Ceres is now available for Windows, OS X, and Linux on Steam, offering the chance to command a fleet of ships in strategic space combat. This update from the developer explains how this grew in scope from a simple Homeworld knock-off to something far more ambitious, and how a publishing deal with Iceberg saved the project from certain failure. Here's a recent trailer and here's a bit on the game:

Humans and their machines live on: pockets of civilization have gathered into warring factions. Many adventurers roam the cold wastes in their spaceships, defying death and perils unknown -there are countless tales of monstrous machines and alien creatures preying on hapless ships. Real menaces or mere fantasies ? Who can now part the myth from the ever-changing reality ?

In a world where humans, monsters and machine-gods fight for survival, something will eventually have to give. You play the role of a young adventurer, who just got his hands on his first spaceship, and is determined to make a name for himself. A routine scouting mission turns out to be something much greater when you encounter an A.I. called Ceres.