Gratuitous Space Battles 2 is now in Open Beta!

Hey, everyone; do you like seeing spaceships explode in extremely attractive ways? Do you like sci-fi battles and space sims? Then you may want to perk up your ears: Positech’s Space Strategy Game Gratuitous Space Battles 2 is not only available for Open Beta, but also for preorder as well. By preordering the game, you can gain access to the beta, and you can see what Gratuitous Space Battles 2 is all about.

Gratitous Space Battles 2 is exactly what it says on the tin. It’s about battles. In space. The game requires a combination of technical know-how and ship-building savvy and strategic planning in order to build ships efficiently, arrange them in fleets, and then send them off in hopes that they don’t return from battle as golden crispy space chips. It cuts most of the fat associated with other mainstream space sims, focusing instead on the primary objective of being admiral of a fleet. To add icing on the cake, the developer has encouraged modding by including text and csv files that are easy to edit for your own convenience.

And the beta? The runner of Positech’s one-man show, Cliff Harris, promised on his blog that not only is this a proper beta, but most of the game works the way it’s supposed to be when it ships. So this isn’t going to be a product that is half-out of alpha that is barely playable; the fundamentals are there, it just doesn’t have its polish on yet. There will be balancing issues, he says, but overall things should be mostly smooth sailing for those who decide to take part. Those who decide to preorder Gratuitous Space Battles 2 (and by extension, participate in the beta) get a (as of now, not working) steam key, a download link, and an online serial for challenges and the like.

For more information about Gratuitous Space Battles 2, you can go to the game’s website. Otherwise, feel free to watch the beta trailer below: