Brad "Frogboy" from Stardock here. I wanted to give you guys a status report on what's happening with the new Star Control game and Star Control in general that I think you guys are going to like.
First, Stardock plans to actively support the classic Star Control games (1/2 and yes even 3). However, only the continuity created by Paul Reiche and Fred Ford (SC 1/2) will be treated as canon.
What that means is that on StarControl.com next year we're going to be actively promoting and trying to help projects in the classic continuity (which we're tentatively calling the Ur-Quan continuity). Specifically the Ur-Quan Masters and Project 6014. What we hope to do (and it'll happen gradually as there's a lot for our teams to take in) is provide logistical support for these teams.
Secondly, production of the new Star Control game will start this Winter. It's going to use the new Nitrous engine that can do amazing visuals and is being led by a team of industry veterans (mostly from Firaxis and Big Huge Games). The team is very familiar with the Ur-Quan universe to the point where we were debating the dangers of "looking up" as related to the Androsynth.
However, that said, the new Star Control game is going to have a different continuity. We've been talking at length with Paul and Fred and Toys for Bob is now owned by Activision so they wouldn't be able to officially work on a new Star Control game. Since we believe that Paul and Fred determine what is canon in the Ur-Quan continuity, it would be pretty hypocritical for us to create a new Star Control without their official involvement and try to claim what we do is canon.
I know there are people out there that do like Star Control 3. However, at the end of the day, we have to ultimately decide what IS the officially recognized game universe (as far as the publisher is concerned) and we've decided that only the events of Star Control 1/2 count and that distinction is based on Paul and Fred's official involvement in those. I hope people understand we didn't come to that conclusion lightly.
The good news is that this allow the Star Control Ur-Quan continuity to continue to be enjoyed in its classic state without worrying about a latter day developer coming in and changing things.
Now, that said, we also have a tremendous opportunity here because we're all Star Control fanatics and we have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to work with the community to create a new continuity.
The current plan is to start 250,000 years ago with the Precursors and go from there. The only alien race that may be in the new Star Control would be the Orz (they're not from our universe) but that isn't guaranteed because there's no Androsynth and we don't want to bring in the Orz unless we can justify it through the lore.
And finally, early next year we're going to set up a private forum for active members (those who have been part of keeping Star Control alive all these years) so that they'll have direct access to us. This will also include a Skype channel.
Anyway, I know this is a lot to take in. And to be honest, I'm still in the process of learning the ins and outs of the Star Control community so please be patient with any unintentional incompetence.
