Update (04/18/25): hotfix for shield AI issue, a number of other bugs, and a few balance adjustments. Full list of changes here; please re-download the game using the links below.

Update (04/02/25): hotfix for a number of assorted issues, and a few balance adjustments.

Starsector version 0.98a is now out! This release has the following major features:

• Several new endgame-level enemies to fight in the Abyss
• New ships, weapons, and hullmods
• Codex UI revamp
• Autosave, revamped save/load UI
• Intel map markers and little notes
• Revamped combat simulator with many options and opponents
• Planet search UI revamp
• New story (not “main” story) missions
• New music
• New portraits and illustrations

In addition, the game has been updated to use Java 17, which should substantially improve performance. As always, there are also many smaller changes and additions, including balance adjustments, polish, ship AI improvements, bugfixes, and modability improvements!

The full patch notes, and the comment thread, are here.

You can download the new version here:

(Alternate download links, please try the above first: Windows Mac Linux)

As always, thank you so much for your support!

Update (02/17/24): hotfix for a campaign music volume issue, an infinite credits exploit, and a other few minor issues. Full list of changes here; please re-download the game using the links below.

Update (02/13/24): hotfix for a post-battle crash if you have made a deal with a pirate station king.

Update (02/12/24): another hotfix with some fine-tuning of the colony crises, and a number of bugfixes.

Update (02/08/24): a hotfix with some fine-tuning of the colony crises difficulty (generally reducing it), an improvement to escort AI, and a number of bugfixes.

Update (02/03/24): a hotfix for a few comparatively minor bugs, including an infinite credits exploit and crash related to a specific mission.

Starsector version 0.97a is now out!

• Use exciting new abilities for getting around the Sector – Reverse Polarity and Generate Slipsurge
• Engage with new Colony Crisis mechanics with unique in-depth events that flesh out every major faction and have their own rewards (replaces Hostile Activity)
• Explore the Orion-Perseus Abyss and a new mysterious star system found deep in abyssal hyperspace
• Add a new low-tech phase cruiser (the Grendel-class) to your fleet
• Use the new “Escort Package” hullmod to amp up your destroyers and cruisers when used in combination with larger ships
• Take advantage of more powerful elite skill effects and the revamped Cybernetic Augmentation skill
• Discover more unique encounters, from castaways on the far fringe of the Sector to brewing trouble in the spacer bars of the Core

It’s worth noting that the Colony Crisis event, despite being just one bullet point, make up the bulk of the content in this update! One might think of each faction-specific event as a new mission, and some of these are very involved, both mechanically and in terms of new writing.

As always, there are also many smaller changes and additions, including balance adjustments, polish, ship AI improvements, bugfixes, and modability improvements! There are also a couple of new music tracks used when interacting with certain entities in the campaign.

The full patch notes, and the comment thread, are here.

You can download the new version here:

(Alternate download links, please try the above first: Windows Mac Linux)

As always, thank you so much for your support!

Update (5/20/23): a hotfix for a number of bugs, a few balance and QoL tweaks, and a return of the Pegasus to most of its former glory. Full list of changes here; please re-download the game using the links below.

Update (5/13/23): a hotfix for a number of assorted bugs, significant changes to the Hostile Activity mechanic (aimed at both dialing it down and increasing its interactivity), and number of other changes and improvements.

Update (5/6/23, 2:00pm EST): a hotfix for a crash when viewing the Hostile Activity intel in some circumstances.

Update (5/5/23, 3:15pm EST): a hotfix for a crash when viewing the Gilead shrine intel after visiting the shrine.

Starsector version 0.96a is now out!

• Take on new missions exploring the story of the Luddic Church and the Sindrian Diktat
• Cut deals Warlord Kanta’s pirates or Luddic Path fanatics to stop their attacks… though peace may come at a high price
• Fly new ships, including 5 new capital-class hulls and numerous smaller vessels
• Acquire new weapons, including a lineup of missiles that shoot lasers (“Directed Energy Munitions”)
• Face faction fleets with distinct identities driven by the new ships and weapons
• Deal with hostile activity at your colonies and master hyperspace navigation using the new “Event” system
• Build hullmods into ships to gain unique bonuses
• Additional illustrations, portraits, descriptions and encounters help bring the Sector to life

In addition to these, there are a slew of smaller changes and addition, including balance adjustments, bugfixes, modability improvements – along with a new exploration music track, and faction music for the Persean League!

