Indie developer Zer0sum Games announces StarDrive, a 4X action/strategy game for Windows PC where the player starts with a single planet and a small number of space-worthy vessels with the goal of building a space empire. Word is: "The heart of StarDrive is its ship design and combat engine. StarDrive takes a module-based approach to ship design, allowing the player to create custom ship designs where the composition and placement of ship modules really matters to the performance of a ship in combat. In combat, if your portside armor is taking a beating, then rotate around and show them the starboard side! Hide behind a friendly capital ship's shields, warp into and out of the fray, launch fighters, lay mines, and so much more." The game is being supported by this Kickstarter campaign. Here's a feature list:

• Customize your Race by selecting from a large list of physical traits, socioeconomic traits, and traits relating to your history and tradition
• Deep, module-based ship design as described above
• Lead your forces into battle with your own flagship that you control like an arcade shooter; command your fleets like you would in a real time strategy game with simple mouse commands
• Tactical ground combat to take over enemy planets
• A deep research tree with many dozens of technologies
• Alien Artifacts to find and collect, which give bonuses to your empire
• Rich diplomacy options, allowing you to make and break treaties with alien races; trade technologies and artifacts, sell ships, declare wars, and design joint operations with your allies.
• Finally, MULTIPLAYER. Do this all with your friends online