A lot of what has been discussed here has been discussed a great deal before.
It boils down to whether you think Star Control is a story is a story about the Ur-Quan, Spathi, etc. or whether you think Star Control is a game about the Earthlings exploring the galaxy and dealing with a crazy cast of alien characters.
I am in the latter. I didn't like Star Control 3 but it is, most definitely, a Star Control game.
The best solution, given the realities, is giving Star Conrol 1/2 their own universe and giving Star Control 3 a totally different universe within the overall multiverse. By setting this precedent, we open the door for many stories to exist within the Star Control multiverse when fans and others start adding their creations to the multiverse. And by doing this, we leave the door open for Paul and Fred to continue their arc. Even if Stardock had Paul and Fred's blessing, we wouldn't use the original lore as only Paul and Fred can continue their story.
It's been 24 years since Star Control 2. I think most people, and we know this from having spent a lot of time thinking about this, want a new Star Control game where, to them, Star Control is broadly a sandbox universe of exploration and adventuring.
I want everyone to read this.
By this logic, we can take out the Mario Bros., replace them with giant robots that jump up and down on things, call them "Pancho Sanza" and "Chez Guevara" and still call it "Mario Bros.' because it's about the STYLE of gameplay. I mean, there is nothing iconic about it, nothing deeper that goes with the name, amirite? I mean, Star Control was just a name given to the command center for the Alliance of Free Stars...
This is called being not only deceptive but lazy. It's likely they don't want to have anything to do with Fred and Paul, thinking the old games are too anachronistic to even care about.
If you wanted humans exploring space, there are LOTS of games with that motif. Mass Effect, FTL, Commander Keen, Universe Sandbox, Star Wars, Star Trek, Homeworld, Halcyon 6, and the list goes on. But according to you, these are all STAR CONTROL... Even your own game, Galciv is now Star Control. You are a liar.
And don't get me started on the top-down space combat either. Old news and lots of games have done it like Escape Velocity, and Fractal Softworks' developing game Star Sector, which is FAR closer to being a spiritual sequel to Star Control then this rag.
Seriously, you should have put the extra effort in, brought Paul and Fred in, and made something real. Right now, you are behaving like EA Games without the financial clout.
