The sci-fi MMORTS Starborne has finally entered open beta. Iceland-based developer Solid Clouds, which includes several of EVE's original developers, has been working on the game since 2014 and has run nine open alphas in the past five years. Now you can play for free.

Starborne is a strategy game of epic proportions in which thousands of players scheme, bargain, and fight for control of the galaxy. Because the action takes place in real time, the game can last for months; in his preview of Starborne, T.J. describes it as "a game that takes eight weeks of Civilization, but takes place in the mapped universe with over 5,000 players."

The beta version of the game is also available on the Internet.

With the beta release, Solid Clouds created an entirely new map for the occasion. The new map also includes safer starting zones and areas with higher resource yields to encourage new players to get into the galactic empire business.

Solid Clouds also introduced three new victory conditions. Military conquest, industrial dominance, and more simply, controlling the most space. The developers hope that these new victory conditions will encourage players to focus more on alliances, clandestine deals, and intergalactic espionage.

Those interested in participating in the beta should check out Starborne's official website.