Prepare to navigate the complex landscape of interstellar politics with the upcoming Diplomacy Update for X4: Foundations 🪐 Later this year, this free base game update will introduce new strategic elements, allowing players to engage in diplomacy like never before.

>> TRAILER <<

At the heart of this update is the Embassy, a new facility where Diplomats can be brought together to represent their various factions. Players will also gain access to Agents, who can be deployed on independent assignments to achieve diplomatic objectives within the X universe.

With these new tools, you will be able to influence alliances and rivalries alike, shaping the political and economic balance of the galaxy.

Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to release!

We’re excited to share that we’ll be showing you a bit more about what’s next for X4 during the Triple-I Initiative showcase on April 10th at 18:00 CEST / 09:00 PDT.

The event will feature announcements from 30+ games, including world premieres, gameplay reveals, launch dates, and more - all packed into just 45 minutes. No hosts, no ads, no sponsors - just games!

📺 Watch the showcase live on:
🔹 YouTube
🔹 Twitch
🔹 Or find it right here on the Steam frontpage

🎥 To get a taste of what’s coming, check out the official trailer here. See iii-initiative.com for more details.

See you there! 🚀

We’ve just launched the 7.60 Public Beta for X4: Foundations, and we invite you to take part!

This is a purely technical update with the focus mainly on video memory management improvements, but also including various bug fixes to enhance overall stability and performance. There are no new gameplay features in this update - our main goal with 7.60 is to refine and optimize your playing experience.

If you'd like to participate and help us test 7.60, you can find instructions on how to join the Public Beta in our official forums.

As always, we appreciate your feedback! If you encounter any issues, please report them in our Public Beta Feedback Forum. Thanks for your support, and happy testing!

How Do I Take Part in the Public Beta?
Every player who owns X4: Foundations has the opportunity to download the new 7.60 Public Beta version. To ensure that beta participants are aware of the risks and rules involved, we ask all interested players to visit our forum (no registration required), where they will find the rules, disclaimers, and practical instructions for participating in the beta.

In case you missed it...

• A little over a month ago, we released the massive "Flight Model Update" (aka 7.50) along with the X4: Hyperion Pack (DLC). If you missed it, be sure to check out our news on it, as this update brought some fundamental changes to X4. If you prefer watching a video instead of reading through the details, we highly recommend this one.
  
• If you'd like to support us further on our X4 adventure, please consider purchasing the X4: Hyperion Pack.
  
• A recent video interview with Egosoft founder and Managing Director Bernd Lehahn.
  
• A recent GameStar (Germany) feature on X4 in 2025 - featuring X4 content creator Captain Collins (video in German).

Dear X4 players,

The long wait is over - the Flight Model Update (7.50) is now available! We want to thank everyone who participated in the beta, provided valuable feedback, and helped us identify and fix various issues. You have truly helped us a lot.

This update brings significant improvements to flight mechanics and physics, making ship handling more dynamic and distinct than ever before. To help you adjust, we’ve put together this FAQ.



Q: What is this update about?
A: This update introduces a wide range of improvements across the game (see full changelog), but the most significant change is the updated flight model. Ships now handle differently depending on their size, weight, and engine configuration.

Q: What has changed in the flight model?
A: The way ships handle has been completely reworked. The changes affect every aspect of flight, including acceleration, turning, boosting, and braking. Each ship and engine type now has more distinct flight characteristics, creating a more varied and immersive flying experience.

For example:

• Small scouts and fighters remain nimble even at high speeds.
  
• Fully loaded freighters and miners experience more drift due to their increased mass.
  
• Large ships take longer to start moving in a new direction despite having high rotation speeds.

Q: How does flying feel different?
A: While ship mass, thrusters, and engines have always dictated how ships handle, they now do so more naturally and with fewer sudden changes in acceleration. There are more pronounced differences between engine types, manufacturers, and models, too.

• Paranid: Fastest travel drives, and ships that fly almost like they are on rails, but much reduced manoeuvrability at high velocity.
  
• Terran: Quickest travel drive charge-up time, very fast travel drive acceleration. Their ships are generally easy to use.
  
• Split: Fastest regular engines, and just enough travel drive performance to intercept most targets. Their ill-controlled drifting is a challenge for rookie pilots though.
  
