Dear X4 players,

The long wait is over - the Flight Model Update (7.50) is now available! We want to thank everyone who participated in the beta, provided valuable feedback, and helped us identify and fix various issues. You have truly helped us a lot.

This update brings significant improvements to flight mechanics and physics, making ship handling more dynamic and distinct than ever before. To help you adjust, we’ve put together this FAQ.



Q: What is this update about?
A: This update introduces a wide range of improvements across the game (see full changelog), but the most significant change is the updated flight model. Ships now handle differently depending on their size, weight, and engine configuration.

Q: What has changed in the flight model?
A: The way ships handle has been completely reworked. The changes affect every aspect of flight, including acceleration, turning, boosting, and braking. Each ship and engine type now has more distinct flight characteristics, creating a more varied and immersive flying experience.

For example:

• Small scouts and fighters remain nimble even at high speeds.
  
• Fully loaded freighters and miners experience more drift due to their increased mass.
  
• Large ships take longer to start moving in a new direction despite having high rotation speeds.

Q: How does flying feel different?
A: While ship mass, thrusters, and engines have always dictated how ships handle, they now do so more naturally and with fewer sudden changes in acceleration. There are more pronounced differences between engine types, manufacturers, and models, too.

• Paranid: Fastest travel drives, and ships that fly almost like they are on rails, but much reduced manoeuvrability at high velocity.
  
• Terran: Quickest travel drive charge-up time, very fast travel drive acceleration. Their ships are generally easy to use.
  
• Split: Fastest regular engines, and just enough travel drive performance to intercept most targets. Their ill-controlled drifting is a challenge for rookie pilots though.
  
• Argon: Very aggressive boosting that can offset their poor travel drive acceleration. Their combat ships benefit a lot from improved thrusters.
  
• Teladi: Designed to outlast opponents in combat and haul efficiently at any distance.
  
• Boron: The weakness of their regular engines can be offset by considered use of boosting and their pre-charged travel drives.

Q: Do I have to relearn how to fly?
A: While the core flight mechanics remain familiar, you may need to adjust to the new handling. Different engines now offer unique flight profiles, so experimenting with various configurations will help you find one that suits your playstyle the most.

Q: Can I revert these changes or get an engine that behaves like the old ones?
A: No, reverting is not possible due to the extensive changes to the flight model. However, certain engines offer handling similar to the previous iteration, so we recommend trying different types to find what you’re most comfortable with.

Q: Why does boosting no longer consume shields?
A: Boosting now has a separate energy bar, displayed around the speedometer. Engines determine boost duration and efficiency, so choosing the right one is important. Be careful, though, as NPCs also use this new boost system!

Q: What is the blue circle on my HUD?
A: That is the new Velocity Indicator, showing your ship’s actual movement direction. This is especially useful for ships that experience high drift, such as heavily loaded transports or those using powerful Split engines. It also comes in handy when flying with disabled Flight Assist.

Q: Has the Gravidar changed?
A: Yes! We've enhanced the Gravidar - it should be more readable now. The viewing angle has been improved, and far-away objects are now more visible. We also added a few more Gravidar modes that you can cycle [CTRL+M by default].

Q: What else does this update include?
A: The update expands the universe, refines mechanics, and enhances visuals. Key additions include:

• New sectors, offering alternative connections between Boron and Terran space and the main universe.
  
• Behaviour Inspection Mode, allowing for better management and troubleshooting of player-owned assets.
  
• Radar Station Module, significantly increasing station radar coverage.
  
• FSR3 and DLSS support, improving graphical performance.
  
• Numerous fixes and improvements (see full changelog here).

Q: Is the Hyperion included in this update?
A: No, the Hyperion expeditionary ship is part of the X4: Hyperion Pack mini-DLC and is not included in the free 7.50 update. You can purchase the X4: Hyperion Pack on Steam and GOG.

Q: What happened to my X4: Timelines leaderboard ranking?
A: Due to the major flight model changes, the Timelines leaderboard has been reset. However, your progress in the Timelines story itself is unaffected. Previous rankings have been archived and can be viewed here.

Q: Do I have to start a new game for the Flight Model Update and the X4: Hyperion Pack’s contents to appear in my game?
A: No - the Flight Model Update, as well as the X4: Hyperion Pack, will integrate seamlessly into your existing game sessions, regardless of whether you were playing the beta, or one of the previous versions of the game.

Q: I’m a modder. Where can I find documentation on the new flight model?
A: Documentation on flight parameters for ships, engines, and thrusters is available on the XWiki. You can find it here.

Pilots, the wait is over! Today marks another major milestone for X4: Foundations with the release of:

? The Flight Model Update - A complete overhaul of ship flight dynamics, making every manoeuvre smoother, more responsive, and more immersive than ever before.

? The X4: Hyperion Pack - A new DLC introducing the legendary Hyperion Expeditionary Ship, a new gamestart, a new sector, and more.

The free 7.50 update further improves and enhances X4: Foundations, making it more dynamic and immersive than ever before. And for those who want to support the continued development of X4, purchasing the X4: Hyperion Pack helps us push forward with our ambitious plans for the future - even as we're on our way to X4's 7th anniversary in November!

