Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to advance and integrate into various aspects of business, decision-makers at the highest levels face the complex task of determining where AI can be most effectively utilized and where the human touch remains irreplaceable. This series seeks to explore the nuanced decisions made by C-Suite executives regarding the implementation of AI in their operations. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Brad Wardell.

by Kieran Powell, EVP of Channel V Media

Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?

Sure thing. I started the company to pay for college until I could get a “real” job. After building PCs with IBM’s OS/2, I really got into what was possible with programs that could multitask within themselves — something we call multithreading now. I decided to learn how to program and make a game in which computer opponents could “think” while the human player was making their moves. From there on, I was hooked on being able to use technology to make cool stuff for people.

It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Over the 30 years I’ve made so many mistakes it’s hard to narrow it down! Even the name of our company was unintentional.

The legal name of our company is Stardock Systems. It happened because I was paying for college by building PCs for people and when I went to order parts, they asked for the name of my company. I frantically looked around and the hardcover book I was reading had a chapter entitled “Stardock”. So, I blurted “Stardock…Systems!” and that name stuck.

Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people? . . . read the entire article here.

As a developer of productivity software and video games inPlymouth Township, Stardock Systems Inc. is no longer ‘themost famous company you’ve never heard of.

by Ronald Ahrens

One day last spring, Brad Wardell found himself in suburban Baltimore for some meetings when he joked about video conferencing being bad for his step count. Wardell, founder, president, and CEO of Stardock Systems Inc. in Plymouth Township, was visiting Oxide Games, a Stardock subsidiary in Timonium, Md. Along with representatives of Microsoft, he was there to help finalize Oxide’s “new, big title” that Microsoft would publish in the fall. But it didn’t necessarily mean he would circulate within Oxide’s expansive headquarters.

“Unfortunately for my waistline, it’s actually easier to do a lot of these meetings as if remote, even when we’re in the same building,” Wardell says. . . read the full article here.

'We're the most famous company you've never heard of': A conversation with Michigan's oldest video game developer

By Anna Fifelski

Brad Wardell, 52, founded Stardock Corp. in 1991 as an undergraduate student at Western Michigan University. Decades later, it is the largest software and video game development company in Michigan. Later this year, Stardock will release the fourth version of its simulation game, The Political Machine, as well as an expansion for Galactic Civilizations IV and additional downloadable content. The company has over 30 games on the market as of 2024 and, due to its success, has owned its own building in Plymouth since 2006 after moving out of a leased space.... read the entire article here.

Stardock’s award-winning turn-based strategy game series gets its biggest release ever 

Buy Now:  Steam  |  Epic

Stardock announced the release of Galactic Civilizations IV: Supernova Edition (Supernova) today.  Stardock is celebrating its 30-year anniversary this month with the sequel to the game that started the company back in 1993. 

“This is, by far, the biggest game release we’ve ever done,” said Brad Wardell, founder and CEO of Stardock who returned to design Galactic Civilizations IV: Supernova after handing the reigns to others for Galactic Civilizations III and Galactic Civilizations IV: base game. “We’ve been so fortunate to be able work with our fans to create something that we think strategy game players are going to really appreciate.  You can really tell the love and care that we’ve put into this release.” 

The game takes place shortly after humanity has discovered faster-than-light travel. Earth has united and the stars await.  The player takes on the role of a civilization's leader (Earth or one of the many alien civilizations) to expand their species into the universe and contend with competing civilizations who are doing the same. 

Supernova introduces many firsts for PC gaming including AlienGPT, a generative AI technology trained on Stardock’s own art portfolio that allows players to describe their own custom civilization, and generates not just what the civilization looks like, but its background, lore, galactic events and interactions with other civilizations. 

Other new features include Terror Stars, a new end game technology that causes enemy stars to go Supernova, a new mission system, an interactive tutorial, new victory paths, a new core neutral AI opponent system, a host of new alien civilizations with their own tech trees to play as or against, an artifact Vault and hundreds of other additions and enhancements. 

“Having done a lot of games in early access over the years, we’ve never had a game receive the kind of positive, enthusiastic response this has,” said Wardell. “With the community, we’ve taken a top to bottom look at how strategy games in 2023 should play and made dramatic improvements as a result. In the past couple of years, the ability to collaborate online has really changed, which has fundamentally altered the way we make games, and the end results are clearly on display in Supernova.” 

Stardock has also enhanced the modding and multiplayer functionality in Supernova.  Cooperative multiplayer has been added and a new integrated modding system lets players upload their own factions, starship designs and more. 

Galactic Civilizations IV: Supernova can be found on Steam and Epic. Epic customers can upgrade from Galactic Civilizations IV to Supernova at a discount. The list price is $49.99. 

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion v1.98 introduces extended ranges, refined abilities, and more. Forge alliances, sharpen your tactics, and rise as the ultimate cosmic conqueror.

Get Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion now

Enhanced Firepower and Tactical Tweaks

Anti-fighter frigates from the TEC, Advent, and Vasari factions now come with extended weapon ranges, enabling you to engage enemies from a greater distance. Abilities have been adjusted, including the TEC Light Frigate's Sabotage Antimatter ability, which now has a longer cooldown and a more impactful effect.

Faction Dynamics and Tactical Mastery

Faction dynamics have been fine-tuned for a more balanced experience. The Advent Deliverance Engine now capitalizes on stacked allegiance effects, giving your faction a stronger edge. Additionally, the TEC Akkan's Armistice ultimate ability has been upgraded to halt passive regeneration.

Unlocking Challenges and Starbase Refinements

TEC Supply Pact now requires Basic Provisioning technology to unlock. Meanwhile, the Self Destruct ability of TEC starbases has been revamped with a longer delay, adjusted range, and modified damage, adding a new layer of strategy.

Galactic Harmony and Balance

Even amidst the vast expanse of space, balance is crucial. The Unstable Gas Pockets modifier has been recalibrated to leave strikecraft unaffected, ensuring a fair playing field.

Forge alliances, sharpen your tactics, and rise as the ultimate cosmic conqueror.

Get Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion now

v1.98 Changelog:

[confluence title=""]https://stardock.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/SDEnt/pages/1558020152/Sins+of+a+Solar+Empire+Rebellion+v1.98+Change+Log[/confluence]