Gamespy, IGN award Galactic Civilizations II expansion Editors' Choice
{{date|February 15, 2007}}
[[Image:GalacticCivilizationsIICustomShip.png|right|frame|The game allows users to design their own ships]]
'''[[w:Plymouth, Michigan|Plymouth, Michigan]], [[w:United States|United States]]''' - This week, independent software developer [[w:Stardock|Stardock]] released ''[[w:Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar|Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar]]'', an expansion to their PC turn-based strategy game ''[[w:Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords|Dread Lords]]''. Industry websites IGN and GameSpy responded with Editors' Choice awards, while UGO gave it an A. The expansion had previously been named as one of GameSpy's ''Most Wanted Games of 2007''.

Reviewers cited the significant increase in customization options, better [[artificial intelligence]], and an improvement in graphics quality as decisive factors. UGO's Adam Swiderski noted that "if creating a fleet of death-dealing starships sounds like fun to you (and it really should), this is your dream playground," while GameSpy's reviewer suggested that "after a week of playing ''Dark Avatar'', you may forget ''[[w:Master of Orion|Master of Orion]]'' altogether." Criticism mostly revolved around "uninspired" ground combat, a too-generic [[w:technology tree|tech tree]], and the continued lack of multiplayer support.

The original game received some publicity for its lack of [[w:copy protection|copy protection]], but gained far more by the actions of a [[w:StarForce|StarForce]] forum administrator, who made a post linking to an illegal [[w:BitTorrent|BitTorrent]] download of the game. StarForce developer Protection Technology later claimed this to be a poorly-considered attempt to demonstrate the result of not using their software, which is designed to prevent software piracy. The result was a media backlash against the company, including satirical commentary by gaming webcomic/blog ''Penny Arcade'' describing the action as "extortion." Its writer, Jerry Holkins, asked that "publishers distance themselves from a company that has shown such contempt for their industry."

The expansion is available as an online purchase in CD or digital download form through Stardock's gaming subsidiary, TotalGaming.net. A compilation of the original and expansion has also been released as ''Galactic Civilizations II: Gold Edition'' and is available in stores, say Stardock. Their retail game releases still contain no copy protection, but [[w:product activation|online activation]] is required to download updates. 

== Sources ==

*{{source|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/763/763792p1.html
|title=Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar Review
|author=Steve Butts
|pub=IGN
|date=February 14, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/article/?id=16736&sectionId=2&page=1
|title=Galactic Civilizations II Dark Avatar Review
|author=Adam Swiderski
|pub=UGO
|date=February 14, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/galactic-civilizations-ii-dark-avatar/764302p1.html
|title=Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar Review
|author=Allen Rausch 
|pub=GameSpy
|date=February 13, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://mostwanted.gamespy.com/2007/09.html
|title=Most Wanted Games of 2007: Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar
|author=
|pub=GameSpy
|date=January 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.penny-arcade.com/2006/03/15
|title=In League With Demonic Forces
|author=Jerry Holkins, Mike Krahulik
|pub=Penny Arcade (webcomic)
|date=March 15, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6145864.html
|title=Copy protection company encourages piracy?
|author=Brendan Sinclair
|pub=GameSpot
|date=March 13, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://forums.galciv2.com/?ForumID=161&AID=106741
|title=Galactic Civilizations II, Copy Protection, and Piracy
|author=Brad Wardell
|pub=Stardock
|date=March 11, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.galciv2.com/darkavatar/
|title=Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar
|author=
|pub=Stardock
|date=March 7, 2006}}

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The game allows users to design their own ships
'Plymouth, Michigan, United States' - This week, independent software developer Stardock released Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar, an expansion to their PC turn-based strategy game Dread Lords. Industry websites IGN and GameSpy responded with Editors' Choice awards, while UGO gave it an A. The expansion had previously been named as one of GameSpy's Most Wanted Games of 2007.

Reviewers cited the significant increase in customization options, better artificial intelligence, and an improvement in graphics quality as decisive factors. UGO's Adam Swiderski noted that "if creating a fleet of death-dealing starships sounds like fun to you (and it really should), this is your dream playground," while GameSpy's reviewer suggested that "after a week of playing Dark Avatar, you may forget Master of Orion altogether." Criticism mostly revolved around "uninspired" ground combat, a too-generic tech tree, and the continued lack of multiplayer support.

The original game received some publicity for its lack of copy protection, but gained far more by the actions of a StarForce forum administrator, who made a post linking to an illegal BitTorrent download of the game. StarForce developer Protection Technology later claimed this to be a poorly-considered attempt to demonstrate the result of not using their software, which is designed to prevent software piracy. The result was a media backlash against the company, including satirical commentary by gaming webcomic/blog Penny Arcade describing the action as "extortion." Its writer, Jerry Holkins, asked that "publishers distance themselves from a company that has shown such contempt for their industry."

The expansion is available as an online purchase in CD or digital download form through Stardock's gaming subsidiary, TotalGaming.net. A compilation of the original and expansion has also been released as Galactic Civilizations II: Gold Edition and is available in stores, say Stardock. Their retail game releases still contain no copy protection, but online activation is required to download updates.
Games Culture and entertainment Michigan North America