A tight and tactical turn-based 4X strategy game where every move counts. Explore the galaxy, colonize new worlds, research powerful technologies, and command deadly fleets to lead your empire to victory.
Astro Protocol is a cosmic simulation program overseen by six rival galactic factions. On this platform, the fate of the galaxy gets determined by every battle, anomaly, and advancement.
Explore a unique hex-based galaxy map
Each map offers a new procedurally generated layout — and a new challenge. Explore bright stars, dangerous asteroid fields, resource-rich gas giants, habitable planets, and mysterious anomalies.
Discover anomalies and unlock powerful rewards
Anomalies are events where everything can happen. Each anomaly is AI-free and features hand-crafted art by the talented artist Sami Rouhiainen. Choose from powerful, game-changing rewards that shape each run in a different way.
Colonize and terraform planets to expand your empire
Some planets are ready for colonization, while others must be terraformed to support new forms of life. Establishing colonies expands your supply network, lowering energy upkeep costs and enabling deeper exploration. The more colonies you control, the more resources you’ll generate to fuel your growth across the stars.
Build space stations and ships to control the stars
Build space stations to harvest nearby resources from gas giants, stars, and asteroid fields. Use those resources to build ships with unique roles — from agile scouts to long-range carriers and heavily armored battleships. Shape your fleet to fit your strategy and gain control over your rivals.
Research new technologies to gain the upper hand
Mix and match technologies from three unique tech branches, each offering powerful upgrades that shape your strategy. With randomized technology options and limited research capabilities, no two runs are the same — making every decision matter.
Crush enemy fleets
Every ship has two attack stats: the number of strikes per round and the damage dealt by each strike. Whether your enemy is heavily shielded or armored will determine the tactics you’ll need to use. Shields regenerate each turn, but armor is permanent — choose your attacks carefully to exploit enemy weaknesses.
Race for victory points against rival factions
Gain victory points by controlling planets and stations and by discovering anomalies.
The first player to reach the required victory points wins!
As release draws closer, this update focuses on map generation, map graphics, visual clarity, and user experience improvements, based on feedback from our playtesters.
Map Generation & Graphics Updates
This update improves exploration, readability, and atmosphere across the galaxy:
Added another map generator, introducing more varied and less predictable maps
[/*]Added a new network indicator, now enabled by default for better strategic awareness
[/*]Added particle effects for harvesting metal, gas, and energy (thanks Pymous for the idea!)
[/*]Unexplored tiles are now fully hidden by black fog of war, while explored but unobserved tiles use white fog of war
[/*]Replaced space telescope image backgrounds with new painted backgrounds by our artists
[/*]Improved anomaly placement and added more anomaly types
[/*]Added icons to allied units and planets for quicker identification
[/*]
[img src=\"https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/45662822/21e8711949dce09e9be6cf31d4f49e2281bc3861.png\"][/img]
User Experience Improvements
Many changes in this update aim to reduce friction and make information easier to read at a glance:
Switched to a more readable body text font
[/*]Added colonizable and terraformable icons directly to planet labels
[/*]Improved nested tooltips system
[/*]Added more game settings descriptions
[/*]Unified resource icon sizes
[/*]Recolored and reordered ship stat icons for better readability (thanks Pymous for the idea!)
[/*]Center planet name is now shown in tooltips
[/*]Improved the loading screen and removed the blur effect
[/*]Shift-click to build multiple stations or ships at once
[/*]Added a button to center the camera on your home planet
[/*]Added a notification when a ship is attacked outside sensor range
[/*]Added more input and hotkey icons throughout the UI
[/*]Added clearer, more instant feedback on victory and defeat
[/*]Improved ship descriptions, tooltips, and tutorial texts
[/*]
[img src=\"https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/45662822/9d72a040b7ec6294f51176838de22b960b87b4c2.png\"][/img]
AI Improvements
AI behavior has been refined across multiple systems:
Improved AI evaluation of adjacency based production bonuses
[/*]Improved AI usage of conversion stations
[/*]Improved major faction AI behavior towards minor factions
[/*]Various additional improvements to AI economy and decision making
[/*]
Balance Changes
Several balance updates refine progression and faction behavior:
Rebalanced minor factions and their alliances
[/*]Generator, mining, and agriculture planets now provide only 1 resource per adjacent station, but have a base income of 2
[/*]Allowed the Myrmidon Horde to gain techs from anomalies instantly
[/*]Limited anomaly reward displays to a maximum of 3 rewards
[/*]
Fixes
Fixed resource icon colors not updating correctly
[/*]Fixed stealth ships capturing stations while moving through enemies
[/*]Fixed duplicate ships appearing in the buy menu
[/*]Fixed scoreboard scrolling issues
[/*]
More Playtests
If you\'d like to help make the game better or get access to the full version of the game you can apply to the playtest in https://nullvectorstudios.com/playtest
Thanks to all the playtesters for the valuable feedback!
See you among the stars!
Minimum Setup
- OS: Ubuntu 20.04 or compatible 64-bit distro
- Processor: Dual-core 2.0 GHzMemory: 4 GB RAM
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: Vulkan-compatible GPU (Intel UHD 600+. AMD Vega. or better)
- Storage: 500 MB available space
Recommended Setup
- OS: Ubuntu 20.04 or compatible 64-bit distro
- Processor: Quad-core 2.5 GHz or betterMemory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: Dedicated Vulkan GPU (e.g. GTX 750 Ti or better)
- Storage: 500 MB available space
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