• Argon: Very aggressive boosting that can offset their poor travel drive acceleration. Their combat ships benefit a lot from improved thrusters.
  
• Teladi: Designed to outlast opponents in combat and haul efficiently at any distance.
  
• Boron: The weakness of their regular engines can be offset by considered use of boosting and their pre-charged travel drives.

Q: Do I have to relearn how to fly?
A: While the core flight mechanics remain familiar, you may need to adjust to the new handling. Different engines now offer unique flight profiles, so experimenting with various configurations will help you find one that suits your playstyle the most.

Q: Can I revert these changes or get an engine that behaves like the old ones?
A: No, reverting is not possible due to the extensive changes to the flight model. However, certain engines offer handling similar to the previous iteration, so we recommend trying different types to find what you’re most comfortable with.

Q: Why does boosting no longer consume shields?
A: Boosting now has a separate energy bar, displayed around the speedometer. Engines determine boost duration and efficiency, so choosing the right one is important. Be careful, though, as NPCs also use this new boost system!

Q: What is the blue circle on my HUD?
A: That is the new Velocity Indicator, showing your ship’s actual movement direction. This is especially useful for ships that experience high drift, such as heavily loaded transports or those using powerful Split engines. It also comes in handy when flying with disabled Flight Assist.

Q: Has the Gravidar changed?
A: Yes! We've enhanced the Gravidar - it should be more readable now. The viewing angle has been improved, and far-away objects are now more visible. We also added a few more Gravidar modes that you can cycle [CTRL+M by default].

Q: What else does this update include?
A: The update expands the universe, refines mechanics, and enhances visuals. Key additions include:

• New sectors, offering alternative connections between Boron and Terran space and the main universe.
  
• Behaviour Inspection Mode, allowing for better management and troubleshooting of player-owned assets.
  
• Radar Station Module, significantly increasing station radar coverage.
  
• FSR3 and DLSS support, improving graphical performance.
  
• Numerous fixes and improvements (see full changelog here).

Q: Is the Hyperion included in this update?
A: No, the Hyperion expeditionary ship is part of the X4: Hyperion Pack mini-DLC and is not included in the free 7.50 update. You can purchase the X4: Hyperion Pack on Steam and GOG.

Q: What happened to my X4: Timelines leaderboard ranking?
A: Due to the major flight model changes, the Timelines leaderboard has been reset. However, your progress in the Timelines story itself is unaffected. Previous rankings have been archived and can be viewed here.

Q: Do I have to start a new game for the Flight Model Update and the X4: Hyperion Pack’s contents to appear in my game?
A: No - the Flight Model Update, as well as the X4: Hyperion Pack, will integrate seamlessly into your existing game sessions, regardless of whether you were playing the beta, or one of the previous versions of the game.

Q: I’m a modder. Where can I find documentation on the new flight model?
A: Documentation on flight parameters for ships, engines, and thrusters is available on the XWiki. You can find it here.

Pilots, the wait is over! Today marks another major milestone for X4: Foundations with the release of:

🚀 The Flight Model Update - A complete overhaul of ship flight dynamics, making every manoeuvre smoother, more responsive, and more immersive than ever before.

🚀 The X4: Hyperion Pack - A new DLC introducing the legendary Hyperion Expeditionary Ship, a new gamestart, a new sector, and more.

The free 7.50 update further improves and enhances X4: Foundations, making it more dynamic and immersive than ever before. And for those who want to support the continued development of X4, purchasing the X4: Hyperion Pack helps us push forward with our ambitious plans for the future - even as we're on our way to X4's 7th anniversary in November!

Let's dive into the details.

Fly Like Never Before - The Flight Model Update

The Flight Model Update revolutionises the way you pilot ships in X4: Foundations, featuring extensive changes to ship handling, and balance. Every ship feels smoother, more responsive, and more immersive than ever before.

What's Changed?

• Overhauled Flight Physics - Ship control and flight pathing have been completely revamped, making movement more natural and precise.
  
• Boost Mechanic Revamp - Boosting now has its own dedicated energy pool, allowing for more strategic manoeuvring during combat and travel.
  
• Enhanced Gravidar Display - Improved readability and functionality provides better situational awareness for navigation and combat.
  
• New Behaviour Inspection Mode - A new tool to analyse and adjust ship behaviours, giving you the ability to diagnose and solve problems with the ships in your fleet.
  
