Stellar Ascendancy is a turn-based 4X strategy game about building an interstellar civilization that can survive—and ultimately master—a contested galaxy.

Begin with a single homeworld and a small starting force. Explore unknown space, establish colonies, develop a sustainable economy, research new technologies, and assemble fleets capable of defending everything you have built. Every decision shapes the future of your empire.

BUILD AN EMPIRE

Colonize valuable worlds and develop them to support industry, research, logistics, or frontier defense. Balance credits, minerals, rare metals, fuel, population, and scientific progress while keeping your growing civilization financially and militarily secure.

DESIGN AND COMMAND YOUR FLEETS

Research new hulls and components, then create warship designs suited to your strategy. Organize fleets ranging from light frigates and destroyers to battleships and dreadnaughts, supported by colony ships, transports, troop ships, and dedicated tankers.

Fight battles under direct tactical control or use automatic resolution when you want to keep the campaign moving. Ships and admirals gain experience, victories and losses become part of their service histories, and retreating to preserve a veteran force can be as important as winning the current battle.

DIPLOMACY, ESPIONAGE, OR WAR

Trade with neighboring civilizations, negotiate alliances, exchange research, offer tribute, demand surrender, or declare war. Send agents to gather intelligence, steal technology, and sabotage hostile production. As one empire grows dangerously powerful, the rest of the galaxy may unite against it.

CONQUER WORLDS—OR DESTROY THEM

Defeat defending fleets, secure planetary orbit, bombard military and industrial targets, and launch ground invasions using troop ships. Every campaign depends on fuel, repair facilities, reinforcements, and the ability to hold what you capture.

CHOOSE HOW THE GALAXY IS WON

Pursue military elimination, galactic domination, economic supremacy, technological ascension, political union, or victory through imperial score. Your chosen victory condition changes what matters most and how rival empires respond to your rise.

PLAY YOUR WAY

Configure the galaxy’s size, shape, opponents, difficulty, opening peace period, and fog of war. Play alone against computer-controlled empires, share one computer through local hot-seat play, or challenge another player through internet multiplayer. Supported custom content can introduce new visuals, data, races, ships, and other game assets.