Starship Simulator

Starship Simulator is an upcoming free-to-play space exploration sandbox video game developed by UK-based indie studio Fleetyard Studios. Set approximately 200 years in the future, the game aims to deliver a deeply immersive experience by combining a fully simulated, realistically designed starship with a scientifically accurate, 1:1 scale procedural simulation of the Milky Way galaxy.

Gameplay Overview

Starship Simulator focuses on exploration and deep simulation within a sandbox environment. Players serve aboard the UNSF Magellan, humanity's first true deep space exploration vessel capable of faster-than-light (FTL) travel.

Core gameplay involves:

• Exploring the Galaxy: Navigating a 1:1 scale Milky Way galaxy generated using real astrophysics principles. Travel between stars and planets occurs in real-time without loading screens.
• Detailed Ship Interaction: Managing and interacting with the numerous, fully simulated systems of the Magellan class starship. This includes detailed procedures like performing a full cold start of the Fusion Reactor, managing power distribution, and maintaining systems. Damage realistically affects ship components based on simulated cabling and hardware connections.
• Crew Roles: Players can choose from various distinct crew roles, such as Captain, Pilot (Helm), Science Officer, Tactical Officer, Engineer, Doctor, or even Morale Officer (Chef/Bartender) and Passenger. Each role has unique tasks and responsibilities, though players are not strictly limited. The ship is also populated by over 200 NPC crew members with their own needs (food, health, rest) and routines.
• Resource Management: The ship requires ongoing maintenance, fuel, and supplies. The crew needs food, healthcare, and positive morale to function effectively.
• First Contact: Encountering and interacting with procedurally generated alien civilizations through multiple-choice dialogue systems, requiring careful diplomacy to foster peaceful relations or potentially avoid conflict.
• Planetary Exploration: Sending probes or piloting shuttles down to planetary surfaces to explore on foot, investigate alien structures or derelicts, and collect samples (flora, minerals, potentially alien technology). Extravehicular Activity (EVA) is also possible for external ship maintenance via airlocks on C_Deck.

Key Features

• 1:1 Scale Milky Way: Explore billions of star systems across a scientifically plausible, procedurally generated galaxy spanning quadrillions of cubic lightyears.
• Deep Starship Simulation: Experience life aboard the Magellan Class starship, designed with real-world naval architecture principles in CAD software. Every system, from structural supports and hardware down to individual cables and pipes, is simulated. The ship features 7 decks and over 200 interactable rooms.
• Seamless Real-Time Exploration: Travel anywhere within the galaxy, from orbiting planets to interstellar space, without transitions or loading screens.
• Role-Based Gameplay: Choose a specific role and perform associated tasks, contributing to the ship's operation alongside NPC crew or other players in online co-op sessions.
• Dynamic Encounters: Discover unique alien species, derelict vessels, strange stellar phenomena, and ancient relics. Make meaningful choices during first contact scenarios.
• VR Support: Designed for both standard PC play and Virtual Reality.

The Magellan Class Starship

The primary vessel featured is the Magellan Class starship, humanity's first vessel designed for deep space FTL exploration. Its design emphasizes scientific plausibility, with fully realized interiors inspired by retrofuturism and architects like Zaha Hadid. Every room and system serves a functional purpose within the simulation.

Development

Starship Simulator is developed by Fleetyard Studios, founded in 2020 by Dan Govier (Lead Developer) and Claire Govier (Community & Social Media Manager). The game uses Unreal Engine 5.

The project was initially funded via a successful [Kickstarter campaign] in 2024, raising over £400,000. Ongoing development is supported through platforms like Ko-fi, where fans can continue to donate to the project, often receiving rewards or supporter perks in return (Starship Simulator Ko-fi Page). The base game is planned to be free-to-play, potentially supported by future DLC containing story-based content.

A public tech demo is currently available on Steam, showcasing core mechanics like ship exploration, reactor startup, and galaxy navigation. The developers have previously targeted an Early Access release, but players should refer to official channels for the latest timeline.

External Links

Website
Steam
Ko-fi
Kickstarter
YouTube
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