PCGame

X4: Foundations

Single-player space sandbox with a simulated economy and fleet command

Egosoft · Released Nov 30, 2018

ActionSimulationStrategy

AI-generated content disclosed

Reviews
Mostly Positive
75% of 27K
Recent reviews
Mostly Positive
76% of 204 in 30 days
Players
1,986
daily peak, Nov 7, 2026
Steam Deck
Verified
Last update on Steam
4 months ago
Jun 10, 2026
Minimum PC
GTX 1060
8 GB RAM · 35 GB disk
Full requirements

What is X4: Foundations?

This is a single-player, open-world space simulation and strategy sandbox where you begin with one ship. You pilot ships to explore, trade, and fight, then can build modular stations, automate production chains, and command fleets while factions expand and wage war independently.

For you if...

  • +you enjoy learning complex simulation and management systems
  • +you want a sandbox without a fixed playstyle
  • +you like shifting between piloting and strategic command

Not for you if...

  • −you want an easy-to-learn interface and quick onboarding
  • −you prefer clear endgame goals over open-ended play
  • −you dislike managing economies, production chains, and fleets

What players say

75% of 26,560 reviews are positive · 76% of 204 in the last 30 days

Players praise the scale and freedom of the sandbox, especially its simulated economy and progression from piloting one ship to managing stations and fleets. Players commonly complain about the dense interface, steep onboarding, and unreliable ship and fleet AI; some experienced players also find the late game short on goals.

Players over time

▼ -12% vs a month ago

Players online on Steam, one sample a day.

Highest since Sep 2026: 3,736 players on Sep 21, 2026.

Show the data
DayPlayers
Nov 7, 20261,986
Nov 6, 20261,640
Nov 5, 20261,533
Nov 4, 20261,624
Nov 3, 20261,658
Nov 2, 20261,617
Nov 1, 20261,891
Oct 31, 20261,836
Oct 30, 20261,425
Oct 29, 20261,485
Oct 28, 20261,500
Oct 27, 20261,672
Oct 26, 20261,755
Oct 25, 20262,183
Oct 24, 20261,963
Oct 23, 20261,680
Oct 22, 20261,683
Oct 21, 20261,669
Oct 20, 20261,755
Oct 19, 20261,868
Oct 18, 20262,195
Oct 17, 20261,985
Oct 16, 20261,735
Oct 15, 20261,750
Oct 14, 20261,789
Oct 13, 20261,883
Oct 12, 20262,072
Oct 11, 20262,327
Oct 10, 20262,035
Oct 9, 20261,867
Oct 8, 20261,802
Oct 7, 20261,833
Oct 6, 20261,817
Oct 5, 20261,964
Oct 4, 20262,236
Oct 3, 20262,022
Oct 2, 20261,771
Oct 1, 20261,795
Sep 30, 20261,796
Sep 29, 20261,917
Sep 28, 20261,980
Sep 27, 20262,376
Sep 26, 20262,212
Sep 25, 20261,994
Sep 24, 20261,961
Sep 23, 20262,236
Sep 23, 20262,161
Sep 22, 20262,257
Sep 21, 20263,736

Screenshots and trailer

X4: Foundations screenshot 1

X4: Foundations system requirements

Minimum: GTX 1060, 8 GB RAM, 35 GB of disk space.

As published by the developer.

Can my PC run X4: Foundations?

Tell us your graphics card once and every game page will answer this for you.

Set up my PC →

Minimum

OS
Windows 10 (64-bit) or higher
Processor
Intel i5-4590 3.3GHz or AMD equivalent
Graphics
NVIDIA GTX 1060 or AMD RX 5300 or equivalent (Vulkan 1.4 support required)
Memory
8 GB RAM
Storage
35 GB available space
Notes
Minimum: 8 GB RAM (base game) / 16 GB RAM (with all expansions installed)

Recommended

OS
Windows 10 (64-bit) or higher
Processor
Intel Core i7-6700 or AMD equivalent
Graphics
NVIDIA RTX 3060 or AMD RX 6700 or equivalent (Vulkan 1.4 support required)
Memory
16 GB RAM
Storage
50 GB available space

Does X4: Foundations have co-op or multiplayer?

No: single-player only, no multiplayer modes declared.

Does X4: Foundations run on Steam Deck?

Verified Yes, Verified by Valve: it works on Steam Deck out of the box.

  • All functionality is accessible with the default controller configuration
  • Shows Steam Deck controller icons
  • In-game text is legible on Steam Deck
  • Default graphics settings perform well on Steam Deck
  • External controllers are not supported for the primary player

PC version details

DRM
None declared on Steam
Controller
Full controller support
Platforms
Windows, Linux
Achievements
172
Steam features
Workshop, Cloud saves, Family Sharing, Trading cards
Languages
Full audio: English, German, French, Portuguese - Brazil, Russian. Text only: Italian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish - Spain, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Spanish - Latin America, Polish, Czech.

Does X4: Foundations use AI-generated content?

Yes. The developers disclose AI-generated content on the game's Steam page:

Game contains recorded as well as AI generated voice lines based on licensed voice artists.

The statement mentions: Voices

Self-reported by the developer under Steam rules: it covers AI content that ships in the game, not tools used to make it. Steam page checked on Nov 6, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam

Tags

Recent updates

15 DLC available.

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