On a fateful day, test pilot Kyle Brennan made a jump from earth into the X Universe with the iconic Xperimental Shuttle. This set in motion the events in X: Beyond the Frontier, which was released in 1999, and started the X series of games.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the X series!

For two and a half decades we have explored space, immersed ourselves in lore, managed economic empires, and fought in epic battles, through several main game releases, numerous add-ons, expansions and major updates - and we are far from done!

We would like to take this opportunity to reminisce a little about the past 25 years of X games, and have prepared a video in which Bernd Lehahn, creator of the X Universe, takes a flight down memory lane. Enjoy!

Celebrate the X series during the Steam Space Exploration Fest!
From September 2nd to September 9th, 2024, Steam is celebrating our favourite genre with its "Steam Space Exploration Fest". Whether you want to complete your collection of X games or jump into the X Universe for the first time, now is the best moment to do so!

Thank you all for following us on this quarter-century-spanning journey, and for being a vital part of our history. We are truly privileged to have such a great community.

Feel free to share your favourite memories from your years with the X series in the comments below.

See you in space!

We would like to bring to your attention an important update from GOG that will affect Cloud Save functionality for X4: Foundations. Starting August 31st, 2024, GOG is implementing new storage limits for Cloud Saves. This restriction limits the available space for Cloud saves to 200MB per game, i.e. 200MB for all saves for that game combined. This change could result in the deletion of your save files stored on GOG's Cloud if they exceed this limit.

Key Points to Note:

• Cloud Save Limitation: GOG has announced that any save files exceeding 200 MB per game will be deleted after the specified date. This means that continuing to rely on Cloud Saves might not be viable, since X4: Foundations will often have save files which, in combination or potentially even individually, exceed this limit.

• Back Up Your Saves: We strongly recommend that you back up your Cloud Saves locally using GOG Galaxy before the deadline. This will ensure that your progress is not lost. You can manage your Cloud Saves through GOG Galaxy by downloading them and reviewing your saved data.

• Disable GOG Cloud Saves: To avoid any complications, users can disable the Cloud Save feature using the GOG Galaxy settings. This will prevent any potential issues related to the new storage limitations.

We understand that this change may be inconvenient, and our aim is to help you navigate it. If you have any questions, or need assistance, feel free to reach out to the GOG support team.

A mere seven weeks or so after the release of our major 7.00 update for X4: Foundations, we're pleased to announce the release of the 7.10 update, bringing a range of improvements and fixes to enhance your space-faring adventures.

In addition to improvements to ship behavior during activities such as docking, mining and combat, fixes for smoother progression and completion of various missions, performance and stability enhancements, and a number of small but impactful improvements to the user interface, this update also features a new Factions and Relations tutorial to help players navigate the complex political landscape.

For a detailed list of all the changes and fixes, check out the full changelog in our forum.

Featuring as ships in the new X4: Timelines expansion, the Dart now includes a Travel Drive when unlocked in the Open Universe, allowing it to be used as a fast and efficient way of getting around the galaxy, while the Sapporo has been upgraded with a new anti-fighter missile to boost its combat effectiveness. Further improvements have been made in X4: Timelines itself, making its exploration and combat scenarios more engaging.

For those looking to make their mark, the X4: Timelines Leaderboards offer an exciting competitive element to the expansion. We're sharing a quick video guide here, to help more players learn how to log in and track their ranking. Join in and see your name rise to the top!

The 7.10 update for X4: Foundations is now live. Dive into the game to experience these enhancements and fixes that elevate your gameplay experience. Fly safe, and may your journeys through the stars be ever thrilling. And a big thank you to everybody who has been involved in beta testing 7.10 over the past few weeks!

The X-Universe is vast and beautiful. No matter where you are in the game, or what pursuits you are involved in, music is omnipresent. The music composed by Alexei Zakharov plays an integral part in creating the atmosphere of the universe and breathing life into its different locations and situations, from calm explorations to massive battles.

Today, we want to give you a glimpse into the mind of the artist behind the music, so we welcome Alexei for a short interview about his art and work for the X4 soundtrack. Enjoy!

Welcome, Alexei! How did you get into composing music?
I think that I always loved music. Even though none of my parents were musicians, music was always playing in our house. My dad was a fan of classic rock and was listening to Queen, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep… and little me was happy to be around that. My dad later told me that instead of lullabies, he was singing metal songs to me when I was born. Though I have never had a chance to get a proper music education, I was eager to play all musical instruments I saw, like old detuned and distorted sounding pianos at friends and relatives' houses, my granddad's broken balalaika (which I inherited), and every good sounding surface to use as a drum. When I grew up, I think that it was at the age of 13, my friend and I discovered our first music software, and I think that was one of the Trackers, probably Fast Tracker. There were many other software tools we tried back in the days, it was more out of the fun and I never thought that I would end up producing music professionally.

