X4: Foundations

Your universe, your story

What does it feel like to step into a universe that is truly alive, where thousands of ships and stations make their own decisions? They trade, mine, fight, produce, and expand, even when you're not there to watch them. This dynamic simulation never stops - but you can step in, change its course, and write your own story.

Start as a lone pilot with nothing but your ship. Rise to fleet commander, station architect or corporate magnate. Whether you choose the path of an explorer, pirate, trader, or warrior, the universe will react to your every move.

Choose how to begin

Every journey starts differently. Select from a variety of gamestarts and characters, each with their own background, relations and technology. Your beginning sets the tone - but never your destiny. From humble trader to feared warlord, your path is entirely yours to shape.

Hundreds of unique, flyable ships

From nimble scouts to mighty carriers, X4 puts you at the controls. Seamlessly leave your cockpit, walk across a busy station, board another ship and take the pilot's seat. Hand over controls to your crew or teleport across the stars to join the action where it matters most.

Build, upgrade, expand

Stations and factories are more than structures - they're the backbone of empires. Construct them from modular pieces: docks, living quarters, production lines and more. Use the powerful Station Editor to drag, connect and design your unique creations.

Ships can be upgraded with new weapons, engines and visible components. Your fleet grows not just in numbers, but in tactical variety.

A universe in motion

Factions build and expand stations, develop trade routes, and compete for resources and territory. The balance of power constantly shifts as economies evolve and wars reshape the stars around you.

Command with vision

Once your empire spans dozens of ships and stations, the tactical map becomes your command centre. Give orders with a few clicks: set trade routes, send explorers into the unknown, or coordinate massive fleet battles. Control the details - or let trusted crew handle them while you focus on the bigger picture.

The most detailed X economy ever

Every station, ship and piece of equipment is part of a fully simulated economy. Wares are traded, prices rise and fall, resources flow into shipyards, and everything you use - from ammo to carriers - is produced within this network. By trading, producing or disrupting, you don't just play in the economy - you are part of it.

Research, innovate, teleport

From your headquarters you can invest in research, unlocking new technologies. Chief among them: teleportation. Instantly take control of any of your ships across the galaxy, turning remote commands into first-hand missions. Jump into danger, take over a battle, then leave your crew to continue once you go elsewhere.

Trade • Fight • Build • Think

X4: Foundations is the deepest and most dynamic space simulation we've ever created. A universe that never stands still. A sandbox where every decision matters. An invitation to lose yourself among the stars.

Always growing

The journey doesn't end here. X4: Foundations is constantly evolving through regular free updates that add fresh gameplay, refine existing systems and respond to community feedback. When you join today, you step into a universe that keeps getting bigger and better.