Kalypso Media announces plans for Galactic Civilizations II: Endless Universe, a standalone third expansion for the strategy sequel due this August that will include the previous two expansions. So just how endless is the universe? "Space is big - really big - you just won't believe how vastly, hugely mind-bogglingly big it is. You may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist, but that's just peanuts to space." Here's the announcement:

The battle for galactic supremacy continues in Endless Universe; the new stand-alone add-on for the acclaimed strategy game Galactic Civilizations II, to be published by Kalypso Media at the end of August 2008. A stand-alone version, it requires no additional purchase and also includes the two previously released add-ons: Dark Avatar and Twilight Of the Arnor.

Galactic Civilizations II is the best selling strategy game in the United States, has received several awards, and spent a number of weeks in the U.S. Top Ten Game Charts. Endless Universe builds on the epic story, following on from Dark Avatar and Twilight of Arnor.

Thanks to Dark Avatar the different races now have multiple characteristics which adds variety and fun during the game. Now, the races range from “super-diplomatist” to “super-destroyer”. Also, Dark Avatar provides the planets with environmental conditions. Thus, the player needs to decide whether he wants to invest into research and development or leave the planet to a hostile player. Furthermore, Dark Avatar presents new scenes, new challenges, asteroids which can be used as mines, new races, and a new version of the spy system.

Further differences in characteristics between the races are provided by Twilight of the Arnor. Here, the player can experience new features, starting with individual developments to race-specific weapons, skills and buildings. In addition, there are sensational improvements to the planets, many new star ships, a much bigger galaxy, and a new soundtrack! On top of that, “Twilight of the Arnor” includes editors for the planets, scenario, and technological development.