What are your biggest musical influences?
There have been many and they were changing throughout my life. As I have already said, I was really a fan of classical rock and I'm still listening to it. Also, some much heavier metal music. It always gives me energy, not always positive, but every energy and emotion is good for producing your own music. I also love to listen to some classical music: Sveridov, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov. Movie soundtracks too, but I am not a fan of modern soundtracks, when the sound is more important than the melody. Howard Shore is great in that regard, an amazing composer of an old school of soundtrack writing. As for games soundtracks, a lot are also way too generic these days. I can probably note Gareth Coker as one of the best composers in the games industry now. That guy rocks!

How did you come to create music for the X games?
It was a mix of luck and coincidence. Back in the day, I think it was the summer of 2003, I was already a fan of the X series and just on a whim decided to write an email to Egosoft, saying how much I love their games and how good the music in there was. I also mentioned that I am producing electronic music and would love to write something for them. A couple of days later, I received an answer from Bernd, the boss himself! I was shocked and happy at the same time, but he said that they don't really need any techno music, but that I am free to send whatever I have. I decided to write something completely new and after two days I had a track that I sent to him. He seemed to like it a lot and said that it will definitely end up being used in X2. This track was "Aurora" and you can find it on the X3: Albion Prelude soundtrack, which was released much later. After that, I composed several additional tracks like this and Bernd asked me to do music for a Rolling Demo, which was supposed to be released just a couple of days after his request. I composed four tracks for it on a very tight schedule, and the music was added to it just an hour before it was released. That was my first work for Egosoft. The rest is history.

Your music provides the X games with a strong identity. How do you explore the themes of the X-Universe musically?
I just play, explore and see myself... but trying to do that in small pieces. For example, we needed music for the HUB in our newly released expansion - X4: Timelines, I was just starting the game and making it run on a desktop for some time and was trying to imagine and feel what could fit each place there. After some time, I had a strict idea of what I should compose and how it would sound. After putting the tracks inside the game, I am also spending some time running around or just standing still and listening to the music and how it feels to be inside the game. Then I am showing the stuff to the team and listening to the feedback. That's my algorithm.

How do you approach your work on new X music? What does your creative process look like?
I have already partially answered that question in a previous one, but I can try to explain how it goes on a more global scale. On a global scale, it is always going very differently and sometimes even chaotic. Music production is spread throughout the whole development cycle. Since I am doing not just music, but the whole sound in our game, sound effects production and music production stages interchange with each other all the time. Sometimes it is hard to always change the way you work, but in other ways it helps to not be overly bored with doing the same stuff all the time. When it comes to the music composing itself, it is also coming very differently. Sometimes I just force myself to sit and write something, because I have to! But sometimes, I just manically wake up in the night and run to my studio PC to write a theme that just came to me in a dream. Music is such an unpredictable thing that it can get you in very uncommon places and you never know when exactly. And of course, these spontaneous tracks are the best. For example, track "Rise of the Protectorate" was composed like that. The idea of a vocoded robotized sounding choir came to me at night.

Do you compose only with electronic instruments, or do you also work with analog instruments?
I am mostly composing using hardware synthesizers and sampled orchestra. I own 6 synthesizers which I purchased during my career in Egosoft. Not everything at once, of course. My first purchase was a Virus TI, one of the most iconic modern synthesizers, which was sadly discontinued this year. It's one of my favourites for composing space-oriented music and I think that I will never ever get rid of it. Also, I own a couple of KORGs, and the last purchase was a Clavia Nord Stage 4. But if I need to enhance my tracks with live instruments, I contact my friends in the orchestra to record things for me. Whether it's a large-scale orchestra or just single instruments, it always sounds much better. Quite often I am also using real world sounds to enhance my music. For example, for the track "Mission Control" in X4: Timelines, I recorded the sound of my metal door. After working with that sound, I pitched it down and heavily effected it, it turned into this very ominous growling sound that you can hear throughout the whole track. That is just a small example of how these tracks become alive.

Which track that you have created for X are you most proud of and why?
I think that there is not one super specific one. Of course, I love what I do, but there is always room for improvement. We should never stop learning and evolve. So, I would leave that choice to our dear players and listeners.

