Stellaris creators detailed free features of the upcoming 4.0 update — massive optimization boost and more

Late-game performance in Stellaris has frustrated fans for years. The time for big changes has come.

On May 5, the space grand strategy game Stellaris will receive not only the BioGenesis expansion, but also the free 4.0 Phoenix update.

Paradox detailed what will be changed and added in Stellaris 4.0:

They focused on late-game optimization issues: “we decided to group individual pops by species, strata, and ethics. This allowed us to dramatically optimize the number of calculations associated with the growing number of pops toward the late game.”

Demographics will become more realistic:

• steady population growth
• with an additional population growth priority early on, empires will have a large citizen population sufficient to colonize multiple worlds

Trade changes: 

• Trade routes are being removed — instead, trade value has been made a regular resource that can be spent and stockpiled
• Resource deficits on planets will now be compensated using trade value 
• Military fleets will also consume trade value: less while orbiting friendly starbases and more in enemy space

Megacorporations:

• Most corporate civics now grant bonuses to specific branch offices
• Only one branch office can now be built on each planet, but each provides its planet with more of the corresponding jobs.
• To balance branch office bonuses, influence must now be spent to build these holdings

A new mechanic in Stellaris 4.0 — district specialization: “You will now be able to choose two specializations for city districts, and one for generator, mining, and agriculture districts. District specializations provide each district with additional jobs of the corresponding type.”

Video: https://youtu.be/ZfZcwnZrZf4

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Cover image author: Paradox Development Studio, Paradox Interactive. Image source: steamcommunity.com