Star Control 2: The Ur-Quan Masters’ Free Release on Steam

Star Control 2: The Ur-Quan Masters, a classic strategy game from 1992, is set to make its debut on Steam on February 19, 2024. This release, orchestrated by Pistol Shrimp, a company founded by original Star Control creators Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford, will be completely free for gamers.

The long-running open source project of Star Control 2 has been taken advantage of in this release, allowing players to enjoy updated versions of the game. Reiche and Ford have been working towards a sequel, variously called Ur-Quan Masters 2 and Ghosts Of The Precursors, but the rights over the series have been a subject of contention between them and strategy game publisher Stardock.

The rights over the Star Control trademark have been a bone of contention between Reiche and Ford, who seem to own the copyright, and Stardock, who bought the rights to the trademark. This led to angry blog posts, spurious DMCAs, crowdfunded legal defenses, and eventual amicable settlement due to intervention by bees.

As part of the settlement, both parties agreed to continue making their games, with Reiche and Ford offering writing support to Stardock Star Control games, and Stardock offering technology support to Reiche and Ford. Reiche and Ford are seemingly unable to continue using the Star Control trademark, but can use everything else.

To coincide with the release, Pistol Shrimp is launching a podcast in which they’ll discuss The Ur-Quan Masters’ legacy with other developers. Episodes have been announced featuring Fallout’s Tim Cain, BioShock’s Ken Levine, Firewatch’s Chris Remo, and more. There’ll be an audio version and YouTube uploads.

If this still seems baffling to you, then as always, Richard Cobbett has the goods on why The Ur-Quan Masters matters.

Meanwhile, in the world of gaming, gamers are asked to vote for their favorite Metroidvania game. With 7,589 votes, the top contenders are Ori and the Blind Forest, Dead Cells, Hollow Knight, and SteamWorld Dig 2. Something else could also be your favorite.

Rock Paper Shotgun is the home of PC gaming, and signing up and joining the community is a great way to discover strange and compelling PC games.

In this article, we delve into the free release of Star Control 2: The Ur-Quan Masters on Steam, the legacy of the game, and the ongoing contention over the rights to the series. We also take a look at the top Metroidvania games according to the Rock Paper Shotgun community.

Star Control 2: The Ur-Quan Masters was first released in 1992 and quickly gained a cult following due to its unique blend of strategy and exploration. The game’s open-ended nature and vast universe allowed players to explore at their own pace, making discoveries and building alliances with various alien races.

The game’s legacy has been felt in the gaming industry, with many developers citing it as an influence on their work. The upcoming podcast by Pistol Shrimp aims to explore this legacy further, featuring interviews with industry veterans and discussing the impact of Star Control 2 on gaming.

However, the rights to the Star Control series have been a subject of contention between Reiche and Ford, who seem to own the copyright, and Stardock, who bought the rights to the trademark. This led to a long-running legal battle, with both sides making public statements and taking legal action against each other.

The settlement reached by both parties allowed for the free release of Star Control 2: The Ur-Quan Masters on Steam, as well as continued development of Star Control games by both sides. Reiche and Ford are unable to use the Star Control trademark but can use everything else, while Stardock offers technology support to their development.

The upcoming podcast by Pistol Shrimp is an exciting development for fans of the game, offering insights into the legacy of Star Control 2 and its impact on the gaming industry. The podcast will feature interviews with industry veterans, including Tim Cain of Fallout fame, Ken Levine of BioShock, and Chris Remo of Firewatch.

Meanwhile, in the world of gaming, the community at Rock Paper Shotgun is voting for their favorite Metroidvania game. With 7,589 votes, the top contenders are Ori and the Blind Forest, Dead Cells, Hollow Knight, and SteamWorld Dig 2. Something else could also be your favorite.

Metroidvania games are known for their exploration-focused gameplay, allowing players to discover new areas and abilities as they progress through the game. The top contenders in the Rock Paper Shotgun community’s poll offer unique takes on the genre, with Ori and the Blind Forest’s beautiful art style and challenging platforming, Dead Cells’ roguelike elements and fast-paced combat, Hollow Knight’s intricate world design and deep lore, and SteamWorld Dig 2’s steampunk setting and resource management gameplay.

Rock Paper Shotgun is the home of PC gaming, and signing up and joining the community is a great way to discover strange and compelling PC games. With a focus on indie games and developer interviews, Rock Paper Shotgun offers a unique perspective on the world of PC gaming.

In conclusion, the free release of Star Control 2: The Ur-Quan Masters on Steam is an exciting development for fans of the game and a testament to its lasting legacy. The upcoming podcast by Pistol Shrimp promises to offer insights into the game’s impact on the gaming industry and features interviews with industry veterans. Meanwhile, the Rock Paper Shotgun community is voting for their favorite Metroidvania game, with Ori and the Blind Forest, Dead Cells, Hollow Knight, and SteamWorld Dig 2 being the top contenders.

Star Control 2: The Ur-Quan Masters was first released in 1992 and quickly gained a cult following due to its unique blend of strategy and exploration. The game’s open-ended nature and vast universe allowed players to explore at their own pace, making discoveries and building alliances with various alien races. The game’s legacy has been felt in the gaming industry, with many developers citing it as an influence on their work.

The ongoing contention over the rights to the Star Control series between Reiche and Ford, who seem to own the copyright, and Stardock, who bought the rights to the trademark, led to a long-running legal battle. The settlement reached by both parties allowed for the free release of Star Control 2: The Ur-Quan Masters on Steam, as well as continued development of Star Control games by both sides.

The upcoming podcast by Pistol Shrimp is an exciting development for fans of the game, offering insights into the legacy of Star Control 2 and its impact on the gaming industry. The podcast will feature interviews with industry veterans, including Tim Cain of Fallout fame, Ken Levine of BioShock, and Chris Remo of Firewatch.

Meanwhile, in the world of gaming, the community at Rock Paper Shotgun is voting for their favorite Metroidvania game. With 7,589 votes, the top contenders are Ori and the Blind Forest, Dead Cells, Hollow Knight, and SteamWorld Dig 2. Something else could also be your favorite.

Metroidvania games are known for their exploration-focused gameplay, allowing players to discover new areas and abilities as they progress through the game. The top contenders in the Rock Paper Shotgun community’s poll offer unique takes on the genre, with Ori and the Blind Forest’s beautiful art style and challenging platforming, Dead Cells’ roguelike elements and fast-paced combat, Hollow Knight’s intricate world design and deep lore, and SteamWorld Dig 2’s steampunk setting and resource management gameplay.

Rock Paper Shotgun is the home of PC gaming, and signing up and joining the community is a great way to discover strange and compelling PC games. With a focus on indie games and developer interviews, Rock Paper Shotgun offers a unique perspective on the world of PC gaming.

In conclusion, the free release of Star Control 2: The Ur-Quan Masters on Steam is an exciting development for fans of the game and a testament to its lasting legacy. The upcoming podcast by Pistol Shrimp promises to offer insights into the game’s impact on the gaming industry and features interviews with industry veterans. Meanwhile, the Rock Paper Shotgun community is voting for their favorite Metroidvania game, with Ori and the Blind Forest, Dead Cells, Hollow Knight, and SteamWorld Dig 2 being the top contenders. The unique blend of strategy and exploration in Star Control 2: The Ur-Quan Masters has left a lasting impact on the gaming industry, and its legacy continues to be felt in the games and developers that have been influenced by it. The upcoming podcast by Pistol Shrimp and the Rock Paper Shotgun community’s poll offer a glimpse into the world of Star Control 2 and its impact on the gaming industry, making it an exciting time for fans of the game and PC gaming in general.