Based on the PBM Game Beyond the Stellar Empire that I played in the 90's. The game has not only been active for 20+ years it has been continuously improved and expanded. I have not found a more all encompassing Space 4x game, and I have looked. From Aurora 4x to Eve Online.
As a turn based game, with turns ran once a day M-F, it does not eat hours upon hours every day. Que up turns once a week, or run through the turns every day. It works with your schedule and does not make you adjust to it's schedule. Include F2P, multiplayer, and role-playing aspects and the only think lacking is a graphics interface.
With that said, There is some draw backs.
-It can be rather slow to get going but the tutorial missions get you up to speed.
-There is a bit of a learning cliff. Especially if you try to take it all in. Just take it 1 aspect at a time and you'll get the hang of things though.
No news is available.