The star map screenshot looks very similar to star map in "Remnants of the Precursors" [1], which is a modernization of 1993 "Master of Orion" [2]. Convergent evolution, or was 1995 Stars! an homage/clone of Orion?
I can't speak for the authors' mindsets, but the Stars! map had pointwise movement rather than via strict stellar/planetary waypoints. When fleet interceptions can happen midcourse[1], there's not a whole lot of design room within the Win16 style.
[1] — If I remember correctly, there even was some special-case code for ship pursuit cycles.
Remnants of the Precursors resembles Stars!, but Stars! doesn't seem to much resemble Master of Orion 1 or 2. Seems to be convergent evolution. If I recall correctly, there were many similar 4X in space games at the time, and Master of Orion 1 didn't stand out much - it was Master of Orion II that was a big hit, relatively speaking (4X in space were/are a bit niche).
programd · · focus · HN ↗
1. <a href="https://rayfowler.itch.io/remnants-of-the-precursors" rel="nofollow">https://rayfowler.itch.io/remnants-of-the-precursors
2. <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/410970/Master_of_Orion_1/" rel="nofollow">https://store.steampowered.com/app/410970/Master_of_Orion_1/
Majromax · · focus · HN ↗
[1] — If I remember correctly, there even was some special-case code for ship pursuit cycles.
Hussell · · focus · HN ↗
tomsonj · · focus · HN ↗