The Stellaris Spinoff Nobody Expected

Released in 2016 by Paradox Interactive and continually updated since, Stellaris is by now a well-established 4X and strategy game that allows players to take control of a custom (or premade) empire that has just discovered FTL technology, and carve out your own galactic empire using a variety of different approaches, be it brazen military might, deft diplomacy or cunning subterfuge and manipulation.

Stellaris isn't just about galactic empire building though, a large part of the game is focused on exploration. Players can survey previously uncharted star systems and discover anomalies or alien archeological sites, which can uncover interesting mini-stories that help to make each playthrough unique, as well as technological boons or rare and powerful relics. 

A new title, Ghost Signal, is looking to focus more on the exploration side of Stellaris. It is a rogue-lite game, which will be played in VR on the Meta Quest 2 system, where players will be tasked with tracking down the mysterious Ghost Signal, something which will probably be familiar to veteran Stellaris players. 

This Stellaris spinoff is being developed by Fast Travel Games, and is expected to release in early 2023. 

In Ghost Signal, you will be in control of a ship called the Aurora. Over the course of a playthrough, you will be able to visit distant alien homeworlds and trade with the inhabitants, conduct research, and defeat enemy armadas to earn loot. This loot can include power-ups, missiles and even your own pet space dragon. The game will feature asynchronous multiplayer, allowing you to scavenge the deserted ships of other players for valuable items. You can use the items and technologies gained via these methods to upgrade your ship.

The game map will be randomized to make each playthrough unique, and there will also be daily challenges with leaderboards to climb, for players who have a competitive streak. 

Going by the Youtube comments on the official announcement trailer, fan reaction to Ghost Signal is mostly positive, however there was some disappointment aired about the choice of platform, with players expressing their hope that the title later releases on more VR platforms besides the Meta Quest 2. 

This caps off what has been an eventful month for Stellaris, with the Toxoids DLC also releasing for the main game last week.