The patch version is 1.5.0.8 and introduces AI improvements such as AI fleet handling, invasions, colonization and research aspects. The update includes also a big list of bug fixes and enhancements affecting colony balance and diplomacy.

Note that Distant Worlds – Return of the Shakturi requires that you have the original Distant Worlds game.

Download the patch from here. You can find the detailed list of changes of this new patch, all the changes since the latest 1.5.0.1, here.

For more information regarding Distant Worlds have a look into my Distant Worlds review and into an article about Return of the Shakturi. You can find additional information about Distant Worlds here. Find the DW discussions in the DW official forums.

Note that I did the DW review upon the original version of the game, the released version, so the score is significantly lower than the actual game current value. DW is much better now after patches and especially after the release of the Return of the Shakturi expansion. I highly recommend you have a look at Distant Worlds (with the Shakturi expansion) at the stage it is now.

This update provides engine improvements (better memory handling and increased performance), AI tweaks, improved Pirate system and updated  gameplay balance for all the factions (TEC, Advent and Vasari) based on player feedback. Checkout the comprehensive SoaSE Trinity v1.2 patch change log.

To play and update Sins of a Solar Empire Trinity Impulse is required. With Impulse, you purchase the game and can immediately download and install it through the Impulse client. Games become part of your account such that when you purchase a new machine, you simply re-download the Impulse client, logon to your account and re-download all your purchases, even years into the future.

For more details and review of this great game checkout the SpaceSector’s article “Sins of a Solar Empire – Trinity – Review“.

The story goes that the company run out of budget during game development and to be able to finish the game they had no choice than to release it in 21st of August 2010 to be able to do some cash in. Since then they have been very active, releasing patch after patch.

At the time of release I did a review of Star Ruler (v1.0.0.6). Let’s say that the game was not spectacular by then.

Yesterday Blind Mind Studios released a new patch (v1.0.5.0). You can see where and how to download it here.

Checkout the full patch change log and check the patch presentation video below.

See what the community is saying about the patch in this forum thread.

Try the demo here.

Major Changes: Full Changelog

Blind Mind Studios has also released a new Star Ruler Trailer (the Official Release Trailer). This is a good source to take a look at the game an witness it’s massive scale.

Patch v1.0.3 major changes

• Extensive memory usage optimization. Large games now consume much less memory which should resolve the crashes related to Out of Memory and crashes during save/load.
• Added an AutoSave feature with a variable save interval between 10 and 60 minutes.
• Fleets now respond properly to manual control and will not automatically disband
• Added new buttons in the Fleets screen: Repair and Refuel selected fleet, Retrofit selected fleet
• Several interface and functionality improvements including how retrofitting and ship design works.

For more information on v1.0.3 patch check Matrix Games’s Distant Worlds Gets Another Major Update and the following patch v1.0.3 forum thread.

Patch v1.0.2 major changes

This new v1.0.2 update resolves all critical and a few serious issues that were discovered in the week after the release, including an issue that could cause negative cash flow in the economy as well as several different bugs that could cause crashes on some system configurations.

For more information on v1.0.2 patch check Matrix Games’s Distant Worlds Gets An Important Update.

Download the Patches

Get the Distant Worlds patch v1.0.2.

Get the Distant Worlds patch v1.0.3.

You can buy Distant Worlds from Matrix Games Store.