"The year is 2225. The reckless humans have formed a coalition to defend themselves from the rising power of the evil Drengin Empire. The galaxy is about to be set ablaze but there is something far worse out there than each other ..."
So goes the hot PC game
Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords, created by Plymouth-based Stardock Corp., a software, technology and PC gaming company that's gaining quite a profile.
And now the software developer and publisher is expanding. Convinced by the state to forego plans to move to Washington, Stardock is investing $900,000 to expand its existing 9,000 square foot facility by another 6,000 square feet. It's also looking to grow its staff by 53 people.
President and CEO Brad Wardell says the company is looking for 3D artists and people who have software development expertise.
"We try to run around a 20 to 30 percent profit margin every year," Wardell says. "The expansion will probably slow down the profit margin initially, but it will help with sustained growth."
Founded in 1992 by Wardell while he was a student at Western Michigan University, iStardock products have won awards from The Wall Street Journal, Time magazine, US News & World Report, CNN, MSNBC and elsewhere.
The company also specializes in PC desktop enhancement software. It currently has about 40 employees locally and others in more than a half a dozen countries.