Daarkarrow: Stephen, I would love it if you could tell the players a bit more about who you are, the work you have done here at Amplitude, and well anything you want. Stephen: Thanks, Daarkarrow! I’ve been with Amplitude over ten years now (wow, time flies!), working mainly on Endless projects like Endless Legend and Endless Space 2, but also on Amplitude’s entry into the historical strategy genre, Humankind. Science-fiction is my first love though—and the reason I ended up a games writer at Amplitude—so when the opportunity came up to write a novel set in the Endless universe I jumped at the chance. Space travel, precursor civilizations, and existential cosmic questions—all these things have fascinated me from my earliest years, and the Endless universe is the perfect backdrop to explore these elements! Daarkarrow: Thanks for the introduction. I think players are eager to know a bit more about the book you have been writing, should we go straight to that? Stephen: Let’s dive right in! SHADOW OF THE ENDLESS {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/9611469/0de1a7e633fb4129d60688f2c5ca3c262806c7cf.png Daarkarrow: Okay Stephen, could you explain to us what Shadow of the Endless is about? Stephen: Essentially, Shadow of the Endless is about a young Pilgrim named Sewa, who uncovers a plot to betray her people, resulting in a wild adventure across the galaxy. For those who don’t know, the Pilgrims are an offshoot of the United Empire, who fled into space in a dozen or so fleets when Emperor Zelevas sought to eradicate their Endless-worshipping religion. As a hunted people, the Pilgrims are constantly on the run, and as such, Sewa’s first duty is to her people’s survival. She wants to be a caver, but it seems fate has other ideas... Daarkarrow: Okay so based on what I can see it is a sci-fi + adventure novel, right? Stephen: Yes, exactly. Strange worlds, starships, weird and horrifying aliens. All the classic stuff. The novel delves deeper into many elements of the Endless universe, such as the nature of Dust, the inner workings of the Academy, and the United Empire homeworld, but at heart it’s a story about a young woman coming to terms with her place in the world (or galaxy!). If you like (or fear!) the idea of caving deep into subterranean places, the novel should give you a lot of feels too! Daarkarrow: Amazing, thanks for the details! As we all know you wanted to start reading it, no worries! We’ve prepared a small sample of the book so you can start having fun and get your eyes on the first pages while you wait for the book to arrive. FREE to download in Games2Gether. ...12-year-old 4X game jumps from 40 players to 40,000 in a single dayJan 24, 2024 - PCGamesNTime passes, new games arrive, player numbers rise and fall. But just because a game is old, doesn't mean it's forgotten, and there are plenty of all-time classics that suddenly get a second chance. Originally launched in 2012, a somewhat intimidating 12 years ago, one beloved 4X icon in the vein of Stellaris is experiencing a huge resurgence, as the player count skyrockets from just over 40 to more than 40,000 in one day. Helped along by a sizable Steam discount, if you want to be part of the comeback of the year so far, now's the time. Read the rest of the story... RELATED LINKS: Endless Space update Rise of the Automatons introduces new race The Endless Space Collection is free for keeps on the Humble StoreSep 12, 2019 - PC GamerThe Humble Store is wrapping up its big End of Summer Sale, and to bid a proper farewell to both the good weather and the deals, it's giving away the Endless Space Collection for the next 48 hours. Endless Space is a sci-fi 4X strategy game, a bit dated (it came out in 2012) but still very good. The Endless Space Collection inclues the base game and the Disharmony expansion, which adds a full new faction, plus new units, invasion mechanics, AI improvements, an overhauled Ship Design interface, and other additions, tweaks, and bug fixes. The Humble Store End of Summer Sale runs until 10 am PT on September 16, but the Endless Space Collection freebie is only up for grabs until September 14. And speaking of Endless Space, the Endless Space 2: Awakening expansion went live today—read all about it. Some online stores give us a small cut if you buy something through one of our links. Read our affiliate policy for more info. Weekend Deal - Endless Space 2, 90% OffSep 5, 2019 - AnnouncementSave up to 90% on the Endless Franchise as part of this week's Weekend Deal*! If you already have Steam installed, you can play Endless Space 2 and Endless Legend for FREE until Monday at 10AM Pacific. If you don't have Steam, you can download it here. *Discount ends Thursday at 7AM Pacific Time Humankind release date, trailer, gameplay, everything we know about Amplitude's new 4X Magnum OpusAug 27, 2019 - Rock, Paper, Shotgun Humankind, the latest and most ambitious 4X strategy game from Endless Legend creators Amplitude Studios, looks