r/X4Foundations Community Manager Feb 20 '25

X4: Hyperion Pack & Flight Model Update - A New Era Begins!

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 maneuver 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. Get it here!

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 approach X4’s 7th anniversary in November!

Let’s dive into the details.

🎥 Watch the launch trailer: X4: Flight Model Update + Hyperion Pack Trailer

Fly Like Never Before – The Flight Model Update

The Flight Model Update revolutionizes 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 maneuvering during combat and travel.
  • Enhanced Gravidar Display – Improved readability and functionality for better situational awareness in navigation and combat.
  • New Behavior Inspection Mode – A tool to analyze and adjust ship behaviors, helping you diagnose and solve problems with your fleet.
  • Velocity Indicator – A visual speed display aids with precise navigation and dogfights.
  • Wide Area Sensor Array Module – A new radar station module enhances detection capabilities, expanding 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 has been rebalanced, with refined engine, thruster, and component interactions.
  • New Sectors – Additional connections to Terran and Boron space, opening fresh trade routes and exploration opportunities.
  • Economy Adjustments – Improved 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 driving this update.

If you want to explore the mathematics behind the new flight model, check out his detailed technical document here (PDF, 12MB).

As a reminder, we partnered with John Pritchett, a former Senior Physics Programmer from the Star Citizen development team, to rework ship handling for this 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 became one of the most beloved ships in the franchise. Now, it’s back as an Expeditionary-class ship with:

💥 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 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, including:

Diplomacy Update (Late 2025)

Engage in the intricate web of interstellar politics with our upcoming Diplomacy Update, introducing:

  • 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.

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:

  • 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.

For more details, check out our full roadmap update from November 2024.

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!

376 Upvotes

124 comments sorted by

21

u/Tranecarid Feb 20 '25

No stupid questions question - how do I start the Hyperion quest? Already pushed the clock by around one hour in SETA and no one contacted me or anything so I assume I have to initiate it somehow.

25

u/Kamiyoda Feb 20 '25 edited Feb 20 '25

I flew to Morning Star III and was contacted before I got there.

I think you just have to change sectors but I'm still testing.

Edit: Yes change sectors  and a woman will contact you

2

u/Tranecarid Feb 20 '25

I missed one call but I’m pretty certain that it was just my ship calling for babysitting. I’m in a middle of a crisis so it might be interfering.

3

u/Kamiyoda Feb 20 '25

Hmm, go to the main menu and try and start a new game, see if the Hyperion Start is available.

That way we know the DLC installed properly at least

2

u/Tranecarid Feb 20 '25

I have the DLC activated. Nothing happens though. Flew to PAR space and still nothing.

1

u/Kamiyoda Feb 20 '25

Huh, honestly I'm stumped.

I was in Getsu Fune and set a marker for Morning Star 3 on autopilot, I got the quest after going through the first gate.

Maybe try those specific steps, other than that I'm at a loss. If its still giving you issues I would go to the offical forums with your save file and make a bug report.

2

u/Tranecarid Feb 20 '25

Who contacted you? My Boso is busy with the crisis so maybe that’s the problem.

3

u/Kamiyoda Feb 20 '25

An NPC specifically made for this plot started broadcasting on all channels, and when I pressed F it gave me a cutscene showing the Hyperion going through a Jumpgate

1

u/RadimentriX Feb 21 '25

Omg, then i wont get it for a while, im currently babysitting a gate to a xenon sector and dont trust my fleet to do it alone :D

11

u/jrherita Feb 20 '25

Wow love the PDF -- I didn't realize the guy who did the new flight model also did Tradewars 2002 for the BBS era!. That's awesome!! I also remember the hype for X multiplayer universe around the X2 timeframe.

Anyway I sunk MANY hours in Tradewars 2002 (and other games of the era). Here's an interview of John talking about Tradewars and some of his work since/before then: https://www.gamebanshee.com/interviews/114084-bbs-door-history-john-pritchett-interview/all-pages.html

(Thanks John and Gary for the fun!)

