X4: Foundations

Version 9.00 delivered X4: Foundations’ broadest overhaul in the tracked stretch, rebuilding combat, ship loadouts, resource movement, and fleet control. It also added the Ship Showroom Module, new Priority Orders, and the Exploration Update, which opened anomaly-led routes to unexplored sectors.

• Combat overhaul: Comprehensive Rebalance of Ships and Loadouts reworked hundreds of weapons, shields, and ships, while AI Improvements for Pilots and later capital-ship and fighter changes made fleet combat more role-focused. Follow-up 9.00 fixes also corrected capital ships failing to fire turrets and NPC factions attacking one another.
  • Priority Orders added RTS-style map commands with queueing and priority controls.
  • Comprehensive Rebalance of Weapons and Combat Mechanics improved turrets, shields, weapon behavior, and combat AI.
  • Guided Missile Accuracy and missile-fighter behavior received repeated tuning.
• Economy and salvage systems: Reworked Resource System streamlined resource acquisition and made resources move dynamically through sectors. Prospect behaviour added a new mining role, station-subordinate assignments, commander mimicry, and related map tools.
  • Prospect Assignment for Station Subordinates let stations direct subordinate ships toward prospecting work.
  • Salvage at Position Order gained scrap-type selection, while Kha’ak Ships provided a new production resource when scrapped.
  • Resource Probe upkeep missions and mining-efficiency penalties were removed.
• New content and construction tools: Ship Showroom Module let players display ships and build dedicated showroom complexes. The Exploration Update introduced new anomalies leading to unexplored sectors with unique discoveries, and Station Build Menu equipment details improved construction planning.
• Platform support: Cross-platform Cloud Saves unified Windows, Linux, and Steam Deck save and settings synchronization through Steam Cloud. Linux and Steam Deck Support also made the native Linux version the default on Steam Deck, while Legacy Versions remained available for older hardware through Steam’s version branches.

X4: Timelines Expansion released with a new scenario-focused mode built around historic and skill-based challenges, including score competition. Diplomacy Update (8.00) later added faction diplomacy, while X4: Envoy Pack brought a stealth-focused frigate, new missions, and a fresh sector to the open universe.

• Diplomacy Update (8.00): Added the Diplomacy system, dynamic diplomatic interference events, and an Embassy at the Player Headquarters. Players recruited hireable agents, assigned them diplomatic and espionage missions, and influenced alliances, rivalries, and faction relations.
• X4: Envoy Pack: Introduced the Envoy stealth-ready frigate, its pirate-operated Cypher variant, a dedicated discovery mission chain, a new gamestart, and a new sector. The Envoy also brought the Cloak stance, faction camouflage protocols, exclusive equipment, and an unusually detailed explorable interior.
• Hyperion Pack content: Added the Hyperion Expeditionary Ship, a dedicated mission chain, a new gamestart, and another new sector. The year also expanded connections around Terran and Boron space, including new sectors and station-building options such as the Radar Station Module and five new connection modules.
• Flight model overhaul: Version 7.50 substantially reworked ship handling, giving ships distinct flight characteristics based on size, weight, and engine configuration. It also introduced a separate energy bar for boosting instead of consuming shields, alongside broad engine and thruster balance changes.
• Combat and technology: Version 8.00 improved capital-ship pursuit, fighter attacks against large targets, missile and charging-weapon behavior, and weapon accuracy. DLSS, FSR3, and NVIDIA DLSS Frame Generation expanded graphics-performance options, while Behaviour Inspection Mode improved oversight of player-owned assets.

The X4: Timelines Expansion launched on June 20, 2024, adding a Harper Donel storyline outside the sandbox, new scenarios, and unlockable rewards. The same release's X4: Foundations 7.00 update overhauled major ships and expanded the universe with new sectors, landmarks, and the Existential Crisis endgame challenge.