Have you ever encountered a creative barrier while composing? How have you overcome those hurdles?
Of course, I have and that is a part of the creative work process, when you always have to do something new, but in a way, so that your audience will be happy and not disappointed. I think that is my main blocking factor, not to disappoint, and make it as good so the team and myself are happy with the results. But, as always, most of these blocks are mainly in my head and I tend to give them too much room. What helps? Hmm... maybe walking in the forest, or sitting on a bench at the river, always different stuff. But sometimes, the most helpful thing is just to force myself to sit down and just do it.

Are there themes or musical influences that you would like to explore further in the future?
We are always trying something new. Though in slow portions. But for the future, I would like to make a bigger step in changing music. It could become darker and much heavier, but of course, it will stay melodic.

What is your single most important advice for aspiring artists?
Don't start it, haha. It will take all of your time, heart, emotions and even eats you alive… and it is not guaranteed that you will become successful in any way and make you profit. But if you are not afraid, and have already decided to overcome all of this, it is your first step to becoming successful. Just remember how hard the road can be and that many famous composers were not actually famous during their lifetime. Many of them were unhappy and never believed truly in their work. Only much later have people acknowledged their genius. So, after saying this, my advice would be to believe in your work. Maybe today, nobody listens to it, but if you will be truly faithful to your job, there will be a time when it will be appreciated!

Besides creating music for a whole universe, what do you enjoy in life right now?
Oh, I don't have much time for anything else. Probably just playing games sometimes, since this is my first passion after music. Travelling to mountains, once a year. Mountains give me a lot of energy and inspire me a lot. I would say that this is my place of power.

Where can people follow you and your work?
Sadly, I don't have any website at the moment, since all we need are social networks these days. So, here are my social pages and music streaming profiles:

• Soundcloud
  
• Spotify
  
• Apple Music
  
• YouTube Music
  
• Amazon Music
  
• Deezer
  
• Tidal
  
• Yandex Music

Any last words you want to direct to your fans?
Thank you very much for being with me for all these years! Love you all!

When one beta finishes, another one starts - here we are again! Following the great reception of the free 7.00 update for X4: Foundations, we're diving straight into preparations for the next update. We look forward to your support in the 7.10 Public Beta, which is now available. You'll find the changelog in our forums.

How Do I Take Part in the Public Beta?
Every player who owns X4: Foundations has the opportunity to download the new 7.10 Public Beta version. In order to ensure that beta participants are aware of the risks and rules involved, we ask all interested players to visit our forum, where they will find the rules and disclaimers, as well as practical instructions for participating in the beta. Follow this link to our forum - no registration required - to find the relevant information.

Please share your feedback / bug report in our Public Beta Feedback forum. Before doing so, please make sure you read the Public Beta Rules and Information, which you can find in a sticky thread at the top of that forum.

FAQ on X4: Timelines and the Future of X4
In case you missed it: shortly after the release of the latest expansion, X4: Timelines, we published an extensive FAQ addressing some of your most pressing queries about Timelines. In the FAQ, we list all the rewards you can unlock in Timelines for your X4 sandbox, and explain how the development of X4: Timelines has positively impacted, and will continue to impact, the future of X4. We also provide a brief outlook on our priorities for the next major updates (likely to be numbered 7.50 and 8.00). Feel free to check out the FAQ in our Steam News.

Sapporo and Dart Ship Showcase
The 7.10 Public Beta is making some changes to two of our exciting new ships, so we're showcasing them a bit more closely in this news. Both of these ships can be used in your X4 sandbox by playing our latest expansion, X4: Timelines (see FAQ for unlock conditions). Please check the changelog at the end of the news to see the changes made to these ships in 7.10 Public Beta 1.

Sapporo
(originally a sturdy Terran deep-space explorer, later refitted to fill in as a nimble light destroyer and saviour of humanity)

"The Sapporo class was created as a non-combatant exploration vessel to be used to scout out new locations for the Terran to colonise. As the Terraformer conflict ramped up, the Sapporo was quickly redesigned to perform as a mobile command and control centre, able to oversee larger battles and provide a powerful pivot point for any battle. It still maintains several features of its originally planned role, such as its high speed and manoeuvrability."

Dart
(an unreasonably fast racer for the reckless, which pilots with a stronger sense of self-preservation may prefer to keep as a trophy)

"The Dart was initially released as a mail-in kit project, to which an aspiring racer could subscribe and have parts shipped to them periodically. Due to its popularity, the Dart was quickly offered as a ready-to-fly ship, and the project took no new kit customers. It is easy to identify a kit-built Dart from a production one, as the tooling for the rear titanium fins was recreated due to complaints about the fins' shape not fitting that of the rest of the ship. Despite being discontinued, the kits remain remarkably popular, and incomplete kits regularly sell for beyond the price of a production ship."

