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A third beta has initiated for Iron Clad Games’ entry into the RTS/4x (or RT4x) gaming genre, Sins Of A Solar Empire. The space setting game is sort of a Homeworld meets Galactic Civilizations II, sporting some extremely gorgeous graphics.
According to the Sins Of A Solar Empire website, Beta 3 (starting yesterday) will be available to anyone pre-ordering the game prior September 26th. Gamers can pre-order Sins Of A Solar Empire via Stardock’s TotalGaming.net.

So there’s still plenty of time to get in on the beta. It’s even testing multiplayer this round. The game certainly looks to be an insta-hit with the 4x and RTS crowd. Let’s hope these extensive betas squash all those pesky little bugs in time for an early 2008 release.
You can read more about the details of Beta 3 after the break.

Multiplayer-Enabled Sins Beta 3 Blasts Off Thursday
Pre-Order Customers Gain Immediate Access to Beta Test of Anticipated Space Strategy Game
Stardock Entertainment and Ironclad Games announced today that the upcoming Beta 3 of Sins of a Solar Empire, which begins on September 20th, will introduce multiplayer functionality and a host of other new features to the RT4X space-strategy game. Gamers who pre-order before September 26th will gain immediate access to Sins of a Solar Empire Beta 3, allowing them to vie for galactic supremacy with their friends via LAN and Ironclad Online (ICO). Players can pre-order Sins of a Solar Empire now via the world’s most user-friendly digital-distribution service, TotalGaming.net.

Scheduled for release in February 2008, Sins of a Solar Empire is one of the year’s most anticipated PC games. Hailed by GameSpot as “remarkably original” and “an elegant take on space strategy,” Sins of a Solar Empire puts players in charge of one of three distinct factions as they explore star systems, expand their empire, exploit conquered planets and exterminate their rivals, all in an intuitive real-time environment. The game’s unprecedented scale allows players to zoom from a view of multiple solar systems right down to a single fighter in the midst of a massive space battle, while the sophisticated interface ensures they’re not overwhelmed by their vast empire. Stunning visuals and remarkable artificial intelligence are among a massive number of features that help immerse players in this innovative strategy game that had PC Gamer warning its readers to “Expect to play into the wee hours of the night (and enjoy it).”

Features of Sins of a Solar Empire Beta 3 include:
Multiplayer for up to 10 players via LAN or Ironclad Online (ICO), as well as 14 custom maps to accommodate various multiplayer game types
New artifact/planet exploration system allowing players to spend resources to have analysts and scientists survey a planet’s geography, indigenous wildlife, and core industries to determine how best to exploit the natural wealth of the planet
Introduction of the ominous Pirate Base, all new pirate ships and new pirate behavior allowing players to influence pirate factions by economic means through new additions to the Bounty System
New environmental features, including space anomalies, a new planet type and planetoids that factor heavily into players’ tactical choices and overall strategies
The revolutionary Smart Zoom to Cursor camera, upgrades to the cultural system that allow players to intimidate enemies with capital ships, improved research mechanics, tons of new artwork, and many more improvements, updates and fixes

Via SinsOfASolarEmpire