Here's a Kickstarter for Timothy Zahn's Parallax, a retro 4X space strategy game by Prototype X Software and acclaimed science fiction author Timothy Zahn (thanks Ant via Slashdot). They are looking to raise at least a half-million dollars, and here's why:

Parallax will be a turn-based strategy game in keeping with the classic 4X genre (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate). The player, as the leader of a fledgling interstellar civilization, will direct just about every aspect of their civilization’s development, including galactic exploration, expansion of the empire, exploitation of resources and technologies, and extermination of any competitors that refuse to join their empire.

It will be a 2D, almost retro-style game, that will be available on multiple platforms: cell phones, tablets and PC and (if possible) some of the console game systems. Because it needs to run on a cell phone, the graphics will be fairly simple, and the focus will be on making it a fun, interesting experience, with interactive storytelling taking top priority.

Timothy Zahn will be co-creating the game, and bringing 5 of his favorite aliens along for the ride: the Zhirrzh from The Conquerors [Trilogy], the Qanska from Manta's Gift, the Kalixiri from The Icarus Hunt, the Modhri from the Quadrail series, and the Pom from Spinerret. We're also creating two all-new alien races just for this game, and the backers will help define the details and bring them to life. In fact, every single backer gets to be part of the game creation process, from the beginning, right up until the game is finished.