• Velocity Indicator - A visual speed display aids with precise navigation and in dogfights.
  
• Wide Area Sensor Array Module - A new radar station module enhances detection capabilities, expanding your strategic awareness.
  
• Graphical Enhancements - Major improvements to the graphics engine, including DLSS and FSR 3 support, making space more visually stunning.
  
• Ship Rebalancing - Every ship in the game has been rebalanced, with refined engine, thruster, and component interactions.
  
• New Sectors - Additional connections to Terran and Boron space, opening up fresh trade routes and exploration opportunities.
  
• Economy Adjustments - Improvements to trade dynamics and resource flow, enhancing the in-game economy.

For the Deep Dive Enthusiasts…
For those who want a deep-dive into the numbers behind these flight model changes, John Pritchett has provided an in-depth breakdown of the mathematical principles and calculations that drive this update. John's document provides information about the model, shows what makes it unique relative to other flight models, and provides examples of how the model is being used in X4. If you want to explore the mathematics behind the new flight model, you can check out his detailed and highly technical document on the subject here (.pdf, 12MB).

As a reminder, in case you haven't seen our news back when the Public Beta for this update started, we partnered with John Pritchett, a former Senior Physics Programmer from the Star Citizen development team, to rework ship handling for this Flight Model Update.

X4: Hyperion Pack - Command a Legend
Alongside the Flight Model Update, we are proud to launch the X4: Hyperion Pack, a brand-new Mini DLC that introduces the legendary Hyperion Expeditionary Ship to X4: Foundations.

What's in the X4: Hyperion Pack?
✅ The Hyperion Expeditionary Ship - A legendary ship, reborn in X4
✅ New mission chain - Earn the Hyperion through an exciting, story-driven experience
✅ New gamestart - Jump straight into the action aboard the Hyperion
✅ New sector - Uncharted space awaits your exploration
✅ New music - Fresh tracks to enrich your X4 soundtrack

Why the Hyperion?
Veteran X players will remember the Hyperion from X3: Reunion's Bala Gi Missions, where it quickly became one of the most beloved ships in the franchise. Now, it's back with a brand-new classification - the Expeditionary class.

💥 Fast, agile, and powerful
💥 Six main gun mounts & M-sized turrets
💥 L-class shielding & engines for durability and speed
💥 Increased Hull Missile capacity
💥 Small docking bay for three S-class ships (repair & resupply capability)

The Hyperion is the perfect ship for those who love high-speed combat and deep-space adventuring, providing a great deal of flexibility. It's not just a ship; it's a statement.

Get the X4: Hyperion Pack now on Steam!

Purchasing this DLC helps support the ongoing development of X4: Foundations - with many more updates planned for the future!

What's Next for X4?
With the Flight Model Update and the X4: Hyperion Pack now in your hands, it's time to look ahead at what's next for X4: Foundations. Our development roadmap is packed with exciting features, and here's what you can expect in the near future:

Diplomacy Update (Late 2025)
Prepare to engage in the intricate web of interstellar politics with our upcoming Diplomacy Update. This free base game expansion will introduce, among other things:

• Diplomatic Headquarters - A new facility where faction representatives convene, offering strategic options.
  
• Agent Missions - Deploy agents on independent missions to achieve diplomatic goals in the X universe.

This update will allow you to negotiate alliances, manipulate enemies, and engage in deep strategic gameplay on a whole new level.

Exploration Update (2026)
Uncharted territories await! The Exploration Update expands the horizons of X4: Foundations, featuring, among other things:

• New Anomalies - Discover mysterious anomalies leading to hidden sectors filled with unique secrets and challenges.
  
• Enhanced Scanning Mechanics - Improved Long-Range Scanner capabilities make deep-space exploration more rewarding.
  
• Diverse Missions - A variety of new exploration-focused missions, rewarding curiosity and risk-taking.

This update caters to players who love the thrill of discovering the unknown, adding new layers of depth and adventure to the game.

Please check out our full Roadmap news from November 2024 for more details.

Thank You!
We hope you enjoy the new content coming your way today and as always, we appreciate your feedback as we shape the future of X4: Foundations together. Thank you for your support on this epic adventure that has taken us to a new X4 record of nearly 11,000 average daily active players in 2024 - wow!

Fly safe!

