Stellaris' sci-fi strategy gets a diplomacy boost in new Federations expansion
Plus new Lithoids Species Pack out this week.
Paradox Interactive's acclaimed 4X sci-fi strategy game Stellaris is expanding once more, this time with the new diplomacy themed Federations DLC, out later this year on PC.
Federations is Stellaris' fourth expansion (or ninth if you include the game's various Story and Species Packs), and aims to considerably expand the diplomatic options available in-game.
According to Paradox, players can "build up the internal cohesion of their Federations and unlock powerful rewards for all members", by taking advantage of Trade Leagues, Martial Alliances, Hegemony, and more. Additionally, the expansion introduces a galactic senate, able to vote on a wide variety of resolutions to drive legislative agendas.
Member empires are able to sanction those that defy the senate's rules, enact a single galactic focus, or even "sway the senate to position [themselves] as a leader, trading favours and manoeuvring, doing whatever it takes to gain influence among schemers."
Elsewhere, the Federations DLC introduces Origins, enabling players to flesh out their empire's background and adjust its starting conditions.
"Whether it's Void Dwellers who have abandoned their homeworld to live in perpetual orbit," says Paradox, "or a society that worships and protects a powerful Tree of Life, you can lay the groundwork wisely for the seeds of your empire."
Rounding off the expansion are new construction projects, including the Mega Shipyard, which can produce fleets at "incredible speed", or the Juggernaut, a massive mobile repair base that can even function in enemy territory.
Elsewhere, Stellaris' newly announced Lithoids Species Pack - which adds new mechanics, new species portraits, ship models, and a voice pack, all themed around the rock-based lifeform - arrives on 24th October, priced at £5.79/$7.99 USD.