As the holidays and the end of the year fast approaches, the press have begun to publish their holiday guides and nominations for the best games of the year. Stardock Entertainment's Galactic Civilizations: Gold Edition and Dark Avatar have started to get mentions for excellence:

• IGN Holiday Buyer's Guide 2007 -  Picks Galactic Civilizations II: Gold Edition as one of their top picks on the PC, calling it "...a perfect pack for those loved ones that have always dreamt of interstellar domination."
• iF Magazine Holiday Gift Guide 2007 - Also selects the GalCiv II: Gold Edition for holiday shoppers proclaiming it perfect for "Anyone that can’t get enough of having everything at their control and not afraid to micromanage a game."
• X-Play Best of 2007 Nomination - X-Play has nominated Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar for the Best Strategy Game of 2007! Winners will be announced during the "X-Play Best of 2007 Awards" premiere which airs Monday, December 17 at 8pm ET/PT on G4.