If you’ve seen our Xmas card and the roadmap for the near- to mid-term future of X4: Foundations, then you might already have a pretty good idea of what new content is coming to X4 this quarter. But now, it’s time to make it official and end the suspense!

Our next DLC for X4: Foundations will be titled X4: Hyperion Pack, and as previously mentioned in our roadmap news, it will be "more compact than previous X4 expansions." As the name suggests, the X4: Hyperion Pack will focus on bringing the Hyperion ship into X4 – one of the most frequently requested ships from the community. Alongside this, additional new content will be introduced, which we outline below and on the X4: Hyperion Pack Steam page (make sure to wishlist it, please - it helps us a lot with visibility on Steam!).

>> X4: Hyperion Pack Reveal Teaser @ YouTube <<

Depending on the success of this first "Mini DLC," we plan to follow up with similarly sized DLCs to accompany future free base game updates. As outlined in our roadmap news, our primary focus in 2025 is on delivering consistent and impactful improvements to the base game. As in the past, these base game updates will be free for all existing X4 players, while purchases of the Mini DLC, such as the X4: Hyperion Pack, will support ongoing development.

Thank you for your continued support and loyalty to X4: Foundations. We still have plenty of exciting plans for the game, and we’re looking forward to another thrilling year with all of you.

What can I look forward to in the X4: Hyperion Pack?

The X4: Hyperion Pack expands the universe of X4: Foundations with:

• The legendary Hyperion Expeditionary Ship
  
• A new mission chain to discover and unlock the Hyperion
  
• A new gamestart, granting immediate access to the Hyperion if you prefer to jump into the new ship straight away
  
• A brand new sector, waiting to be explored in the Open Universe
  
• New music tracks that enrich the X4 soundtrack, elevating your auditory space journey

Rediscover a Legend
The Hyperion is back, reimagined and ready to leave its mark on the universe once more! This iconic ship introduces an exciting new ship classification: the Expeditionary class. Seamlessly blending raw power, agility, and a compact yet versatile design, the Hyperion captures the essence of the Paranid like never before.

A New Class of Power and Agility
The Hyperion redefines the limits of what a capital ship can achieve. Despite its classification as an L-class ship, it stands out with its sleek, lightweight frame and unparalleled manoeuvrability. Slightly larger than a frigate, this unique ship punches above its weight class by combining heavy-duty large (L) equipment with an exceptionally small target signature. Its capabilities include:

• Six main gun mounts, designed for devastating offensive capabilities
  
• M-sized turrets, offering robust defensive coverage
  
• L-class shielding and engines, delivering superior durability and mobility in a remarkably compact frame
  
• Enhanced missile capacity, ensuring sustained firepower in prolonged engagements

Its agility and firepower make it an ideal choice for daring solo operations or engaging in high-stakes battles, provided there's room to leverage its impressive manoeuvrability. The Hyperion also comes equipped with a single docking bay, capable of accommodating and repairing up to two S-class ships, adding logistical and strategic flexibility to your missions.

New Adventures Await
The Hyperion isn't just a ship - it's a symbol of innovation and adaptability. With features like repair and resupply capabilities for docked ships, above-average cargo capacity for a combat ship, and a crew complement well-suited to boarding operations, this ship thrives in the hands of skilled pilots. Whether you're navigating dangerous trade routes, engaging in piracy, or leading fleets into uncharted territory, the Hyperion is your ultimate companion.

Prepare to command a legend. Are you ready to reshape your destiny in the universe of X4: Foundations?

Dear X-fans, we would like to wish you a Merry X-Mas and a Happy New Year!

Another year has almost passed, and once again, a lot has happened in our beloved studio and with our game. As always we've worked tirelessly, and have brought you two very important things for X4: Foundations:

• The 7.00 major update, which introduced numerous new features, improved upon lots of existing ones, and fixed various bugs.
  
• The X4: Timelines expansion, which offers a unique game mode, in which you can play different historic and skill-based scenarios, and even compete against the scores of your fellow players.

This year also marked the 25th anniversary of the launch of our very first X game, X: Beyond the Frontier. We celebrated it with a fantastic sale and a heartfelt "Thank You" video from our Founder and Managing Director, Bernd Lehahn.

