* Detailed colony management that includes for every individual colony its own economical model, taxes, laws, infrastructure and buildings.
* Intelligent battle logic that is more than just an addition and subtraction. Every ship is matched up against the other in a complex battle algorithm, ensuring that strategy can defeat brute force.
* Player run empires that can cross factions, creating interesting diplomatic challenges.
* Regular expansion to the game: Often several updates a day.
* A completely open technology research system, with millions of combinations and a unique result every time.
* Fully player-customizable ships, from the drive down to the type of armor and how much you use.
* Several factions to choose from, to fit your play style. Each one attracts a certain kind of player, and each side has its own flavor.
* A truly 3-D universe viewable in VRML, HTML, or plain text, boasting over a million planets and a hundred thousand systems.
The Outcast
Current Modifier:
100 % Upstart empires forcefully removed from the ranks of their faction, the Outcast are the runaway children of regimes that could no longer tolerate their presence for one reason or another. Possessing no link to each other besides a common name, the Outcast are an eclectic collection of criminals, idealists, rebels, pirates and generally unacceptable folk.
The Lost
Current Modifier:
98 % WARNING: THIS SELECTION IS FOR ADVANCED PLAYERS ONLY
Without ties that bind or obligations to anyone, every Lost civilization is unique and independent from the rest of the universe. Finding no common ground with the other factions, the Lost have decided to eke out an existence cut off from the major ruling powers, and have to deal with the hardships of a sometimes harsh and unforgiving universe by themselves. Often occupied more with survival than ideals, the Lost will always have a hard uphill battle ahead of them. They will begin in the Core of Alpha without a faction homeworld and also lacking many of the Faction mechanisms.
Unitology
Current Modifier:
96 % Thanks to a series of miraculous archaeological discoveries, the followers of the mysterious deity known as "Unitos" have found new, invigorating material to add to their teachings. Now, after years of sweeping reform and a crackdown on extremist sects, the Unitology has emerged as a modern, progressive nation. The leaders of the church must now find a new way to spread the message of their faith, as well as continue the search for Unitos' word.
Venture
Current Modifier:
102 % Starting as a small partnership between the most promising new economic powers across several galaxies, the Venture has grown at an unprecedented rate into an idyllic nation of opportunity and growth. The future looks bright for these brash new entrepreneurs, as increasing numbers of men and women from every walk of life drop everything to start anew on a Venture world. Some doubt, however, how long such a nation can last before collapsing in on itself...
Harmonics
Current Modifier:
92 % Believing the bodies and minds of humans too weak to survive much longer, the brilliant scientists and governors of the Harmonics have taken it upon themselves to work towards the improvement, and, ultimately the perfection of the human species. These efforts have received an unexpected boon from the young alien race known as the Genesis, whose rapidly evolving DNA may be the key to the Harmonics' success. Through hard work and constant progress, the Harmonics could create the perfect world... or a dystopian nightmare.
Bloodline
Current Modifier:
101 % Earth has found her wayward children, and is displeased. A rigid, militaristic people who believe unwaveringly in their cause, the Bloodline is tied directly to Earth, a planet long retired to ancient archives by the other factions. Citing the purity and survival of the species as justification, the Bloodline now seeks to unite all of humankind under a single banner by any means necessary.