Summary
- Star Trek: Infinite, a strategy game from Paradox Interactive and Nimble Giant Entertainment, shows that the studio's formula works within an established IP like Star Trek.
- With its emphasis on warfare, factions, scientific research, and diplomatic relations, Star Wars would be a perfect fit for a similar strategy game like Stellaris.
- If Star Trek: Infinite is successful, it opens the possibility for Paradox Interactive to explore the potential of creating a Star Wars strategy game that captures the essence of the franchise.
Over the years, Paradox Interactive has cemented itself as one of the premiere strategy game studios. Players have fallen in love with the likes of Stellaris and Crusader Kings 3 as well as the many published games within its catalog. And while it has mostly stayed within the realm of original IP, that seems to be changing this month with the release of Star Trek: Infinite. Alongside Nimble Giant Entertainment, the publisher is preparing to delve into the wonderful world of Star Trek, and hopefully it is worth the wait.
While Star Trek: Infinite is not being developed by Paradox Development Studio, it looks to be a Paradox strategy game in all but name. Because of this, if it is a success, then it will show players that the studio's strategy formula works within the confines of a pre-established IP. So, it would only make sense for the studio to explore that potential further with all sorts of different franchises, and one of the best ones for it would probably be the Star Wars series.
Star Wars Would Fit Paradox's Mold Fantastically
Star Trek: Infinite will be taking the world of Star Trek to a Stellaris-like game this October. It seems to have all the hallmarks of that title but with a Star Trek skin attached, which should lead to a very interesting game. While that IP may not be the perfect fit for a war-focused strategy game, the studio is streamlining and manipulating Stellaris' many systems to ensure it maintains that Trek feel. And if it is able to do that successfully, then it should be given the chance to do that with the biggest sci-fi franchise around.
Unlike Star Trek, Star Wars is all about the warfare. Countless factions have been warring for a slice of the galaxy far, far away ever since A New Hope, and they will likely continue to for years to come. Viewers have watched as the Rebellion took on the Empire, they have witnessed every corner of The Clone Wars, and they recently got to see the First Order take on the Resistance. These wars are not reserved for these big conflicts either as shows like Book of Boba Fett and The Mandalorian have featured many smaller-scale conflicts that have also helped shape the galaxy.
Since Star Wars is all about conflict, it is the perfect candidate for a Stellaris-like experience. Paradox could bring players to the Star Wars' galaxy, have them lead one of the many factions vying for power, and then set them loose to carve their own path. It could even take it a step further by letting players build their own unique Star Wars faction, so they could truly tell their own story.
Star Wars also deals a lot with scientific research, diplomatic relations, and discovery. On top of that, it includes a wide assortment of unique ships and characters that are just waiting to be shown off. That sounds like almost everything players would expect from a strategy game, so now someone just has to make one. As long as it stayed true to the Star Wars feel, it could be a fantastic game for fans to enjoy.
Already, Star Wars has proven that it can work within the strategy genre thanks to Empire at War. However, it has been a while since anyone has tried to replicate that experience again, though Respawn is reportedly producing a Star Wars strategy game, too. While it remains to be seen if Star Trek: Infinite actually works, if it does, then Star Wars feels like the obvious next step.
Star Trek: Infinite will be available on October 12 on PC.