You helped grow our wholesome community: our Official Forum, the X4: Foundations Steam Forum, the X4 Subreddit, and even the Egosoft Discord gained thousands of new members who now have welcoming places to connect. Thank you. If you're looking for an overview of all our communication channels, please visit our Linktree.

So what's next, you might ask?
Long story short: we are far from being done with X4: Foundations, and boy, do we have some goodies in the works for you. You might have already seen our recently released Roadmap for X4, which loosely outlines what you can expect in the future. Let's focus on what's coming in the first quarter of 2025:

• Flight Model update: We're deploying a major update that will enhance the flight model of all ships, among other things. This is no small change, as it will affect every pilotable spacecraft. Their specifications and movement will vary significantly depending on which engines and thrusters you install. We kindly ask that, if you have the time and energy, you join the Public Beta and share your feedback.
  
• "Mini DLC 1": Well, what could this be? "Introducing a fan-favourite ship"? But there are so many to choose from! Eventually, we had to pick one, and we've gone with arguably the "bestest ever" option: The Hyperion, as the game's very first Expeditionary ship!

So, what is the Hyperion?
Our Veteran players are hopefully already screaming in joy at this point. If you take a closer look at the X-Mas Postcard above, you might be able to find the ship under the numerous festive ornaments. The Paranid Hyperion has quite the story, having played a major role in X3: Reunion's Bala Gi missions. It was a fan-favourite vessel from the start, and we hope that it will meet your expectations in X4: Foundations as well! To tease you a little, we think you will consider it as one of your larger "daily drive" ships, but don't let its size fool you; it will easily outrun and outmanoeuvre its adversaries, and will make short work of smaller targets quickly and efficiently. It also comes with a brand-new classification: an Expeditionary ship. What could this mean? Time will tell!

We hope you've enjoyed playing our games and felt welcomed in our community. Here's to another great year!

Best wishes,
The Egosoft Team

We're excited to announce the start of the Public Beta for the upcoming 7.50 Update for X4: Foundations, also known as the "Flight Model Update"! This major update introduces a substantial overhaul of the game's flight model, bringing smoother and more realistic ship controls to the X4 universe. Check out the full changelog at the end of this news post and join our Public Beta today to support us in preparing for the update's release in the first quarter of 2025.

For this ambitious transformation, we've partnered with John Pritchett, a former Senior Physics Programmer from the Star Citizen development team, who has been instrumental in reworking ship handling in X4. This update brings significant changes to ship control and flight pathing, and we're thrilled to give you the chance to experience it first-hand.

Be sure to watch our latest XLOG episode, where Egosoft founder and Managing Director Bernd Lehahn shares his thoughts on the upcoming changes and our plans for the next year. Also, don't miss our recently posted Roadmap news, which offers a broader look at our vision for the future of X4.

In addition to the new flight model, we're making balancing adjustments across all ships in the game. Expect refined engines, thrusters, and other ship components as we work to create a balanced, optimised experience that fully leverages the new flight dynamics.

This update also expands the X4 universe with several new sectors, connecting previously distant Terran and Boron regions. And alongside these new areas of space, we're introducing adjustments to the in-game economy.

On the visual front, the 7.50 update will bring major enhancements to our graphics engine, including DLSS and FSR 3 support.

How Do I Take Part in the Public Beta?
Every player who owns X4: Foundations has the opportunity to download the new 7.50 Public Beta version. To ensure that beta participants are aware of the risks and rules involved, we ask all interested players to visit our forum (no registration required), where they will find the rules, disclaimers, and practical instructions for participating in the beta.

We're excited to hear your feedback on this transformative update. Follow our Steam updates and other channels via our Linktree to stay informed as we move closer to the official release.

(please visit our forum for the complete changelog)

The 25th anniversary year for the X series is rapidly approaching its end, and it’s been a few months since 7.10, our last major update for X4: Foundations, launched in August. Those familiar with our development journey will already know that this apparently quiet period actually means that behind the scenes we’re working hard on future developments. At such times we’ve always tended to be a bit more cautious in our public communication, to avoid setting expectations that may turn out to be unrealistic. Our highly iterative development process, and the shifting plans that lie behind it, often mean that we can’t predict exactly what will happen and when.