• X4: Timelines: The expansion added a separate campaign built around new missions, scenarios, and rewards.
  • Harper Donel led a new storyline set beyond the standard X4 sandbox.
  • Timelines introduced activities such as racing, trading, mining, and combat scenarios with star ratings and unique unlocks.
  • Elite Sport, Theseus Sport, and Kestrel Sport joined the roster of ships obtainable through Timelines missions.
• Version 7.00 universe overhaul: The major update added substantial exploration and fleet content.
  • Hatikvah's Faith, Nopileos' Memorial, and SCA Free Port expanded the map with new systems and points of interest.
  • Teladi and Argon capital ships received redesigned models, while Xenon PE and Xenon SE were rebuilt and selected Xenon ships became flyable.
  • Terraformer ships, race-specific Managers' Offices, and the Observation Deck station module added new ships and station spaces, with XTECH 5 engine work improving presentation and stability.
• Endgame and progression: Existential Crisis became fully opt-in through a research step, while the Wayward Scion gamestart and Factions and Relations tutorial offered new entry points for fresh campaigns.
• Flight and combat: Capital ship combat movement and AI Navigation improved, the Sapporo received a new anti-fighter missile and repeated loadout tuning, and Xenon PE, Xenon H, and the Mutually Assured Destruction mission received balance adjustments. External Camera System revisions, Visual Enhancement Goggles, and Reduced Speed Mode also expanded how players controlled and viewed the sandbox.

X4: Kingdom End launched on April 12, 2023, bringing the Boron back to X4: Foundations with new ships, systems, and a dedicated story. The free 6.00 update also delivered a major technology overhaul through X TECH 5 and Jolt Physics, while Multiverse Team Seasons introduced online team operations.

• X4: Kingdom End: The expansion added a substantial Boron-focused content layer.
  • Boron ships and systems: Added a fleet of Boron vessels with distinctive designs and animations, plus new Boron gameplay elements.
  • Boron Story: Added the Boron storyline, which could later be started by speaking with Numanckaret aboard the Wayfinder.
  • Builder ships: Added the Paranid HERACLES, Teladi ALBATROSS, Split ELEPHANT, and Terran KYUSHU XL construction ships.
• 6.00 update: The major free update refreshed both presentation and fleet management.
  • X TECH 5 and Jolt Physics: Reworked graphics, lighting, shadows, surface detail, and physical simulation.
  • Position Defence: Let carrier-led fleets defend multiple locations dynamically.
  • Camera Mode: Added Live Stream and cinematic camera options for observing battles and other events.
  • Construction ships: Added new models for several existing construction ships and race-specific command consoles.
• Multiverse Team Seasons: The public beta added asynchronous online Ventures, team and coalition mechanics, and Operations built around shared missions.
  • Yasur: Added the light fighter as a limited reward, alongside exclusive ships and paint mods.
  • Brane Fuel: Introduced a mineable resource that accelerated online Ventures.
  • Venture Extension: Added an offline option for accessing exclusive Venture objects.
• Fleet and simulation improvements: Capital ships moved and fought more effectively, including better gate transitions and responses when many ships attacked one target; AI combat, trade behavior, boarding, salvaging, and low-attention combat also improved.
• Modding toolkit: Added a one-click conversion tool for older mod models, custom animations, automatic generation of component XML files, and dedicated waypoint creation for drone routes.

X4: Tides of Avarice was the defining addition, launching on March 14, 2022 with new pirate and scavenger factions, ships, stations, sectors, and stellar phenomena. The free Update 5.00 also expanded salvage, station management, and player-office functionality across the sandbox.

• Tides of Avarice expansion: Added new Avarice sectors, pirate and scavenger activity, salvage-focused gameplay, and story missions involving Protectyon, the Erlking, and the Astrid.
• Update 5.00 systems:
  • AutoSalvage gained Anchor Space controls, better scrap selection, and improved operation in hostile or hazardous regions.
  • Logical Station Overview added raw-scrap processing, Processing Module output rates, Protectyon Shield Generator information, and processing pause controls.
  • Gambling Den interiors, welfare modules, processing modules, a fifth subordinate group, and expanded custom gamestart options broadened station development.
• New salvage and pirate activity: Scrapyard Salvage missions gained ship-selection options, while hidden pirate operations, salvage-specific station upkeep missions, longer-lasting wrecks, and new equipment modifications gave the recycling economy more depth.
• Combat and simulation balance: Asgard main weapons became less dominant in unattended combat, capital-ship engine damage in superhighways was reduced, and fighter movement, weapon aiming, fleeing behavior, mining, carrier coordination, and police coordination were improved.
• Story and access improvements: Mission problems involving Zyarth’s Coffin, The Past a Prison, Enigmatic Avarice, and Brantlee Northriver’s Competition were corrected; Update 5.00 also completed Simplified Chinese localization, updated Russian, French, and Polish text, and restored Egosoft-account access to paint mods.

