Release Information
From SOTS
Contents |
Developer Information
The Developer is Kerberos Productions.
Demo Information
The demo initially premiered on FilePlanet on July 25th 2006. An updated demo was released on Oct. 16th 2006. It includes the 1.1.1 update and the ability to build and field a cruiser. A new demo with some of the CE Version 1.5.2 updates was released on May 27th 2008.
The Lighthouse announcement has a list of download places.
It can also be found at this link:
The size of the demo download is 231MB.
Demo 1.1.1
The 1.1.1 demo covers the Destroyer age, 2 races (the Humans and the Tarkas), 4 player multi-play, the fission- and beginning of the fusion-power era, and first-generation medium and small weapons. There is no limit on the number of playable turns. It allows for sphere-type galaxies (one of six galaxy configurations), with a maximum of 40 stars. There are no scenarios in the demo (other than a limited tutorial). Due to the truncated tech tree and ship limitations, the AI in the demo is much less sophisticated than what is seen in the full version.
Demo 1.5.2
The 1.5.2 demo covers the Destroyer and Cruiser age, 3 races (the Humans, the Liir and the Tarkas), and the fission- and fusion-power era. It includes 3 maps, the flat Disk map, star Clusters and the 3D Sphere, a less truncated tech tree, 3 player multiplayer and a video tutorial pack that can be downloaded separately and installed into this new demo. It is limited to 150 turns only.
Music/Soundtrack Information
The music for Sword of the Stars was produced by Studio X Labs, located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They previously worked on the music for Homeworld and Homeworld: Cataclysm. Paul Ruskay—a composer, sound designer, and project manager—was awarded best soundtrack by PCGamer and EuroGamer for his work on Homeworld in 1999 and in 2002 received the Leo Award for Sound Editing for his work on the film Mon Amour, Mon Parapluie. Greg Sabiz's—engineer, composer and sound designer—Battle Track 1 for Homeworld Cataclysm was featured in a Future Music magazine competition shortly after release, wherein readers were invited to remix the track.
With the combined experience of five people in interactive, new media, film and TV, it is doubtless that the Sword of the Stars soundtrack is in good hands.
"If you've watched the trailers though, you've likely gathered we're not interested in repeating the same Strings-In-Space territory you've heard before." — Castewar
Each race will have their own theme.
Publisher Information
The game will be published worldwide by Lighthouse Interactive.
North America
Lighthouse Interactive have announced a partnership with Destineer to distribute and co-publish SotS in North America. As of the release of the Collector's Edition, Destineer was no longer the North American distributing partner for the SotS franchise.
France and Spain
Lighthouse Interactive have announced a partnership with Nobilis Group to distribute SotS in Spain and France.
Germany
Lighthouse Interactive have announced a partnership with Frogster Interactive Pictures AG to distribute and localize SotS in Germany.
Release Date
Sword of the Stars
The in-store release date was August 29th, 2006 for USA and September 7th, 2006 for Europe. Sword of the Stars was released on IGN Entertainment's Direct2Drive and Paradox Interactive's GamersGate on August 17th.
Direct2Drive FAQ can be found here, and mention of copy-protection used by Direct2Drive here.
The official "Gone Gold" press release can be found here.
Born of Blood
The first expansion for the game became available for purchase as a direct download at various major portals like GamersGate.com beginning June 6th, 2007. The retail version hit retail shelves in June 2007 in the UK and various other European territories. There was no North American retail box release to NA retailers, though North American customers are able to order the retail box version directly from Lighthouse here.
The official "Gone Gold" press release can be found here.
Collector's Edition
The Collector's Edition of SotS, which will include BoB and other new updates, was released around the world on May 28th, 2008.
The official "Gone Gold" press release can be found here.
A Murder of Crows
The second expansion for the game will be available for purchase as a direct download exclusively at GamersGate.com beginning in September 2008. The retail version is expected to hit retail stores across the United Kingdom also in September 2008. The North American retail box version's release date has not yet been determined. Players are required to have either Sword of the Stars: Collector's Edition or Born of Blood in order to play this new addition to the franchise.
Release Media
Lighthouse has used SecuROM copy protection on the CD release of SotS. With the release of BoB and the Collectors Edition, SecuROM copy protection has been removed from the retail disks.
"We will not use Starforce on SOTS. That's official. End of quote." – Lighthouse Interactive
 SotS EU Box Cover Art, Click to expand |
 SotS NA Box Cover Art, Click to expand |
 SotS:BoB Box Cover Art, Click to expand |
 SotS:CE NA Box Cover Art, Click to expand |
 SotS:CE EU Box Cover Art, Click to expand |
 SotS:AMoC Potential Box Cover Art, Click to expand |
Where to Buy
Sword of the Stars is available at major retail chains and is also available in direct download or full box version from Lighthouse Interactive via their US and European Web shops. You can also buy it from IGN Entertainment's Direct2Drive and from Paradox Interactive's GamersGate. Sword of the Stars is also available via TotalGaming.net.
Confirmed retail chains that were/are selling SotS:
- Target
- Wal-mart
- Wal-mart Canada
- Best Buy
- Best Buy Canada
- Future shops Canada
- Comp USA
- Nebraska Furniture Mart
- Eurpac
- Amazon.com
- Circut City
- Fry's Electronics
- London Drug Canada
- Micro Center
Version Info
The current version of the first expansion Born of Blood, or installs of the Collector's Edition, is version 1.5.3.
The initial pre-expansion packs game is at version 1.2.2. You can find the official update release info in the Lighthouse release statement.
Information on any future update will be available on this wiki, on the versions page and here.