to revitalise the historical 4X genre and nab the crown from the titanic and venerable Civilization series. And look damn pretty while it does so, too. But it’s not just looks that Amplitude are hoping to win out on with Humankind. We’ll go over everything we know about Humankind below, from release date information to our first glimpses of gameplay in trailers and screenshots, and what we can glean about how everything will work when it’s released. (more…) Love Thyself A Horatio Story is a free, real, Endless Space dating simApr 2, 2019 - Rock, Paper, Shotgun I’ve always liked how Amplitude set their games in the same universe. From Endless Space to Endless Legend, whether their games are flavoured sci-fi or fantasy, each one forms an act in a space opera that spans millennia. Surprise! The latest act came out yesterday. It’s a free visual novel where you play as a fresh clone in the Horatio empire, a people born from an eccentric trillionaire determined to reforge the galaxy in His image. You fancy Him, obviously. (more…) Endless Legend and Endless Space 2 are free to play until next week on SteamJan 24, 2019 - EurogamerDeveloper Amplitude Studios' Endless series of strategy games, including Endless Legend and Endless Space 2 (but minus its predecessor, for reasons which will later become clear), is free to play on Steam until next week. Amplitude's free weekend, which coincides with the launch of new expansions for Endless Space 2 and Endless Legend (titled Penumbra and Symbiosis respectively), runs from today, January 24th, until Monday, January 28th. During that time, the aforementioned Endless titles, plus Dungeon of the Endless, will be available to play for nowt. That's not quite the end of it, however. Pretty much the entirety of Amplitude's back-catalogue is currently discounted on Steam, meaning that you can continue your strategic adventures for significantly less than the usual price once the free weekend is over. Read more… Endless Space is now FREE FOREVER!Jan 24, 2019 - Community Announcementshttps://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/3606674/cf3f1ce8a88d53a95b23738386e077648d9edda9.png Hello there! We're proud to announce that Endless Space is now free to play! Get it on the Games2Gether Platform and keep it forever! Happy Endless Day to you all! Eratum: Due to the massive number of requests, the G2G platform's servers might overload from time to time. Thank you for your patience, as we are still increasing the servers capacities.Endless Space 2 and Endless Legend expand today, plus first Endless Space freeJan 24, 2019 - Rock, Paper, ShotgunSpectral space-spies and mushroom people have arrived today in Endless Space 2 and Endless Legend. The two expansions – Penumbra and Symbiosis, respectively – each add a new playable faction to the already-massive 4X strategy games, plus a major game-changing new feature that can impact everyone. Below, a developer stream taking an hours-long dive into both expansions. Those new to the Endless universe (a sprawling sci-fi setting shared by all of Amplitude’s games, including Endless Space 1 & 2, Dungeon Of The Endless and Endless Legend), all the games in the series are free to try on Steam for the weekend, along with discounts to keep. Endless Space 1 is forever if you sign up and link your Steam account over on their Games2Gether site here. (more…) Have You Played Endless Space?Dec 5, 2018 - Rock, Paper, Shotgun Have You Played? is an endless stream of game retrospectives. One a day, every day, perhaps for all time… I was really good at Endless Space. Me and my internet buds (found through the RPS community, in fact) used to while away our weekends in Amplitude’s first stab at 4X strategy, embroiled in bickering over juicy planets and strategically-important hyperspace lanes. My empire would nearly always shine the brightest and the best – at least until the other galactic players would team up to take me down. Nobody knew quite why I did so well, other than it might have something to do with me taking twice as long to end my turn. I had a secret. (more…) Amplitude Studios' free weekend is underway, includes Endless Space 2 and Endless LegendAug 2, 2018 - EurogamerAmplitude Studios' splendid Endless series of strategy games - which comprises of Endless Legend, Endless Space and its sequel, Dungeon of the Endless, and an assortment of DLC - is having a free weekend, and it's underway now. From today, August 2nd, until 6pm on Monday, August 6th in the UK, all of Amplitude's Endless games are available to download and try for free on Steam. Of course, if you want to continue playing after the event ends, you'll need to fork over some cash. However, should you be sufficiently swayed toward a purchase, all titles and DLCs are discounted on Steam during Amplitude's free weekend. The Endless Space Collection is 1.49, down from 14.99, Endless Space 2 is 11.89 instead of 34.99, Endless Legend drops from 22.99 to 5.74, and the normally 8.99 Dungeon of the Endless will set you back 2.24. Read more… Endless Franchise Free Weekend, save 10 to 90%Aug 2, 2018 - AnnouncementPlay Endless Space 2, Endless Legend, Dungeon of the Endless and Endless Space for FREE starting now through Monday at 10AM Pacific Time. Save 10 to 90% on all Endless Franchise titles too!