Physically, not emotionally toxic: Our favorite space strategy game is adding an entire species of Nasty Little Guys

pcgamer.com:

Paradox has announced a new species DLC coming to Stellaris on September 20: the Toxoids(opens in new tab). The teaser trailer(opens in new tab) for the new add-on ends with the tagline «The End Justifies the Ruins,» and playing as them looks to give bonuses for high-risk, aggressive play that destroys planetary environments for the sake of industry. Basically, you're playing as the bad guys from every sci-fi story. Environmentalist parables? Who needs 'em, we have heavy industry and Toxic Baths.

«Empires featuring the Toxoids species can grow and adapt faster than most creatures,» Paradox's announcement(opens in new tab) reads, «but tend to make life unpleasant for their neighbors⁠—and often for themselves.» I can't help but think of the smog-choked Harkonnen homeworld of Giedi Prime(opens in new tab) from Dune. The species' full mechanical offerings are as follows:

I'm a sucker for that first origin, Knights of the Toxic God. It sounds like it should be an album by British extreme metal band Slugdge(opens in new tab). I also like the sound of «Species portraits, ship models, and cityscapes that only a mother could love.» We are leaning fully into the Stinky Empire fantasy. Sometimes you just look at the endless expanse of the cosmos and the goody two shoes Federation types exploring it and want to cover it all in industrial runoff.

The Toxoids species pack is available for pre-order now on Steam(opens in new tab), GOG(opens in new tab), and the Microsoft Store(opens in new tab) for $10, and you will be able to destroy all that is beautiful and good in the universe come September 20.