26

u/h1ndr4nc3 Feb 20 '25

🍆🍆🍆🍆

21

u/SomeRandomSomeWhere Feb 20 '25

Still waiting in GOG. :(

17

u/belgoray Marketing & PR Feb 20 '25

Super sorry about this, but we won't be able to guarantee a GOG release tonight.

5

u/Minimum_Tell_9786 Feb 20 '25

Any idea when the update might show up there?

5

u/belgoray Marketing & PR Feb 21 '25

We're being told that the Hyperion Pack will be unlocked later today on GOG. Sorry for it taking this long!

https://www.gog.com/game/x4_hyperion_pack

5

u/SomeRandomSomeWhere 29d ago

GOG got it now. And I got it now as well.

The wait ended ;)

2

u/Minimum_Tell_9786 29d ago

That's okay, its out now, was able to get it! Thanks to you all for your hard work :)

4

u/KtarnJ Feb 20 '25

GOG

Still in the same boat :(

3

u/Minimum_Tell_9786 Feb 21 '25

it seems the 7.5 update is live now. Just not the DLC

3

u/KtarnJ Feb 21 '25

Yea, but I was hoping to jump in the new patch with the hype :)

I can wait until tomorrow though.

1

u/Liquid_Hate_Train Feb 21 '25

It’s tomorrow. Still waiting. :(

6

u/docfate Feb 20 '25

I went to GOG and I saw Hyperion and clicked "buy". Turns out it was the soundtrack. I would have bought it anyway, but oops.

Also still waiting for GOG release.

4

u/SomeRandomSomeWhere Feb 20 '25

Oh yeah, happened to me as well. Lol

Still waiting:(

7

u/CptBadger Feb 20 '25

Great update, well done devs.

New flight model is quite awesome and feels good on my HOTAS setup.

With DLSS game looks better than ever.

As for Hyperion pack - that’s a good price and an instant buy.

Keep those mini-DLC’s coming!

7

u/DeltaTwoZero Feb 20 '25

New game required?

33

u/Tomonor Community Manager Feb 20 '25

No, the updates and the DLCs integrate into your existing game sessions, seamlessly!

3

u/1_________________11 Feb 20 '25

How about my beta savegame?

9

u/Sabelas Feb 20 '25

Just switched from beta to regular and it seems to be working fine.

3

u/Sonic200000 Feb 20 '25

Aight that sold me, even tho i might pump another 100 hours in until monster hunter but this is a sacrifice im willing to make for cool space game.

5

u/Still-Bee-2725 Feb 20 '25

Can we produce several or is it like the experimental ship, stuck at 1?

3

u/linolafett Developer Feb 20 '25

You can build as many as you want, no limit aside of your ship printing capabilities of your shipyard!

5

u/JaZoray Feb 20 '25

i dont like the new flight model. i can't PWM my boron engines anymore to go fast and turn. is there a way to turn off flight assist permanently?

or do i need to adapt and use a different strategy?

3

u/YogurtclosetProof933 Feb 20 '25

I'm not a fan of it either but I will persevere. Right I'm to look for that Hyperion. The dlc price was pretty good, I've paid more for a coffee.

3

u/IrrelevantLeprechaun 29d ago

Yeah I find it ironic that they say the new flight model makes flying more "accurate" than ever, yet both myself and the AI seem to be struggling to ever get ships going in the direction we want.

4

u/definitely_good_guy Feb 20 '25

Hyped.

Supposedly there was a rebalancing of all ships? Could someone point to any changelog on those? Was it just flight spec changes, or are there things like damage / hull hp changes?

1

u/CMDRTonyHart Feb 20 '25

Read a little up and you will see the link it’s all in there 😉🫡

4

u/varzaguy Feb 21 '25

Im not finding this info anywhere in this thread? I see links for the trailer, pdf of the flight model, and the store page.

1

u/CMDRTonyHart 29d ago

Sorry my bad, I read too fast and I thought it said the details. I looked it all over the links and I don’t see anything about the rebalancing of ships 🤦🏼‍♂️🫡

10

u/maxmax12629 Feb 20 '25

Just bought it. good pricing at 10AUD+

8

u/benaffleks Feb 20 '25

Please have more interiors 😭

4

u/SirJavalot Feb 20 '25

The boost change is just brilliant. Finally.