Modding Support: New Documentation in the X Wiki
We would like to inform X4 modders that we have changed the structure of the "Modding Support" section of our X Wiki. Additionally, four new guides have been added to the wiki:

• Attachment
  
• Docking Bays
  
• Elevator Setup
  
• Tags & Flags

Community modders have also added new guides to their parts of the Wiki, so be sure to check it out; it will certainly make a modder's heart beat faster!

Egosoft is excited to celebrate the release of the highly anticipated, major 7.00 update for X4: Foundations, along with the brand new expansion, X4: Timelines. These updates bring a wealth of new content and enhancements to the acclaimed space simulation sandbox game, offering both veteran players and newcomers an enriched gaming experience.

Introducing X4: Timelines
IMMERSIVE SCENARIOS AND UNIQUE UNLOCKS
Embedded in a new X4: Timelines storyline, you'll find a wide range of scenarios in which you will experience the many different aspects of X4 gameplay. Playing these scenarios will also unlock new missions within the X4: Timelines storyline, and bonuses for your wider X4 sandbox universe - among them reimagined, classic ships from X universe history.

MYSTERIOUS NEW STORYLINE
You'll take on the role of Harper Donel, a trader in the border territories, who is not averse to risky deals. A fateful encounter not only changes your short-term plans, but shakes the foundations of your understanding of the universe, and everyone in it. Prepare to be immersed in a tale of intrigue and revelation.

X4: Timelines is more than just an expansion; it's a revolution in the X4 universe. Whether you're a seasoned space explorer or a newcomer to the galaxy, this thrilling new chapter promises to captivate you with its blend of mystery, adventure, and strategic gameplay.

Update 7.00 - Elevating Your Space Experience
(Please check out the complete changelog in our forum.)

With the latest update to X4: Foundations, players are invited to experience the most comprehensive evolution of the game yet, with enhancements spanning content, gameplay mechanics, usability, accessibility, and technical performance. This new chapter introduces a series of transformative updates and features designed to deepen the immersive experience of exploring the vast reaches of space, engaging in dynamic encounters, and navigating the intricate economies and political landscapes of the X4 universe.

A Wide Range of New Content
The universe of X4: Foundations grows more intricate and vibrant with the introduction of reimagined Teladi and Argon Capital Ships. These iconic vessels have been meticulously overhauled, featuring designs that add a new layer of depth and intrigue to space encounters. As commanders take the helm of these majestic ships, they'll find each battle and exploration endeavour imbued with a renewed sense of awe and strategy.

The expansion of the universe also introduces players to new sectors and landmarks, beckoning them to venture into previously uncharted regions. These fresh discoveries promise to expand horizons and opportunities, offering new adventures and mysteries waiting to be unraveled. Complementing this expansion is the introduction of race-specific managers' offices, providing a unique cultural insight into the various factions populating the universe, and allowing players to further personalise their spacefaring experience. See the cosmos like never before with the new Observation Deck module, offering breathtaking views of the universe from the comfort of your space station.

New and Redesigned Xenon Ships
The 7.00 update will introduce several new ships to the universe, and we want to highlight a very special addition. We're thrilled to reveal the awe-inspiring, redesigned Xenon models PE and SE, which will gradually replace their previous models (P and S) in the open universe, just as the redesigned capital ships did back in 5.00.

Equally exciting is the debut of several Terraformer ships. These ships delve into the legacy of X: Beyond the Frontier (1999) to celebrate this year's 25th anniversary of the X series. These new models, reminiscent of their predecessors, can be encountered in the open universe. Get ready to explore these unique designs!

Flyable Xenon Ships for the First Time in X4
Hold on to your pilot seats, because there's more! With the 7.00 update, we are enabling you to actually fly selected Xenon ships. Both the redesigned Xenon models (PE, SE) and the new Terraformer models introduced in 7.00 can be boarded and flown, just like any other ship in your X4 fleet. Get on board to discover how they've been adapted for you to take control, offering a whole new perspective on the X universe.

Gameplay Innovations
In addition to all this new content, the 7.00 update also includes significant gameplay enhancements, such as the introduction of the "Existential Crisis" endgame challenge for veterans. This daunting confrontation pits players against a faction that spares no effort in its aggression, offering a thrilling new dimension of strategy and resilience.

A fundamentally improved and more intuitive external camera system also debuts, enhancing the way players view, and more importantly, interact with the universe, almost making it feel like a new game. Alongside this, AI improvements across the board make for a more dynamic and realistic universe. Ships now utilise Travel Mode more effectively, enter and exit it with greater consistency, and exhibit improved navigation through jump gates and in combat situations. These enhancements are complemented by reworked and expanded tutorials, ensuring both new and veteran players can fully engage with, and understand, the depth of the game's mechanics.