X4: Cradle of Humanity launched alongside the free 4.00 Update on March 16, 2021, adding Terran factions, sectors, ships, weapons, storylines, and broad systems changes. Later, 5.00 expanded sandbox play with pirate and scavenger ships, salvage, AMD FSR support, and further capital-ship improvements.

• Cradle of Humanity and 4.00: The expansion added Terran-focused gamestarts, economies, stations, and storylines, while 4.00 introduced volumetric fog, a transaction log, NPC communications, accessibility settings, and improved combat simulation when the player was absent.
• New progression and starting options:
  • Terraforming became a major end-game activity, supported by dedicated missions and new projects that changed planetary air pressure.
  • Custom Game Start let players set starting capital, explored sectors, faction relations, property, budgets, and story states, with import/export support.
  • Hostility management gained War Declaration, Mark as Hostile, Fire Authorisation Override, faction blacklists, and clearer hostile-status indicators.
• 5.00 ships and salvage: The update added the Erlking battleship, Astrid yacht, other pirate and scavenger vessels, and new capital-ship models. Salvage Shipwrecks for Resources introduced wreck recycling as a new source of materials.
• Combat, fleets, and empire management: Coordinated Attack gave fleet commanders a new attack option, while capital-ship movement, distant-sector combat simulation, police coordination, mining behavior, and station-based trading were improved. Build Station and Deliver Fleet missions also received rewards designed to provide a return on investment.
• Station building and presentation: The Station Editor gained module rotation, context menus, filters, improved construction-plan context, and a more useful sector backdrop. The Map remembered its previous state, the Encyclopedia gained search, and AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution improved performance and graphics-memory handling.

X4: Split Vendetta launched on March 31, 2020, delivering the game’s first major expansion with new Split clans, sectors, economy, ships, weapons, station modules, and story content. It also added Trade Rules, Crew Transfer, and substantial fleet-command improvements that broadened both empire management and combat.

• Split Vendetta expansion: The expansion added new Split family clans, systems to explore, Split ships and station modules, new weapons, and the “A lever to move the world” diplomatic storyline. It also introduced an unlockable game start and three standalone tutorials, including a flight school, alongside ships such as the Paranid Ares, Xenon T, and Teladi Cormorant.
• Empire-management systems: Three major tools gave returning players more control:
  • Trade Rules: Added separate controls for station buying, selling, supply offers, and ship sales.
  • Crew Transfer: Enabled individual or group transfers through transport capsules without location restrictions, with management from Empire Overview.
  • Construction Plans: Added import and export support so station designs could be shared with the community.
• Fleet combat and command: Sync Point let players synchronize ship orders for manual or automatic release, while Coordinate Attack gave fleet admirals a tactical formation and assault order. Fleet Control also received improved steering behavior and new AI scripts.
• Gameplay and balance: Trade Behaviour improvements made ship assignments more reliable, while Patrol Missions received stronger enemy presence. Turret accuracy improved, Split mining ships gained storage capacity, pirate target selection was refined, and capital ships handled supply orders more effectively.
• Presentation and large-scale play: Volumetric Fog added layered fog that interacted with lighting, and the improved graphics engine raised visual performance. Large games with many ships and stations also ran more efficiently, while French voice recordings expanded the localization options.

X4: Foundations’ November 14 feature update was the biggest shipment, broadening how players flew, managed, and crewed their fleets. It added X3 retro mode and head-tracking steering, player-owned-space policing, direct spacesuit docking, and a stronger graphics and audio presentation.

• Flight and fleet control: X4: Foundations added alternative steering methods, including X3 retro mode and head tracking; players also gained more control over drones and turrets, individual or group crew transfers, and the ability to dock directly in a spacesuit.
• Crew and space administration: Virtual seminars accelerated crew skill progression, while new policing options gave players more authority over their own space.
• Economy and AI: X4: Foundations received significant in-game economy improvements and enhanced navigation for AI ships. Newly built Xenon installations also received stronger defenses.
• Empire management: The Logical Station Overview gained storage-node consumption and production numbers, alongside updates to the Station Info menu. The Map, Encyclopedia, and Logbook also received improvements, while better target displays, mission guidance, and a configurable alert system made fleet oversight clearer.
• Presentation and operations: The graphics engine added new visual effects, Russian voice recordings expanded localization, and improved sound effects strengthened the game’s presentation. Shipyard building queue handling also improved when all docks were full.