A living space sim set between Crusader King and The Star Throne. Build voxel ships from finite resources, command fleets, trade, fight, explore 56 star systems, and forge relationships as the Nephilim war continues.

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Coming Soon To Early Access

The developers of this game intend to release as a work in progress, developing with the feedback of players.

Note: Games in Early Access are not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more

What the developers have to say:

Why Early Access?

“While this game is fully playable - a lot of decisions are still being made to make this a truly memorable experience. There is far more planned to expand the universe and simulation; and to add real social interactions to the simulated universe. As this is a living universe simulation at it's core, it attempts to simulate life, production, social systems, societies and more. There's a lot more to figure out to make this truly unforgettable.
The goal is to continue full development for at least 6 months following EA release to answer these questions.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“6 months approximately to ensure the game is achieving it's long term goals and has completed it's multiplayer engineering. Support will still continue beyond that scope to maintain the game.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“The full version will differ from the current version in many ways, but the core game will remain the same. Primary tasks include:
- Verifying multiplayer support
- Choosing multiplayer game modes
- Multiplayer Chat and social system integration
- Ground and in person combat system finalization
- Survival mechanics
- Increased RPG feature set
- more unique locations and improved canon depth
- Final direction of the social and relationship simulations
- Refinement of all 4x elements and balancing for multiplayer
- Improving colony management simulation for cities and stations
- Additional quest lines and canon verifications
- Universe simulation improvements and feature additions
- Further game balance considerations
- Additional features based on EA findings”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“For game status please refer to the 'About this' section for the Early Access state. The game description describes the game accurately. This will be updated. Most planned features and core architecture are already built into the game and it is fully playable. The remaining work is refinement and deepening of the simulation.
-Multiplayer is present but remains in development before being officially supported.”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“The early release price reflects the EA period of development and community participation. The finalized version will have a higher price.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“The community is invited to participate in the development process through direct contact, forums and other means to influence design decisions. Community feedback is essential to the development process.”
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This game is not yet available on Steam

Planned Release Date: 2026

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About This Game

-WELCOME TO THE STAR HEIR UNIVERSE-

THE WAR ISN'T OVER

Star Heir: Dark Crusade is a living space simulation set in the universe of the Star Heir, Star Heirs , and Star Heir Golden Age stories.

The game takes place between Crusader King and The Star Throne — during a pivotal period in humanity's struggle against the Nephilim.

The Alliance has survived.

The Nephilim have not been defeated.

Across the galaxy, civilizations fight for survival, territory, resources, and influence while new powers become entangled in a war that has already reshaped human civilization.

You are not the hero from the books.

You are a captain.

Your story is your own.

YOUR SHIP, YOUR WAY

Modify or build your ship from scratch in the shipyard voxel editor

Hire the crew you want and assign them to your ship

Install boarding pods or landers then Assign and equip boarding crews

With a fighter bay or hangar on your ship, you can purchase or capture fighters to deploy including LTEC (Large Transforming Exo-suit Complex) mechs which you can also fly

Build and capture addition ships and stations to create an empire.

A GALAXY THAT DOESN'T WAIT FOR YOU

Explore a living galaxy spanning 56 star systems and more than 20 factions.

Factions pursue their own goals whether you are watching or not. They mine resources, manufacture ships, establish trade routes, fight wars, form alliances, lose territory, and rebuild.

The galaxy continues moving while you play.

A fleet you ignore today may become tomorrow's enemy.

A war you join may change the balance of power.

A supply line you destroy may prevent an enemy from replacing its losses.

You are one captain in a much larger universe.

EVERY SHIP HAS A COST

This is a finite-resource universe.

Ships aren't simply spawned into existence.

Resources must be mined. Materials must be refined. Components must be manufactured. Shipyards must build the vessels that eventually enter the fleets of the galaxy.

Build and modify your own ships using voxel-based construction.

Choose from 27 ship classes, from small interceptors and couriers to massive capital ships.

Mine.

Trade.

Salvage.

Manufacture.

Build.

Then decide what your ships are worth to you.

