We try to avoid Stellaris. We really do.

But if you're talking about the state of 4X games in 2025, it keeps dragging you back.

Al, Joe, and Tim take stock of a genre that’s running out of excuses. Innovation is rare. Pacing is broken. AI can’t keep up. And the line between 4X and grand strategy has nearly vanished.

Is anyone pushing things forward? Are we just reskinning old ideas? And why do most 4X games still fall apart by turn 100?