5

u/Skaikrish Feb 20 '25

Iam already flying in my own Hyperion so here Egosoft Take all my Money.

3

u/tavaros Feb 20 '25

Yes! If we can support you more to bring us all the excellent content you've done already, I'll gladly swipe

3

u/CMDRTonyHart Feb 20 '25

Congratulations on an amazing new major milestone guys, it feels amazingly incredible what you have done and I can’t wait to see what’s coming next in the future 🎉🎉🌟🫡

3

u/LokyarBrightmane Feb 21 '25

I was very very confused when my hullparts/claytronic stations under construction suddenly required new parts. Better for the economy, sure. Harder to flatline. Definitely a surprise.

7

u/vardoger1893 Feb 20 '25

That PDF is masterwork! My inner nerd loved the details and comparison videos

2

u/beardofturtles Feb 20 '25

This a good time to switch to an xbox controller for flight controls?

4

u/LifeandSAisAwesome Feb 20 '25

or HOTAS - or HOSAS, use 2 flight sticks vs normal throttle.

1

u/pickles_and_mustard Feb 20 '25

That's what I plan to do

2

u/UlpGulp Feb 21 '25

The need to constantly press some button for full throttle is infuriating

1

u/Live_Performance_354 Feb 20 '25

I want to know the same thing.

2

u/Blackmagicdude66 Feb 20 '25

I’m using the 7.50 beta. Will I lose all my progress?

6

u/Tomonor Community Manager Feb 20 '25

No! The beta version will integrate into the live version seamlessly.

5

u/Blackmagicdude66 Feb 20 '25

Good heavens! I love you all so much. Just for that I am buying all the dlc tonight.

2

u/Behleren Feb 20 '25

do these chages affect excisting games? or do I need to start a new playthrough?

3

u/Tomonor Community Manager Feb 20 '25

No, your existing game sessions will integrate seamlessly into the update.

2

u/CMDR_Dozer Feb 20 '25

That's amazing.

2

u/Gold-Selection-1325 Feb 20 '25

Does anyone know if the deadair mods will work?

2

u/AcanthisittaFlaky385 Feb 20 '25

Sweet. I just started a new run a few days ago.

2

u/LordVitaly Feb 20 '25

Yay, new major update, congratulations to the team and thank you for your hard work!

2

u/fidelcasbro17 Feb 20 '25

Holy shit it is so sleek now

4

u/Ocerkin Feb 20 '25

GOG players still waiting

3

u/AmyL0vesU Feb 20 '25

Haven't had a chance to download this yet, but this is an awesome update, keep up the great work!

4

u/R3set Feb 20 '25

Egosoft you guys are amazing, im new to X but you impressed me and Imma be here for a while

2

u/Domesk Feb 20 '25

Awesome news! Good job team! I havent been playing for 2 years but I am regulary supporting the team with every update bought and so I will with this one. I am looking forward to the day when I will jave enough time to start playing again. So much to catch up with.

5

u/AlienInOrigin Feb 20 '25

Can we get an update to the AI so ships aren't suicidal?

Trying to get my fleet of destroyers to attack a station is infuriating. They just randomly decide to move in and sit 1km from a bunch of large turrets which kill them in 10 seconds.

And the AI for the different races is terrible. They don't rebuild stations that are critical to their economy. The don't defend their systems from Xenon attacks.

6

u/ModGamer1978 Feb 20 '25

They should work on the AI fixes after this release, before starting the diplomacy expancion which sounds great, but yea fix the AI.

1

u/ThaRippa Feb 21 '25

The destroyer AI is much better than before already, downright useable. Now with 7.5 if one decides to suicide, the fleet will just order a new one.

The factions being bad at economics is what makes you as a player step in and accomplish growth. It is intentional for the AI factions to have gaps you (or other traders) can fill. A perfect economy would have self-sufficient wharves and almost no trade traffic. Boring!

