Vega Strike is an open-source space flight simulator offering exploration, trading, and combat in vast, dynamic star systems. It targets players seeking a deep, customizable space sandbox experience with original art, an extensive soundtrack, and a highly moddable engine.

How It Works

The engine utilizes BSP trees for efficient collision detection and rendering of complex environments, allowing players to fly close to detailed ship models. Its AI is scriptable via XML files, enabling custom behaviors and dynamic universe progression independent of player actions. The game features a unique "SPEC Drive" for intrastate travel and a "jump drive" for interstellar travel, activated at specific spatial anomalies.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Install/Run: Compile from source or use binary installers if available. Run with bin/vegastrike-engine -d<data_dir> [mission_name].
• Prerequisites: Linux/macOS/Windows compilation requires C++ development tools, CMake, and specific libraries (e.g., OpenAL, SDL2, GLU). macOS requires Intel-based Macs (x86_64).
• Data: Requires separate download of game assets/data.
• Docs: Compiling Vegastrike

Highlighted Details

• Original art assets and soundtrack.
• Dynamic universe with AI-driven events.
• Extensive mission scripting and AI customization.
• Moddable engine with support for custom asset sets.

Maintenance & Community

The project has a global community with active development and contributions. Contact and support channels include Gitter, mailing lists, and GitHub issues. Vega Strike Forums

Licensing & Compatibility

The project is licensed under the GPL. This may impose copyleft restrictions on derivative works, particularly if distributed. Compatibility with closed-source applications is not explicitly detailed but is generally restricted by GPL terms.

Limitations & Caveats

The README notes a potential bug on some Ubuntu versions where enabling PIE compilation can cause the binary to be misidentified by file managers. macOS support is officially limited to Intel-based systems, with Apple Silicon support being a community request. The Windows build notes that vegasettings is not currently building.