: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. Please introduce yourself for our readers?

Brad Wardell: My name is Brad Wardell, I'm the designer and Project Manager for Galactic Civilizations.

: Why did you decide to make an expansion for Galactic Civilizations?
Brad Wardell: During the course of the year, we saw that there were certain features in the game that we could add that would greatly extend the long term replay ability of the game. Features like a map editor, custom scenarios, campaigns, campaign editors, more alien races, and so on.

: Is there anything you wish you could have added in the expansion, but weren't able to?
Brad Wardell: I would have liked to do a little bit more with the domestic politics such as have a cabinet and such.

: Tell us a little about the campaign, does it pick up right where Galactic Civilizations left off?
Brad Wardell: It takes place at the same time. It basically walks the player through the first generation after the discovery of hyper drive.

: Why did you decide not to include multiplayer in the game?
Brad Wardell: We wanted to concentrate on the single player experience. There just isn't very much demand for multiplayer in a turn based game. As a multiplayer fan myself, I've bought strategy games that included a multiplayer component and found it difficult if not impossible at times to find someone to play. And as a developer, I know how much energy and effort it takes to put together a multiplayer game. Games that are multiplayer have to give up some depth. You can't have turns that take 5 or 6 minutes really in a multiplayer game and that results in a less in depth experience.

: Are you currently planning on another expansion, or possibly a sequel?
Brad Wardell: There won't be any more expansions after this. We will probably start looking to do a sequel for late 2005.

: What, in your opinion, is the most noteworthy feature in Altarian Prophecy and why?
Brad Wardell: Definitely the custom map/scenarios. That alone, IMO, makes it worth it. The reason is that you can put together teams at the very start - Drengin and Yor vs. Humans and Altarians for instance and have them play out on a pre-balanced map.

: What's next after Altarian Prophecy? Do you have any other projects in the works?
Brad Wardell: We are in the final stages of developing The Political Machine. A US Presidential strategy game coming out this summer (http://www.politicalmachine.com).

: Thanks for your time and thanks for answering our questions!