he ultimate multi-player, space strategy conquest game for Microsoft Windows

  New universe generated for each game, no two can ever be the same.

  Choose from dozens of major and minor racial attributes.

  Define universe size, density and starting player positions.

  Play solo against AIs (computer players) or with any combination of up to 15 other humans and AIs.

  Choose from over 2 dozen hulls and almost 200 ship specific technologies. The 'Ship Builder' lets you easily design and change specialized starships.

  Over 220 complex tech items including Stargates, Wormholes, Exotic Engines, Minefields, Mass Drivers, Gattling Beam Cannons and Terraforming Bombs, Devious Cloaks, Shield Sappers, Battle Computers, Anti-Matter Generators, Orbital Terraforming Devices, Orbital Forts, Spacedocks, Armed Starbases.... and then there's the Mystery Trader technology -- too funky to describe.

  Extensive Online Player's Guide. A massive resource for the beginning and advanced Stars! player. Get the right help when you need it.

  In Stars!, an important part of game strategy is in designing a race. The Custom Race Wizard allows you to choose from 6 predefined races or create a custom race based on one of the six.

  Flexible Ways to Play. Play alone against the AI's, hot seat with friends on one machine, through your LAN, within a BBS or submit turns over the Internet by e-mail.

  Turn-based versus Online. Play friends around the globe as easily as those across the hall. Since Stars! players don't need to be online at the same time you have the freedom to play people with different schedules and in different time zones or play on a LAN and become Emporer of the local Cubicle Universe.

  Tedious Tasks are Automated. Some micromanagement is fun, but too much is a drag. Stars! automates just enough to free you to focus on strategy and having fun without taking away the level of control that makes the strategy challenging..

  Complex, Honest Computer Opponents. The AI's in Stars! don't cheat. They can't. So when you're playing solo against the game, or include one or more in a multi-player game, you get a complex, balanced opponent worthy of your time. Each AI is based on a different race design so you have a variety of strategies to deal with.

  Hundreds Of Full-Colour Graphics. Stars! is packed with great graphics that illustrate planet and ship types and technology levels without getting in the way of game play.

  Dynamic, Flexible Interface. Control every detail of your empire using an intuitive Windows style interface. Choose from three basic layouts to best suit your screen size and resolution. Most of the screen elements can be rearranged, collapsed and resized to display information the way you want it and keep vital controls at your fingertips.

NB In the USA, Stars! now comes as a two CD double pack (ideal for challenging a friend.)