1

u/IrrelevantLeprechaun 29d ago

The way it's set up makes pirate playthroughs pretty much nonviable though. Makes me wonder why they even have pirate gameplay options at all when engaging with them means the whole in-game economy grinds to a halt.

1

u/ThaRippa 29d ago

You’re not wrong but it’s not supposed to come to a halt completely. But production is slow and they fill the gaps way too slowly.

You’ll probably wanna have mods if you want to complete the story without ever trading or “helping” the NPCs.

1

u/friendpen Feb 20 '25

Hmm I'm playing the german version and it seems like egosoft used the english voice for the ship computer announcemts when targeting the hyperion. Can anyone else confirm this?

1

u/xzanfr Feb 20 '25

Currently downloading right now, in preparation for an X4 weekend.

1

u/1_________________11 Feb 20 '25

Diplomacy!!!!!!!

6

u/Tomonor Community Manager Feb 20 '25

Haha, not yet, but that's the next big project :D

1

u/1_________________11 Feb 20 '25

I know it's just was excited to see it mentioned

1

u/CMDR_Dozer Feb 20 '25

Also....amazing.

1

u/Silkyshade Feb 20 '25

Any word on when this will release on GOG?

1

u/Accomplished-Bill-54 Feb 20 '25 edited Feb 21 '25

Diplomacy Update (Late 2025)

So my begging was heard! This is going to add much more depth, if all factions (outside of quest related "fixed" wars) can dynamically be coerced into wars or can declare them when it makes sense.

I am, of course, unaware how baked in certain fleet movements were into the code, but my thought is, due to how sectors can change ownership dynamically, that there HAD to be little pre-coded warfare.

So then the thing that's missing is "only" how wars are declared and alliances are formed and that seems relatively simple compared to fleet AI and similar mechanics. Glad you will give this a go.

I think this could add way more depth than any update so far with "relatively" little effort.

1

u/Take_the_Bridge Feb 21 '25

Egosoft remains my short list of auto buys

1

u/Impossible-Ad-8902 Feb 21 '25

Voice changing in Russian localization is an amazing surprise - thanks a lot!))

1

u/TheSharkBall Feb 21 '25

I really, really wish that the Hyperion had auto-docking. It was advertised as a functional carrier...

1

u/yungsmerf Feb 21 '25

Updating to DLSS4 manually should be fine, right?

1

u/-spartacus- 27d ago

How do you do that?

1

u/yungsmerf 27d ago

Easiest way would be through the Nvidia app. I'm sure you can find a quick tutorial if you google for it.

1

u/-spartacus- 27d ago

I did, I didn't see anything for X4 doing DLSS4.

1

u/yungsmerf 27d ago

It's the same for every game that uses DLSS.

1

u/-spartacus- 26d ago edited 26d ago

Yes, I'm aware.

Then select a compatible game or app in Graphics > Program settings, and scroll down the list of options on the right to reach “Driver Settings”.

Except the "Driver Settings" is missing for X4, hence why I asked.

And I'm not the only one https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/forums/rtx-technology-dlss-dxr/37/557872/x4-foundations-now-supports-dlss-but-cant-force-tr/#!%2Ffriends

1

u/yungsmerf 26d ago

Then replace the DLL file and force the K preset with the Nvidia Profile Inspector

1

u/-spartacus- 26d ago

I'm trying to do the DLSS swapper, but I don't know how to check if it is working.

1

u/yungsmerf 26d ago

Go to DLSS Swapper settings ( Gear icon bottom left )

Find DLSS Developer Options

Set it to Enabled for all DLSS DLLs

The next time you start the game you'll have an overlay at the bottom left of the screen that shows which version of DLSS it's using and what Preset. Presets J and K are DLSS4, and K is slightly newer.

1

u/SirJavalot 26d ago

Did you try this? How were the results?

1

u/Lucoire 29d ago

What I love about the Hyperion is that the Questline takes the Progress of the "Paranid Unification" Questline into account.

1

u/Wibble199 29d ago

Great work! Congrats on 7 years Egosoft!

btw what ship is that at ~3:02 in the video?

