Positech Games unveils new Gratuitous Space Battles 2 development video

Gratuitous Space Battles

Cliff "Cliffski" Harris has released a new development video for the upcoming Gratuitous Space Battles 2, showing off new beam weapons, improved fighter behavior, and more realistic damage effects.

It's possible to enjoy this video simply for the majestic destruction it brings to the table, and in that regard the new Gratuitous Space Battles clearly isn't going to deviate far from its predecessor. But it also looks to be considerably improved in a number of ways, such as with the addition of nebula clouds, squadrons of fighters that fly in formation, and capital ship damage that appears to be internal, rather than simply painted on. There will also be more types of "support beams," enabling more complex interactions between capital and support ships.

It was thought back in the summer that Gratuitous Space Battles 2 might come out before the end of the year. With December looming and no release date announced, however, 2015 is looking increasingly likely.

Andy Chalk

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.