FIGHT ORGANIZED FLEETS

Combat isn't just an endless stream of disposable enemies.

NPC fleets operate as organized forces.

Commanders assign roles, establish formations, request reinforcements, and decide when the cost of battle has become too high.

Flagships, escorts, screens, strikers, artillery, bombers, scouts, capture ships, and reserves can work together as a fleet.

When you encounter an enemy force, you aren't necessarily fighting a collection of ships.

You're fighting a command structure.

TRADE, DIPLOMACY AND SURVIVAL

The economy connects the galaxy.

Faction relationships affect trade. Your reputation can change how people deal with you. Authority, intimidation, diplomacy, and personal relationships can all influence negotiations.

Become a trader.

A salvager.

A mercenary.

A fleet commander.

An explorer.

A diplomat.

Or something considerably less respectable.

There isn't one correct way to survive.

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE WAR

Meet signature characters with their own personalities, histories, secrets, relationships, and evolving stories.

Talk to crew members.

Hail other captains.

Negotiate with station commanders.

Demand surrender.

Make promises.

Keep them — or break them.

Your relationships can develop through trust, respect, fear, attraction, intimacy, and faith.

Characters also have relationships with one another. They remember events, form alliances, argue, betray each other, and develop connections that can exist independently of you.

Your social history can become just as important as your military record.

A STORY WITHIN A LARGER STORY

Dark Crusade occupies a specific place in the Star Heir timeline.

It follows the events of Crusader King and leads into The Star Throne, during the uncertain period between them.

The Nephilim war is still being fought.

The Alliance is still struggling to hold together.

The future leadership of humanity has not yet been established.

The uneasy peace that will eventually lead to the Golden Age has not yet arrived.

For readers, Dark Crusade offers another way to experience this pivotal period of the saga.

For newcomers, the game is designed to stand on its own.

You don't need to have read the books to play.

But if you have, you'll recognize the universe you're stepping into.

THE NEPHILIM ARE STILL AT WAR

The Nephilim remain an active and dangerous force.

Humanity has fought them across multiple invasions, and the conflict has transformed civilizations throughout the galaxy.

Now the war continues beyond the Solar System.

New alliances are forming.

Old loyalties are being tested.

Civilizations that once stood apart are being drawn into the conflict.

And nobody knows exactly what the next victory — or defeat — will cost.

EXPLORE THE GALAXY

Discover 56 star systems through fog-of-war exploration.

Take on missions ranging from bounties and combat operations to story-driven objectives.

Recruit captains.

Build fleets.

Trade between worlds.

Explore planets and open space.

Fight, negotiate, cooperate, or simply try to survive.

YOUR STORY BECOMES PART OF THE GALAXY

You aren't following a predetermined path through the universe.

You're creating your own history within one.

Build your ship.

Build your fleet.

Make your alliances.

Choose your enemies.

Keep your promises.

Break them.

Fight for a cause.

Fight for yourself.

Or simply try to survive the coming storm.

The war is still being fought.

The future has not yet been decided.

What will you do while history is being written?

STAR HEIR: DARK CRUSADE

Build. Trade. Fight. Negotiate. The galaxy remembers.

AI Generated Content Disclosure

The developers describe how their game uses AI Generated Content like this:

Used in simple artwork, NPC chat systems, tactical realism systems, enhanced system design, economy management, debugging and design assistance.

System Requirements

Windows
SteamOS + Linux
    Minimum:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 10
    • Processor: I5-9500
    • Graphics: GTX 1070
    • Network: Broadband Internet connection
    • Storage: 2 GB available space
    Recommended:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 11
    • Processor: i5-11400
    • Graphics: RTX 3060
    • Network: Broadband Internet connection
    • Storage: 2 GB available space
    Minimum:
    • OS: Ubuntu
    • Processor: I5-9500
    • Graphics: GTX 1070
    • Network: Broadband Internet connection
    • Storage: 2 GB available space
    Recommended:
    • OS: Fedora
    • Processor: i5-11400
    • Graphics: RTX 3060
    • Network: Broadband Internet connection
    • Storage: 2 GB available space
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