However, we’re now at a point where we believe that we can comfortably share a picture of what lies ahead for X4 in 2025. So, today we’re excited to present a general roadmap, which will provide an insight into our direction and give you an idea of what you can look forward to. Please keep in mind, though, that some of the details of this roadmap may still evolve – so consider this our current vision rather than a finalised plan!

First quarter 2025 – Flight Model Update
Our next major free update for the base game will feature a significant change that’s been in the pipeline for a long time: a complete overhaul of the flight model. Over the past few years, we’ve been working towards making flying in the X4 universe smoother, more realistic, and more natural. This latest update involves substantial changes to ship control and flight pathing, and has required extensive mathematical expertise to execute.

To facilitate this, we’ve partnered with John Pritchett, a former Senior Physics Programmer on the Star Citizen development team, to lead the transformation of X4’s flight model. We’re delighted to be able to incorporate John’s contributions, and we look forward to hearing your feedback once you’ve experienced it first hand. It’s definitely something you’ll need to feel in-game rather than see in screenshots or videos, so stay tuned for a Public Beta (soon™).

As part of these flight model changes, we’re also adjusting the balancing of every ship in X4 to make the most of these improvements. This task involves revisiting engines, thrusters, and other ship components, with our team running extensive iterations to prepare a balanced experience.

Beyond the flight model changes, we’re also adding several new sectors to the game as part of this update, creating additional connections to the Terran and Boron areas of space that were added in their respective expansions, X4: Cradle of Humanity and X4: Kingdom End. These new connections will be paired with some adjustments to the in-game economy – we’ll be giving more details on that once the Public Beta has started.

On the graphical front, this update will introduce yet more significant enhancements to our graphics engine, including DLSS and FSR 3 implementation.

We’re looking forward to launching the Public Beta for this transformative update as soon as possible. However, as you can imagine, these “game-changing” features require a little more time in the internal and private testing phases, so follow our Steam updates or our other communication channels (see Linktree to stay informed).

First quarter 2025 – “Mini DLC 1” (working title)
Alongside the free updates to the base game, we’re planning a smaller-than-usual DLC release early next year. While content specifics are still in the works, this “Mini DLC” will be more compact than previous X4 expansions. A confirmed feature is the re-imagining of a fan-favourite ship from earlier X series games; one which has been eagerly requested by members of the community. The DLC will also feature some activities surrounding the acquisition of this ship, and maybe even its blueprints. Stay tuned, as we may reveal the ship as a Christmas surprise this year!

Third quarter 2025 – Diplomacy Update
Later in 2025, we are planning a free base game update that will focus on Diplomacy gameplay in X4: Foundations. This update will introduce a new room in the player’s headquarters, where faction representatives can gather and offer you strategic options. In addition to this room, players will have access to agents (NPCs) who can be dispatched on independent missions to achieve diplomatic goals in the X universe. The highlight of this update will be Diplomatic Events, giving players the opportunity to manipulate their own relations with other factions, and even in some cases between specific NPC factions. We’ll have more to share regarding further features of the Diplomacy Update as we get closer to its release.

Third quarter 2025 – Additional Mini DLC
Depending on the success of the first Mini DLC, we may follow up with similarly sized DLCs to accompany other free base game updates. As you can see, our focus in 2025 is on consistent, impactful improvements to the base game and, as in the past, those base game updates will be free to existing X4 players, with Mini DLC purchases supporting ongoing development.

2026 – Exploration Update
In early 2026, we aim to release another major update, this time with the focus on Exploration. This update will introduce new anomalies that guide players to unexplored sectors of the X universe, each with unique and exciting discoveries. As development progresses, we’ll refine the details around this overall theme, such as improvements to Long-Range Scanner gameplay, and a range of missions for discovering these anomalies. Although this feature is still fairly early in its development cycle, Exploration will definitely be an essential part of X4’s future vision. We welcome your thoughts on this theme!

2026 – Another Major Update, Too Early To Really Talk About!
Looking further ahead, most likely in the latter part of 2026, we have plans for yet another major update marking another milestone in the game’s development. While we’re keeping details very much under wraps for now, we can assure you that exciting additions and premieres are planned for the series.

We hope this roadmap gives you a clearer, though admittedly still somewhat vague, vision of what’s in store for X4 in the coming year. We can’t wait to kick off the Public Beta for the next update, so be sure to stay connected to our communication channels. If you’re new, then check out our Linktree for a comprehensive overview of our news and community resources.