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Clockwork Empires, the "colony explosion simulator" that mashes together The Sims and Cthulhu in a strange, steampunk world, has been in Early Access for a couple of years now. It's undergone a number of updates over that span, including one in which Frontier Naturalist and Man of Science Amon Chalkbracket unearths a strange artifact, turns into a fishman, and runs away to the sea (which I mention mainly because of his fantastic name). A beta began in May, and today developer Gaslamp Games announced that it will go into full launch on October 26.

At its core, Clockwork Empires is a sandbox colony management sim in which you must establish, maintain, and grow an Imperial outpost on rugged, untouched lands. Strip the resources, feed the machines, drive industry and progress and then deal with the dread consequences of awakening that which waits, dreaming.

"Every colonist is a unique simulated individual with their own personality, motivation, secrets, and peculiar desires which must be satisfied lest they invite Terrible Consequences ranging from occult ritual to delicious cannibalism," Gaslamp said. "When terrible things go Too Far, eldritch Horrors may be unleashed leaving colonists in chaos, confusion, and occasionally Oddly Transformed amidst burning wreckage, from which only you can save them (maybe). Do your job well, or let it all crumble into a pile of misery and start over in the next spot over; either way, in true Bureaucratic fashion, you will bring Glory to the Clockwork Empire."

The nice thing about the Early Access release is that even though Clockwork Empires won't technically be released until later this month, you can buy it and start playing right now if you want. There's also a website with more details at clockworkempires.com, and you can lay your eyes on some screens below.