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The first DLC for the space grand strategy title lets players put down roots, introducing the plant phenotype to the mix of playable species.

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The Plantoid Species Pack is a purely cosmetic addition that adds several new portraits, new art for civilian and military ships and cities. You take a look at the new portraits here. They look pretty great and it’s a definitely different vibe than the other phenotypes already available in the base game.

I’ve already sunk in close to 100 hours in Stellaris and would have preferred something a little more, err, meaty – something that affected gameplay – for a first expansion. Having your greens is good for you but, even so, I’m not the type that usually gets cosmetic packs until they’re on sale. That said, the patching and refinement of the game is ongoing and hopefully we’ll be getting more free improvements soon. Paradox have a long term road map for the game, including at least two upcoming major patches with features based on community feedback, so it sounds like Stellaris players will have plenty of fresh incentive to keep coming back to the game.

Edit to the original article: There's also a small patch that's been released alongside the DLC. Additionally the lead developer has teased a new victory mode for the upcoming big patch.

You can grab the Plantoid Species pack through Paradox’s Store or directly through Steam. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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Mountain Man Aug 4, 2016
"...would have preferred something a little more, err, meaty – something that affected gameplay – for a first expansion."

To be fair, this isn't an expansion. It's cosmetic DLC. They're sure to release meatier content in the future.
BTRE Aug 4, 2016
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@Mountain Man - It's definitely an expansion in the sense of more stuff for a base product; anything else is just a distinction made for marketing purposes. Don't get me started on how meaningless terms like "Free DLC" are because technically all patches are exclusively downloadable these days and often bring in free content in the case of PDS :P

I've also added mention of the small patch that came along the DLC since I forgot to mention it as well as mention of an example of what's coming in a future update.
Mountain Man Aug 4, 2016
They are not words without distinction. "Downloadable content" traditionally refers to minor things like skins, sprites, and maps. "Expansion pack" traditionally refers to substantial content, such as an entirely new story quest in an RPG, or significant additions or changes to the gameplay.

Yes, all of these are technically "downloadable content" since in this day and age it's content that you download, but language isn't always literal. There's some nuance here.

At any rate, Paradox looks to be taking the route of beefing the game up with free patches before releasing any expansions.


Last edited by Mountain Man on 4 August 2016 at 3:15 pm UTC
Leerdeck Aug 4, 2016
7,99€? For a cosmetic dlc? I know that the artists put work into this and I don't expect such things for free.. But I must say I will wait for a reduced price. 8€ for offered content is too much in my opinion.
BTRE Aug 4, 2016
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Quoting: Leerdeck7,99€? For a cosmetic dlc? I know that the artists put work into this and I don't expect such things for free.. But I must say I will wait for a reduced price. 8€ for offered content is too much in my opinion.

Yeah, it could be a bit lower, I agree. And it'll cost them some goodwill. But it's a lot of work put in when you consider that it's like an extra 6th of the game art content-wise when you factor in all the different ship types, modules and so forth they added. The devs have more nuanced explanation in this thread. Thankfully the nature of the modular DLC model means that you can pick and choose what you feel is worth it and vote with your wallet.

Quoting: Mountain ManThere's some nuance here.
Indeed there is - and if you can't see how me calling something that expands available content an "expansion" and not even following it up with the word "pack" is a distinction nor how the terminology used in marketing for games is wholly artificial - I'm afraid we'll have to agree to disagree and leave it at that.
Mountain Man Aug 4, 2016
Quoting: BTRE
Quoting: Mountain ManThere's some nuance here.
Indeed there is - and if you can't see how me calling something that expands available content an "expansion" and not even following it up with the word "pack" is a distinction nor how the terminology used in marketing for games is wholly artificial - I'm afraid we'll have to agree to disagree and leave it at that.
Paradox doesn't even refer to it as an expansion.
Leerdeck Aug 4, 2016
@BRTE

I'm half through the comments in the forum and have a headache! Dear God.. Overreaction over the price, extreme hostile Paradox fans which defend the price and "threats" that if the dlcs don't sell well, Stellaris will not get more content. Sorry but.. What a communication cluster fuck. Makes me want to stay away from the forum for a long time...
Liam Dawe Aug 4, 2016
Quoting: Mountain Man
Quoting: BTRE
Quoting: Mountain ManThere's some nuance here.
Indeed there is - and if you can't see how me calling something that expands available content an "expansion" and not even following it up with the word "pack" is a distinction nor how the terminology used in marketing for games is wholly artificial - I'm afraid we'll have to agree to disagree and leave it at that.
Paradox doesn't even refer to it as an expansion.
Dude, give it up already.
BTRE Aug 4, 2016
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Quoting: LeerdeckSorry but.. What a communication cluster fuck. Makes me want to stay away from the forum for a long time...
Hah, that's just the way the internet is :D . People get worked up over everything. Not to mention that Paradox fans are incredibly passionate and often spend hundreds of hours and dollars in the lifetime of a series. The important bit is that they're still working on the game regardless and we'll see a lot more patches and content, free or paid in the coming months. The next of their weekly developer diaries ought to be interesting, at least.
Daifuco Aug 5, 2016
vegans are confused now
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