* If you already have Steam installed, you can click the following links to start playing now! Endless Space 2, Endless Legend, Dungeon of the Endless and Endless Space. If you don't have Steam, you can download it here. *Offer ends Monday at 10AM Pacific Time Endless Space - Galaxy CupJun 15, 2018 - Community Announcementshttps://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/9611469/34a4db87250417e539182e33b21c2d5ee02d9824.png Hello there, The Galaxy Cup will be held starting today until July 15th. 16 Endless Space factions will compete for the ultimate prize: Internet Glory! Come vote for your favorite faction throughout the month on our Twitter or Facebook. First round starts at 7PM CET! Have any prognostics? The best 4X games on PCApr 3, 2018 - PC GamerWelcome to our round up of the best 4X games on PC. Ever since the term '4X' was coined for the original Master of Orion , we’ve been Exploring, Expanding, Exploiting, and Exterminating our way through fantasy, history, and the depths of space. The genre has seen something of a renaissance in the last half decade, and while it’s great to have options, there’s also a lot to sort through. Not every 4X game is for everyone, so we’ve taken a look at all the major players to enter the stage in recent years and why you might, or might not, want to play them. Dominions 5 Let's start with an unusual one. Dominions 5 is a 4X game about warring gods and their fantastical armies. You start by designing your deity, which could be a raging dragon or a mystical inanimate rock. Turn by turn you muster armies, recruit wizards to research apocalyptic magic spells, and fend off the attentions of other pretender gods. Dominions' visuals are... old school, let's say. You need to dig into the community and get some decent user-made maps but, once you've done that and scanned the manual you'll find a detailed strategy game that generates mad stories. I'm used to controlling spaceships and cavalry in 4X games, only in Dominions can I send an alliance of satyrs, wyverns, elemental spirits and ghosts off to fight some atlanteans. The AI is easily to beat once you have played a few games but the game thrives in multiplayer about other people. Who's it for: Players happy to get past primitive visuals to unpick a detailed magic system and command dazzling and varied factions. Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion A unique blend of 4X and RTS set in space, Rebellion is more fast-paced than most of the games on this list. It’s a standalone expansion, but also the definitive version of Sins currently available—so you don’t need to worry about grabbing the original to have a good time. Who it’s for: Existing RTS fans who want to branch out into 4X, and players who like to get to the action fast and maintain a challenging pace. This one may be a little chaotic for the turn-based armchair generals of the world. Fallen Enchantress This turn-based fantasy 4X revolves heavily around Hero characters and a faction leader called a sovereign who can go on RPG-style quests and be used in many aspects of empire management, not just limited to combat. Who it’s for: Classic RPG fans will feel right at home with the quest system, and the customizable fantasy armies are likely to appeal to tabletop miniature painters of the Warhammer and Hordes persuasions. Endless Space One of the most intriguing aspects of the universe in which Endless Space (and its sequel) are set is the mythology behind it. Much revolves around the ancient empire known as the Endless, and the quasi-magical Dust they left behind. Who it’s for: A good all-around entry level space 4X that will al...How the Endless series reimagined the 4X strategy genreJan 4, 2018 - PC GamerThis article was originally published in PC Gamer issue 312. For more quality articles about all things PC gaming, you can subscribe now in the UK and the US. The arrival of a new 4X game is a special event in the PC gaming calendar, like a solar eclipse passing across a world split up into tiny hexes. It’s rare enough to feel monumental, yet comforting in its cyclicality; a sporadic dose of complexity reminding us PC gamers that, despite our growing propensity for couch gaming, there are some pleasures that remain unique to us. One year there’ll be a Civ game, another year there’ll be a Gal Civ and then an Age of Wonders. Fill any gaps with meaty DLC, and repeat the cycle. But between 2012 and 2017, a trifecta of games from an upstart French developer shook up this 4X hegemony. Amplitude Studios’ Endless Space (2012), Endless Legend (2014) and Endless Space 2 (2017) reinterpreted the 4X playbook, working within its strict rulesets