Oh, therefore making it more accessible to non-niche-loving gamers?
Exactly.

What else?
The other main area of expansion has been in the diplomacy areas of the game. Now there's scope for players to spy on other races, forge alliances and set up trade networks. Naturally, all these agreements will go out the window once you're strong enough to out-gun a former ally and take over all their stuff...

Naturally. What else is in the game then?
You've got your usual research options, hundreds of different kinds of ships to build and epic space battles to get involved in.

But what does it offer the solo player?
The developers liken the solo game experience (there are some 25-30 single-player missions) to playing Alpha Centauri and Civilization-type games. It's in multiplayer mode (in which up to 16 people can participate on either a LAN or over the Internet) that the game's going to really shine, though.

Sounds groovy. But haven't we seen it all before?
It's not the most original of games, but all the new additions, especially the diplomacy, should make for a very enjoyable experience. We're certainly looking forward to going where no man's gone before.

Oh good grief.
Sorry.

Do say...
Excuse me, Mr Uberbeing, would you help me duff up the Earthlings?

Don't say...
We come in peace