A v1.1 patch for Sins of a Solar Empire is now live after an extended beta testing period. The new version includes several enhancements, including network improvements, upgrades to graphics performance, improved graphics, mini-underground window, balance tweaks, AI fixes, and more.

This change log outlines all the changes made through the update. It can be downloaded through Stardock’s Impulse platform.

Gamespot reports that the second expansion pack for Galactic Civilizations II is in development. Dubbed Twilight of Arnor, the add-on is expected to be released later this year. It will add a lot of new content to the game; it will also offer new spaceship customization options and new technologies for each of the game’s alien civilizations to explore.

The site also has an interview with Stardock’s Brad Wardell who offers some more information on the upcoming title.

The official Galactic Civilizations II site features an update that reveals that a full expansion for the RTS is in the works and that the previously planned $9 mini-expansions have been cancelled. New ships, civilizations and more can be expected in the add-on that is expected sometime near the end of the year. A future sequel is also planned, though it is too far off to be discussed in the update.

Stardock is in the news once again - an update on the Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords website follows-up on the recent story of the exclusion of copy-protection program in the game. The update states that StarForce has apologized for the incident and that various torrent sites have already pulled down links to the pirated copy of the strategy title.

Also mentioned in the post was the mention of how popular the game is. It appears that GalCiv 2 was on EBGames’ top selling games list, taking the top spot in PC titles and #2 in all platforms.

A post on the official Galactic Civilizations II website talks about the exclusion of copy-protection systems in the game, stating that the developer is not inviting piracy. In fact, the post (logically) states that piracy can’t be avoided, but has to be reduced, and that the developer’s weapon to fight piracy is by offering legit players “convenient, frequent, free updates.”

The post goes on to talk about Starforce, the most hated copy-protection system in the planet. Apparently, a member of the company posted a link to a torrent site which was offering the full game for free download. It seems that the company was pissed that Stardock didn’t include their copy-protection software in Galactic Civilizations II, which, as it turns out, has been selling rather well. A related post discloses that the company has shipped more units of GalCiv II in the first 10 days than the total sales of the first GalCiv in its lifetime.

Good to see some developers still have their heads on their shoulders!

A total of four games were released on February 21; here’s the scoop:

• Codemasters has shipped RF Online to stores in the US and UK, officially bringing the popular Eastern MMORPG to the West. RF Online can be purchased for $50 which includes one month’s free subscription; a monthly subscription goes for $15.
• Stardock’s space strategy sequel Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords is now available. Interested players can purchase the title from most stores in North America, or can download the game from TotalGaming.net. The title is also available in Europe from Paradox.
• Two expansions for EverQuest have been released – Kingdom of Sky for EQ2 and Prophecy of Ro for the original EQ. Detailed information can be found on Sony’s Station site.