to push the genre further than it had ever gone before. Two of the leading figures in this 4X supernova are Romain de Waubert, cofounder of Amplitude Studios, and Jeff Spock, narrative director on the series. The Endless games have a strong narrative thrust, interconnected by a story about an extinct, advanced civilisation—the titular Endless—that destroyed itself through infighting. There is no expository intro in any of the games. Instead, you learn about the lore by finding artefacts, carrying out quests and exploring planets and the vestiges of lost civilisations. Even something as fundamental as researching technologies is a pithy lesson, as most techs in the game originate from the Endless. Spock believes that the 4X genre lends itself naturally to a subtle brand of worldbuilding, which still affords the player the agency they’ve come to expect from a 4X game. It was important to maintain that Civ ethos of enabling the player to create their own narratives, all the while offering compelling stories. “Because it’s a procedurally generated game, you don’t need a traditional storyline. It’s the player’s story, not the designer’s story,” he says. To that end, there are no cinematics. Instead, the Endless series relies on hand-drawn pictures and evocative prose. Quests are tales of monsters that you can hunt in haunting, misty oceans, or of species that worship mysterious beings that predate even the Endless. “I think it’s more interesting to use text and 2D images, and allow the player to come up with the rest of the imagery. All we want to do is keep throwing coal into the engine so whatever they’re imagining is rich and meaningful,” Spock tells us. “We definitely shouldn’t take over the imagination of the player,” adds de Waubert, “because then it wouldn’t be 4X anymore.” Even in the short time span between ...Weekend Deal - Endless Franchise Complete Packs, 85% OffJan 19, 2017 - AnnouncementSave 85% on Endless Franchise Complete Packs as part of this week's Weekend Deal*! *Offer ends Monday at 10AM Pacific Time Interview: Endless Space 2 s Devs On Why They Traded Independence For SegaSep 8, 2016 - Rock, Paper, ShotgunAmplitude Studios has grown significantly since the Parisian developer, as a small team that you could count on one hand, first conceived Endless Space. Now they work out of two floors in a high-rise near the centre of the metropolis and are busy working on their fourth game, Endless Space 2. Recently, they announced a partnership with publisher Sega. It s an evolution and escalation that s echoed in their games. Endless Space 2, then, is an opportunity to show everyone just how much they ve grown, combining the ideas that birthed their first game with the lessons they ve learned through the much lauded Endless Legend. I spoke to the company’s two founders to discuss why they’re making the game now, what the partnership with Sega means for the studio, and more. … Endless Space 2 Hands On: Buying Planets As The Mafia-Like LumerisSep 8, 2016 - Rock, Paper, ShotgunEndless Space 2 is the sequel to French studio Amplitude s cosmic 4X game, though it feels just as much a follow-up to their exceptional fantasy strategy affair, Endless Legend. Comfortably sitting next to all the numbers, resources and planetary management are lively stories, epic quests, and fascinating space-faring species, each with distinct hooks the ingredients that made the company s last game something special. I traveled to Amplitude s offices to get my hands on the game, and thus far my goal is to try and get rich the noblest of pursuits. … Sega acquires Endless developer AmplitudeJul 5, 2016 - PC GamerSega has acquired Endless developer Amplitude, hoovering up another strategy great and putting the series alongside the likes of Total War. We at PCG are big Endless Legend fans the mad variation between factions alone sets it apart from the 4X crowd. With the takeover, Sega will take charge of publishing the inbound Endless Space 2. It'll still go through Early Access though. We're told to expect it later this year. Sega Acquire Amplitude, Will Publish Endless Space 2Jul 5, 2016 - Rock, Paper, ShotgunSega have acquired Amplitude, creators of the Endless series of strategy games. Endless Legend was our game of the year in 2014 and its predecessor Endless Space is set to receive a direct sequel that will enter Early Access later this year. Sega will now publish that game, as well as assuming responsibility for the back catalogue of Endless games, which includes Dungeon of the Endless, a fantastic tower-defense/roguelike hybrid. Amplitude are one of the smartest young strategy studios around and they join Creative Assembly, Relic and Sports Interactive (Football Manager is a strategy game) in Sega’s stable of PC developers. That’s a mighty strong line-up for a company that old men like me still associate with ancient consoles and platform games rather than PC publishing. …
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