Back again! We are going to shuffle around the days we do these discussion posts, if you're paying attention.

This week's topic is 4X games. 4X is a subgenre of strategy game that is defined by the "four Xs" that make up the genre name: EXplore, EXpand, EXploit and EXterminate. In these games you must explore surrounding territory, expand your empire or faction to claim it, exploit the resources found there, and exterminate other empires or factions. These games also sometimes feature auxiliary concepts like robust economy management, technology trees, and inter-faction diplomacy. Grand Strategy games are a subsubgenre (heh) under 4X that specifically involve an even larger and more detailed scope and often pit the player's faction against dozens of others, often times with an asymmetrical playing field.

Here are some questions and subtopics that I encourage people to discuss:

• What are your favorite 4X games?
• Which "X" of the 4X genre is your favorite?
• What setting/background do you prefer for 4X games?
• Do you enjoy Grand Strategy games, as a subgenre of 4X?

Also feel free to bring up anything you like related to the topic! If you have suggestions for future discussion topics, leave them in the suggestion thread.