Usability and Accessibility Focus
With an emphasis on making the game more accessible and enjoyable for all, this update introduces enhanced button remapping and ready-made control profiles to match your steering needs in space. It also provides an FOV slider and new options for colour-blind players with customisable UI colours. Additionally, the update brings audio and text feedback for various actions to further assist players in understanding the game dynamics and making informed decisions. Furthermore, a reduced speed mode has been introduced for those who find the pace of the action a bit too hectic, allowing for a more controlled and leisurely gameplay experience. These features are designed to offer players the flexibility to tailor their gameplay experience to their preferences and needs.

The introduction of Visual Enhancement Goggles that let you zoom in on the action, along with a customisable radial menu for quick access to in-game actions, and reworked shaders in scan mode, further enriches player interaction and immersion. These improvements ensure players have the tools they need to navigate the complexities of space warfare and exploration with confidence.

Technical Advancements
At the core of the update are the significant technical enhancements made to the XTECH 5 Engine, delivering smoother and more stable gameplay. Players will notice the difference these improvements make, among them the temporal anti-aliasing that brings crisp visuals and the enhanced shadows that add depth and realism to the universe.

Updated Bundles
With the release of X4: Timelines, the X4: Community of Planets bundles on Steam have been updated to include the new expansion. Existing players can take advantage of the "complete your bundle" feature on Steam to receive a discount when purchasing X4: Timelines.

>> X4: Community of Planets Edition
>> X4: Community of Planets Collector's Edition

A Special Thank You to Our Community
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our dedicated players for their unwavering support over the years, and especially during the beta tests that have helped us enormously in the run-up to this day. Without you, none of this would be possible. We hope that you enjoy what we've been working very hard on over the past year, and can't wait to read your feedback. X4 is stronger than ever, and we couldn't be more excited to have reached this milestone. Your passion and commitment inspire us every day, and we are immensely grateful to have such a fantastic community.

Embark on an extraordinary auditory voyage with the X4: Timelines Soundtrack, an exquisite collection of music, created by the renowned X series composer Alexei Zakharov. This soundtrack accompanies the 2024 expansion, X4: Timelines, part of the celebrated X4 universe by Egosoft.

Known for his long-standing contributions to the series, Zakharov's compositions beautifully capture the essence of your interstellar adventures.

▪️ X4: Timelines Soundtrack Preview

▪️ Spotify
▪️ Apple Music: coming soon
▪️ YouTube Music
▪️ Amazon Music
▪️ Deezer
... also available on a lot of other music streaming services worldwide.

This is it! Only 7 days to go before 7.00 and X4: Timelines are released on June 20th, 2024. To take us into the final stretch, 7.00 RC1 ("Release Candidate") is now available to download.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our dedicated players for their unwavering support over the years, and especially during the beta tests that have helped us enormously in the run-up to this day. Without you, none of this would be possible. We hope that you enjoy what we've been working very hard on over the past year.

In case you've missed it, please check out our "road to release event" news with the dates for live streams, a Reddit AMA, the soundtrack preview and more.

Please visit our forum for the full 7.00 changelog overview.

We are excited to share some important dates leading up to the release of our new expansion, X4: Timelines, and our major, free X4: Foundations 7.00 update. Here are the details:

Friday, June 14, 2024
14:00 CEST (5am PDT / 8am EDT / 1pm BST)

• X4: Timelines Soundtrack Preview premieres on YouTube
  
• X4: Timelines Soundtrack is released on Steam

16:00 CEST (7am PDT / 10am EDT / 3pm BST)

• Captain Collins X4 Stream featuring Egosoft founder and Managing Director Bernd Lehahn

Monday, June 17, 2024
16:00 CEST (7am PDT / 10am EDT / 3pm BST)

• Content creators can start posting pre-recorded X4: Timelines content on their channels
  

19:00 CEST (10am PDT / 1pm EDT / 6pm BST)

• Reddit AMA with Bernd Lehahn
  

Thursday, June 20, 2024
16:00 CEST (7am PDT / 10am EDT / 3pm BST)

• Streamers can start live streaming with a preview version of X4: Timelines
  
• X4: Timelines reviews may be posted
  

19:00 CEST (10am PDT / 1pm EDT / 6pm BST)

• X4: Timelines Story Trailer premiere at a special, yet-to-be-unveiled event
  
• X4: Timelines is released (+ free major X4: Foundations 7.00 update)
  

Stay tuned and get ready for the countdown to release! Thank you for your continued support on our way to this massive X4 milestone.