Speculations about Utopia and other DLC

[Teksorz]

I have played Stellaris since it came out, and I must admit, I am getting somewhat bored with the current state of the game. That being said, I am hyped for Utopia as it seems like it will bring a lot of much needed upgrades to the current game. A big question I have, as I am somewhat impatient, is when Utopia will finally be released. And, on that note, what we can expect to see in regards to other DLCs that will follow Utopia. I am curious to hear what you guys think.

 

[PalmettoExplorer14]

Hm...It's possible that future DLCs might focus on things like creating a Space United Nations or even the use of biological and chemical weapons (along with the diplomatic fallout you get from using them, just like what happens in the Master of Orion series!).

Other possibilities are things like additional outfits or more namelists!

 

[Teksorz]

Hm...It's possible that future DLCs might focus on things like creating a Space United Nations or even the use of biological and chemical weapons (along with the diplomatic fallout you get from using them, just like what happens in the Master of Orion series!).

Other possibilities are things like additional outfits or more namelists!

I would like to see some expansion to the government types. Also, maybe something akin to Reaper's Due. Where you can create diseases to specifically target certain races, or as an event one of your ships gets corrupted and has a chance to spread a space plague to your empire.

 

[Jerev]

There is no release date for Utopia.
During streams Wiz said that combat mechanics need work in form of a major patch. In that case I would bet that we would see a rework and rebalancing of space combat while ground combat will be completely redone.

 

[Hauntmachine]

I'm going to use "The Journey Ahead" dev diary #50 as a basis for what I'm guessing will come in future dlc.

"
What (Paradox) want's:

• Fleshing out the mid- and lategame through the addition of more interesting narratives and 'galactic events' akin to Awakened Fallen Empires that shake up the galactic scene.
• Improving the internal workings of empires, making pops and leaders more interesting, and making empires feel more alive.
• Expanding on the ethics system, creating more unique playstyles and enhancing roleplaying."

Utopia already includes the second and third, and it's possible that Ascending can cause the first to happen if you're not careful.

Things that they said they wanted to be in the game:

• Ship appearance that differs for each empire, so no two empires' ships look exactly the same. (Gottem, colour change)
• More story events and reactive narratives that give a sense of an unfolding story as you play. (Gottem, paths of Ascendancy)
• More potential for empire customization, ability to build competitive 'tall' empires. (Gottem, megastructures)
• Deeper Federations that start out as loose alliances and can eventually be turned into single states through diplomatic manuevering. (Don't Gottem)
• Ability to set rights and obligations for particular species in your empire. (Gottem)
• Global food that can be shared between planets. (Gottem)
• Superweapons and planet killers. (Don't Gottem)
• Ability to construct space habitats and ringworlds. (Gottem)
• More interesting mechanics for pre-FTL civilizations. (*Sort of* Gottem. Indoctrination)
• Factions that are proper interest groups with specific likes and dislikes and the potential to be a benefit to an empire instead of just being rebels. (Gottem)
• A 'galactic community' with interstellar politics and a 'space UN'. (Don't Gottem)
• Buildable Dreadnoughts and Titans. (Don't Gottem)

Just from this list alone, I would guess that we've got a dlc/expansion that will focus on diplomacy and federations (as well as the Galactic U.N.) and an expansion that will focus on the military system (with the dlc adding in player buildable dreadnoughts/titans.)

Further down the road could include an actual trade/economy system.

 

[Teksorz]

I'm going to use "The Journey Ahead" dev diary #50 as a basis for what I'm guessing will come in future dlc.

"
What (Paradox) want's:

• Fleshing out the mid- and lategame through the addition of more interesting narratives and 'galactic events' akin to Awakened Fallen Empires that shake up the galactic scene.
• Improving the internal workings of empires, making pops and leaders more interesting, and making empires feel more alive.
• Expanding on the ethics system, creating more unique playstyles and enhancing roleplaying."

Utopia already includes the second and third, and it's possible that Ascending can cause the first to happen if you're not careful.