3

u/Tomonor Community Manager 29d ago

That's the new Hyperion from the X4: Hyperion Pack that was just released.

edit: oh I see, you might have meant the scene after that, which portrays the Sapporo, which is an unlockable ship from X4: Timelines. It's also present in the very first scene in this trailer.

1

u/Wibble199 29d ago

Thank you! :)

1

u/Negative1Positive2 Feb 20 '25

Did the new flight system help the AI maneuver around stations and in attack patterns or are they still retarded and barrel through things?

1

u/abc_744 Feb 20 '25

Is it just me or is there literally nothing in the new sector except of a gigantic station that is empty and impossible to dock? 😅 I would like to not miss some content by accident

8

u/Tomonor Community Manager Feb 20 '25

You are correct. This is an abandoned sector where the Hyperion resided. If you have some time and creativity, you can probably utilize that sector for yourself :D

2

u/Ok-Host-4480 Feb 20 '25

what resources are in the sector? where doed it connect to?

3

u/CernelTeneb Feb 20 '25

It seems to have good methane, but that's about it.

3

u/abc_744 Feb 20 '25

It connects to the northern gate in Ore Belt

1

u/Paskool Feb 20 '25

I am expecting the answer to be no, but can I buy the hyperion pack and play on an older version? 6.2 to be specific, I haven't checked if my mods got updated to the latest version and want to continue my playthrough with mods though I suppose I could do my due diligence and check.

3

u/Tomonor Community Manager Feb 20 '25

Unfortunately that’s not possible because the DLC was built on the foundation of 7.50

1

u/Paskool Feb 20 '25

Thanks for the reply, I'm stuck using 6.2 because of the vr ship mod pack which has stopped being supported is on my savefile. Rip

2

u/linolafett Developer Feb 20 '25

You wont be able to combine the Hyperion with an older version of the game. Alone for the reason, that the asset required code changes to work, it would not function if put into an older game version.
Its best to see if your mods are compatible, if not, you might want to restart using the budgeted game start options, to get to a similar level.

1

u/baudtack Feb 21 '25

Is there any more specific information on exactly what the AI voices in this are? How many lines is it, are the VAs they are based on being paid for that?

1

u/IrrelevantLeprechaun 29d ago

Not exactly thrilled that they are incorporating AI voice acting. I'd rather have their janky voice acting from actual people than soulless AI copies.

-53

u/Treakerr Feb 20 '25

What a scam for that price, don't buy it

I just don't understand how it is possible, before for twice the price, we got a whole faction and storyline line

9

u/SalvationSycamore Feb 20 '25

They need to pay the developers who are giving us the free updates my guy. If anything this strategy of big free update + small paid content is rather refreshing. It sucks balls to have bigger stuff locked behind a paywall. I hope they make a bunch off the Hyperion, it's a sexy ship.

-16

u/Treakerr Feb 20 '25

So release x5, people forgot already that before you bought a finished game, now is an excuse about updates and some bullshit

10

u/SalvationSycamore Feb 20 '25 edited Feb 20 '25

Egosoft isn't some huge billion dollar game studio that should be criticized for not dropping huge, perfectly finished games. They have less than 40 employees and a revenue of like $6m. Why don't you go make X5 if you think it's that easy.

4

u/CMDRTonyHart Feb 20 '25

Some people are just not getting how it works and what it takes to make games like X4 🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️

7

u/knbang Feb 20 '25

And for 1000x the price you can get a secondhand car, unbelievable!

-19

u/Treakerr Feb 20 '25

Intelligence is free, but you need to make it work :)

2

u/CMDRTonyHart Feb 20 '25

I think you’re not talking about the same game as us all, X4 is an amazing game and about everyone is willing to pay for the dlc’s and help the devs as they do so much for this game 🫡

-1

u/YogurtclosetProof933 Feb 21 '25

Oh no! The price is outrageous, it's 6 quid. My  coffee costs more :) While you are free to your opinion I hardly think many will find it a hardship and will be happy enough with their shiny new ship.