Let's dive into the details.

Fly Like Never Before - The Flight Model Update

The Flight Model Update revolutionises the way you pilot ships in X4: Foundations, featuring extensive changes to ship handling, and balance. Every ship feels smoother, more responsive, and more immersive than ever before.

What's Changed?

• Overhauled Flight Physics - Ship control and flight pathing have been completely revamped, making movement more natural and precise.
  
• Boost Mechanic Revamp - Boosting now has its own dedicated energy pool, allowing for more strategic manoeuvring during combat and travel.
  
• Enhanced Gravidar Display - Improved readability and functionality provides better situational awareness for navigation and combat.
  
• New Behaviour Inspection Mode - A new tool to analyse and adjust ship behaviours, giving you the ability to diagnose and solve problems with the ships in your fleet.
  
• Velocity Indicator - A visual speed display aids with precise navigation and in dogfights.
  
• Wide Area Sensor Array Module - A new radar station module enhances detection capabilities, expanding your strategic awareness.
  
• Graphical Enhancements - Major improvements to the graphics engine, including DLSS and FSR 3 support, making space more visually stunning.
  
• Ship Rebalancing - Every ship in the game has been rebalanced, with refined engine, thruster, and component interactions.
  
• New Sectors - Additional connections to Terran and Boron space, opening up fresh trade routes and exploration opportunities.
  
• Economy Adjustments - Improvements to trade dynamics and resource flow, enhancing the in-game economy.

For the Deep Dive Enthusiasts…
For those who want a deep-dive into the numbers behind these flight model changes, John Pritchett has provided an in-depth breakdown of the mathematical principles and calculations that drive this update. John's document provides information about the model, shows what makes it unique relative to other flight models, and provides examples of how the model is being used in X4. If you want to explore the mathematics behind the new flight model, you can check out his detailed and highly technical document on the subject here (.pdf, 12MB).

As a reminder, in case you haven't seen our news back when the Public Beta for this update started, we partnered with John Pritchett, a former Senior Physics Programmer from the Star Citizen development team, to rework ship handling for this Flight Model Update.

X4: Hyperion Pack - Command a Legend
Alongside the Flight Model Update, we are proud to launch the X4: Hyperion Pack, a brand-new Mini DLC that introduces the legendary Hyperion Expeditionary Ship to X4: Foundations.

What's in the X4: Hyperion Pack?
✅ The Hyperion Expeditionary Ship - A legendary ship, reborn in X4
✅ New mission chain - Earn the Hyperion through an exciting, story-driven experience
✅ New gamestart - Jump straight into the action aboard the Hyperion
✅ New sector - Uncharted space awaits your exploration
✅ New music - Fresh tracks to enrich your X4 soundtrack

Why the Hyperion?
Veteran X players will remember the Hyperion from X3: Reunion's Bala Gi Missions, where it quickly became one of the most beloved ships in the franchise. Now, it's back with a brand-new classification - the Expeditionary class.

? Fast, agile, and powerful
? Six main gun mounts & M-sized turrets
? L-class shielding & engines for durability and speed
? Increased Hull Missile capacity
? Small docking bay for three S-class ships (repair & resupply capability)

The Hyperion is the perfect ship for those who love high-speed combat and deep-space adventuring, providing a great deal of flexibility. It's not just a ship; it's a statement.

Get the X4: Hyperion Pack now on Steam!

Purchasing this DLC helps support the ongoing development of X4: Foundations - with many more updates planned for the future!

What's Next for X4?
With the Flight Model Update and the X4: Hyperion Pack now in your hands, it's time to look ahead at what's next for X4: Foundations. Our development roadmap is packed with exciting features, and here's what you can expect in the near future:

Diplomacy Update (Late 2025)
Prepare to engage in the intricate web of interstellar politics with our upcoming Diplomacy Update. This free base game expansion will introduce, among other things:

• Diplomatic Headquarters - A new facility where faction representatives convene, offering strategic options.
  
• Agent Missions - Deploy agents on independent missions to achieve diplomatic goals in the X universe.

This update will allow you to negotiate alliances, manipulate enemies, and engage in deep strategic gameplay on a whole new level.

Exploration Update (2026)
Uncharted territories await! The Exploration Update expands the horizons of X4: Foundations, featuring, among other things:

• New Anomalies - Discover mysterious anomalies leading to hidden sectors filled with unique secrets and challenges.
  
• Enhanced Scanning Mechanics - Improved Long-Range Scanner capabilities make deep-space exploration more rewarding.
  
• Diverse Missions - A variety of new exploration-focused missions, rewarding curiosity and risk-taking.

This update caters to players who love the thrill of discovering the unknown, adding new layers of depth and adventure to the game.

Please check out our full Roadmap news from November 2024 for more details.

Thank You!
We hope you enjoy the new content coming your way today and as always, we appreciate your feedback as we shape the future of X4: Foundations together. Thank you for your support on this epic adventure that has taken us to a new X4 record of nearly 11,000 average daily active players in 2024 - wow!

Fly safe!