Starting with a basic fighter ship, you must trade, explore, fight, research and build your way to galactic dominance. You control your 'Command Ship' and navigate in the main game area which is represented by a 2D starmap. Finding lucrative trade routes is key to creating a solid income for your Empire, which can be later used to contruct Colonies, Mining Outposts and Research Facilities. Explore vast galaxies discovering literally thousands of star systems and planets, noting mineral and artifact rich locations for development later.

You are also able to purchase new components for your ship, including the hull, engines, powercores, armors, shields, weapons and many special and unique systems which can give you the edge in combat. However to be able to use the more advanced components you will need to gain combat experience by destroying pirates and other hostile fleets. Remember also you will be competing against tens of thousands of other real players who will also be trying to better their empires. However, by forming strategic alliances with other players, you will find it easier to defend your outposts and colonies and of course you will be able to group together to gain a combat advantage against stronger foes.

For highly advanced weapons you will need to perform your own research and develop technology for yourself, however once you are able to manufacture this advanced technology. Research is achieved by constructing Research Laboritories on artifact rich planets where researchers can expand their knowledge with the resources available to them.