The full patch notes, and the comment thread, are here.

You can download the new version here:

(Alternate download links, please try the above first: Windows Mac Linux)

As always, thank you so much for your support!

Update (12/20/21, 5:30pm EST): a hotfix for a late game hang while visiting a bar, along with a number of other fixes and balance adjustments (full list of changes here); please re-download the game using the links below.

Update (12/11/21, 9:20pm EST): a hotfix for a crash caused by defeating a [REDACTED] station and then a fleet in the same system is out.

Update (12/11/21, 4:00pm EST): a hotfix for an audio issue, background flickering during new game creation, cleanup of some dev options left in a dialog, and a few other issues is out.

Starsector version 0.95.1a is now out! This is a .1 release, meaning it’s focused on polish, bugfixing, and quality-of-life improvements – but more than the normal share of new features and sweeping changes have found their way into this one, as well!

• Skill system changed for more flexible builds with more options
• Several new game-changing top-tier skills, and other new skills
• All skills can be re-specced, no more “permanent” skills
• New ships: Eradicator-class Fast Cruiser, Manticore-class Destroyer, Vanguard-class Frigate
• Missions show the mission target location prior being accepted
• Dynamic slipstreams that enable quick and efficient travel in hyperspace
• Sensor ghosts in hyperspace!
• Improved early access to ships and weapons through arms dealers
• Phase cloak changes to make phase ships easier to deal with if they’re outmatched
• Ship AI improvements; ability to issue a “defend” order targeting a friendly ship
• Various balance changes to improve variety
• Modding improvements
• Assorted bugfixing, polish, and numerous quality-of-life improvements

There are many more changes; the full patch notes, and the comment thread, are here. This new release should be save-compatible. Due to the skill system changes, skill points and story points invested into any elite skills will be refunded, and the skills will be reset when a save from the previous release is loaded.

You can download the new version here:

(Alternate download links, please try the above first: Windows Mac Linux)

As always, thank you for your support! I deeply appreciate it.

Update #6 (04/22/21, 3:40pm EST): one more build fixing an issue with the main story line. Please re-download using the links below.

Update #5 (04/21/21, 1:20pm EST): a new build with many bug fixes and a few balance adjustments; full list of changes here). Please re-download using the links below.

Update #4 (03/29/21, 6:00pm EST): a hotfix for one more save loading crash, and some other tweaks/adjustments/fixes; full list here).

Update #3 (03/29/21, 6:00pm EST): a hotfix for another save loading crash, a fleet interaction crash, a soft-lock in a specific conversation, and some other issues (list of changes here) is out.

Update #2 (03/27/21, 7:30pm EST): another hotfix for a savefile loading crash, free d-mod removal bug, and several other issues (list of changes here) is out.

Update (03/26/21, 9:30pm EST): a hotfix for several issues, most notably graphical and input issues caused by the memory management launcher option (list of changes here) is out.

Starsector version 0.95a is now out! Here are some of the new things you can do in this release:

• Complete story missions and uncover some of the mysteries of the Sector
• Face new endgame enemies and acquire their technology, including new weapons and a unique capital-class ship
• Make playstyle-altering choices using a revamped skill system
• Customize your playthrough – mentor officers, specialize colonies, make permanent alterations to ships, and more
• Raid the core worlds for what you need using a targeted raid system
• Improve your colonies using lost technology
• Build relationships with contacts and gain new opportunities
• Take on many new types of bounties, choosing the challenge level you want
• Incorporate automated ships into your fleet

Some of the other additions and changes in this release include:

• UI scaling and support for 4k monitors
• Ship AI and combat balance/gameplay improvements
• Several new ships
• Mercenary officers that temporarily increase the strength of your fleet
• Many modding-related improvements
• Numerous quality-of-life and other improvements

This is by far not an exhaustive list. The full patch notes, and the comment thread, are here. You can download the new version here:

(Alternate download links, please try the above first: Windows Mac Linux)

As always, thank you for your support! I couldn’t do this without you.