Matrix Games announces that Armada 2526 is now available, offering a space-based strategy game designed by R.T. Smith, of the Total War series. Here are a batch of Armada 2526 screenshots, and this trailer and this trailer on the YouTube show off the game in action, while there are more details and links to purchase the game on its official product section. Also, the first patch for the game is now available to update it to version 1.01, which is apparently for the retail version (the Matrix Games edition ships at version 1.01); this patch can be found on AtomicGamer, The Patches Scrolls, and Worthplaying. Here's word:

In Armada 2526, you guide your race from its first interstellar journeys, until it becomes a mighty galactic empire. Along the way, you'll explore the galaxy, conduct research, diplomacy and trade, found new colonies, maneuver mighty star fleets, and fight epic battles. Create bustling colonies on foreign worlds to build powerful fleets, construct advanced buildings and research facilities that will help you master space and defend your civilization! In a close race for victory, alliances forged through bartering and good will can help tip the balance of power in your favor as alien empires seek power and glory at your expense.

Powerful tutorial and advisor features help any would-be galactic commander get up to speed quickly, and with endless possible strategies Armada 2526 offers many different strategies to best your alien foes.

Unlike many games in this genre, Armada 2526 focuses on providing a game that can be finished in a reasonable time and emphasizes decisive strategy over micro-management. Armada 2526 was also design from the ground up with the AI in mind and it can use all the features of the game that are available to the human player. The result is a much stronger opponent than in many other games and Armada 2526 can scale from small 2 player skirmishes to enormous galaxies with dozens of alien factions, up to the maximum your hardware can handle.