Frequently Asked Questions

What is Starship Simulator?

Starship Simulator is a space exploration sandbox where you serve as a crewmember aboard mankind's first experimental deep space exploration vessel. Your mission: explore the galaxy beyond Sol, locate habitable worlds, conduct scientific research, and attempt first contact with alien civilisations — all while keeping your ship and crew alive for the journey home.

What is the primary objective?

Exploration and survival. You'll chart unknown star systems, attempt first contact with alien species, manage your ship's health and your crew's wellbeing, and ultimately attempt to return to Earth. There's no single path — how you explore and what you prioritise is up to you.

Is the game single-player or multiplayer?

Both. Single-player is the primary experience, where you can take on any of the eight crew roles yourself. Multiplayer currently supports up to 14–16 players crewing the ship together, each taking a different role. Dedicated server support is planned for a future update.

What are the eight crew roles?

Captain, Pilot, Science Officer, Tactical Officer, Engineer, Doctor, Morale Officer (chef/bartender/counsellor), and Passenger. Each role has its own responsibilities, tools, and gameplay loop.

Does the game have VR support?

VR support is actively planned and in development. Full controller and HOTAS support is also in progress.

How much does the game cost?

The base sandbox — including all ships, the full galaxy, multiplayer, and all procedurally generated content — is completely free to play, with no micro-transactions and no content gated behind a paywall. Future paid content will include additional ships (estimated £5–10) and three planned story-driven single-player campaigns priced like typical indie titles.

How is development funded?

Starship Simulator raised £362,000 from 5,761 backers through Kickstarter. Ongoing development is supported through community donations via PayPal and Ko-fi. Visit the Funding page for more details.

Where can I play it right now?

A free tech demo is available on Steam for Windows PC. Download it here.

When is the full Early Access release?

Early Access is targeted for 2026. Follow development progress via our social channels and Steam page for the latest updates.

What platforms will the game support?

Windows PC via Steam is the current and primary platform. Linux is unofficially playable via Proton. Mac and console support are not currently planned. VR support is in development.

Is the game DRM-free?

Yes. The game is playable offline and does not require Steam to run once installed.

What are the minimum system requirements?

• OS: Windows 10 or later
• CPU: Intel i5 (recent generation) or equivalent
• RAM: 8 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti (4 GB VRAM) or equivalent
• DirectX: Version 12 with Shader Model 6.6
• Storage: 3.2 GB

What are the recommended system requirements?

• OS: Windows 10 or later
• CPU: Intel i7 (recent generation) or equivalent
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2080 Ti or equivalent
• DirectX: Version 12 with Shader Model 6.6

What expansions are planned?

Three major expansions are in the roadmap:

• Shipyards — a full ship-building tool allowing players to design and construct their own vessels
• Fleet — fleet management with smaller support vessels and shared galaxy infrastructure for player groups
• Colonies — a third expansion focusing on human colonisation of new worlds

Will there be alien derelicts to explore?

Yes. Procedurally generated alien derelict structures are already in development and will feature in the game.