Things that they said they wanted to be in the game:

• Ship appearance that differs for each empire, so no two empires' ships look exactly the same. (Gottem, colour change)
• More story events and reactive narratives that give a sense of an unfolding story as you play. (Gottem, paths of Ascendancy)
• More potential for empire customization, ability to build competitive 'tall' empires. (Gottem, megastructures)
• Deeper Federations that start out as loose alliances and can eventually be turned into single states through diplomatic manuevering. (Don't Gottem)
• Ability to set rights and obligations for particular species in your empire. (Gottem)
• Global food that can be shared between planets. (Gottem)
• Superweapons and planet killers. (Don't Gottem)
• Ability to construct space habitats and ringworlds. (Gottem)
• More interesting mechanics for pre-FTL civilizations. (*Sort of* Gottem. Indoctrination)
• Factions that are proper interest groups with specific likes and dislikes and the potential to be a benefit to an empire instead of just being rebels. (Gottem)
• A 'galactic community' with interstellar politics and a 'space UN'. (Don't Gottem)
• Buildable Dreadnoughts and Titans. (Don't Gottem)

Just from this list alone, I would guess that we've got a dlc/expansion that will focus on diplomacy and federations (as well as the Galactic U.N.) and an expansion that will focus on the military system (with the dlc adding in player buildable dreadnoughts/titans.)

Further down the road could include an actual trade/economy system.

Maybe a way to change the symbol color from only being gold. Add silver, bronze, black, etc.

 

[Ramiel]

Utopia/Banks big focus is on internal empire dynamics. I fully expect the next two updates/expansions to focus on external (non-combat) empire dynamics and warfare, in either order. The former would hit things like an expanded diplomatic system, expanded federation mechanics, possibly other alliance systems, etc. I would also hope that some form of interstellar trade system would fit in there. The latter would hit on combat rebalance, some sort of fix to doomstacks, actually usable military stations, revamped ground combat, perhaps doomsday and planet destroying weapons, etc. I could also see some form of espionage mechanics fitting into either one of those. Of course those are just core ideas, each one would also include all sorts of things I can't even imagine at the moment. Really not sure which one I'd like to see first.
Three big patches/expansions, covering the three core areas of Stellaris gameplay. With that, I'd consider the 'core' game fully finished and fleshed-out. Looking really long-term I'd then hope to see a focus on more events and other dynamic content, especially mid- and late-game ones. Second round of anomalies, more colony events, new end-game crises, etc.

 

[Arnovitz]

Diplomacy is going to be a key development. This ties in with the need for an espionage system and a galactic council. My perception of this is something like the planetary council from Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri which could forbid or encourage certain things (e.g., ethics, tech, uplifting) for those choosing to join it. Empires outside or expelled from the council might have an incentive to ally and disband the council (think HRE). Spying needs it's place as well. Right now, there is no reason an empire on the other side of the galaxy should know I am purging the native inhabitants of a pre-FTL civilization in my territory.

Combat mechanics will need fixed. Not sure what direction this will take, but clearly the game is very much oriented toward doomstacks and decisive battles. I wouldn't be surprised to see a redesign of the FTL system. For instance, maybe everyone starts with hyperlanes, can research warp, and finally wormholes. There is a strategic element missing from the game right now. Some of this has luckily been fixed by global food allowing you to blockade agriculture planets and choke off an enemy.

Might I also suggest something akin to world wonders? It seems like the ability to construct a galaxy unique item (e.g., universal translator, virtual sensorium, trade nexus) might benefit those choosing to build tall. This would make them attractive targets for conquering as well.

 

[Hyomoto]

So, everyone wants to know when Utopia is coming out. Let's speculate! The most recent dev diary was on ethics, the next on government, and we need at least two more for the two other ascendancy paths. So, three developer diaries plus a token recap/round-up the week before makes four weeks and would put it at the end of March. I don't think Paradox would have made the announcement otherwise unless it was within a three month window. That's my guess.

As for the future, I think everyone knows combat and diplomacy overhauls are next. So far the patch cycle has been small patch/big patch ( combining Clarke/Asimov as one ), so after Utopia I'd expect a balancing patch with a few new features alongside a meaty but small DLC, perhaps Dreadnoughts and Titans, followed by a larger diplomatic and federation overhaul which will lead to the next major expansion that includes the much awaited combat overhaul. Even though it's silly to guess that far ahead, it really isn't that absurd. Unless Utopia turns out to be a total turd, these are just next on the list of stuff they want to do.