00:05Shadows Rising
00:06Shadows Rising introduces a new starting point with the Age of Shadows,
00:10a turbulent era before the major empires have emerged.
00:14The galaxy is fragmented with pirate activity dominating vast regions of space,
00:20underdeveloped independent systems struggling to survive,
00:23and external threats like the hive active from the start.
00:27With this new experience, you can now play as the fully space-based pirates.
00:33You can choose to play as an established pirate faction,
00:36putting you in control of your own pirate base and fleet,
00:39or start as a lone pirate and survive in hostile space with just a single ship.
00:46Whichever path you choose,
00:48you'll select one of four pirate archetypes that shape your early strategy.
00:52Pirates offer a balanced approach.
00:54Smugglers specialize in resource trading and black market networks.
00:59Raiders focus on aggression and resource acquisition through force,
01:03while mercenaries profit by selling their military services.
01:07You will expand your influence across vulnerable worlds through contracts,
01:12trade, smuggling, raids, and other pirate activity,
01:16all to establish hidden pirate bases that act as footholds and sources of income.
01:22Later, upgrade these bases to fortresses,
01:25and finally, the criminal network to lay the foundations of your own planetary empire.
01:32Alternatively, build the legendary Anarchopolis to stay in space and reach the status of a legendary pirate.
01:41Players who start as a lone pirate can eventually create their own pirate faction,
01:46transitioning from a single ship to a full-fledged pirate organization,
01:50or instead survive long enough to prove to the galaxy that they are a legendary lone pirate.
01:58The wider galaxy offers contracts from empires, independent colonies, and shadow ports,
02:04ranging from espionage and deliveries to sabotage and targeted destruction.
02:10Shadow ports serve as neutral hubs beyond the reach of law,
02:14where technology, ships, information, and illicit goods are freely exchanged.
02:20The black market adds another layer of opportunity
02:23through high-risk trade in contraband and restricted resources.
02:27Players can also accept privateering contracts,
02:30fighting on behalf of other powers for a price,
02:33in effect, combining piracy with organized warfare.
02:38At any time, you can take direct control of your ship using an upgraded bridge mode,
02:44seamlessly switching between strategic management and ship-level gameplay.
02:49Ultimately, your goal as a pirate is to either follow in the footsteps of planetary empires
02:54to become one yourself, or to instead reach the status of legendary pirate.
03:01Empire gameplay now benefits from new systems and tools from the expanded pirates,
03:06giving players more opportunities to experience the galaxy in their own way.
03:11Place contract requests on the market to fulfill key resource shortages.
03:16Negotiate agreements with pirates to fight wars on your behalf.
03:20And trade with expanded junkyard shadow ports for their valuable salvage,
03:25to bolster your fleets, or discover technological breakthroughs.
03:29Fight them, ignore them, and work with them.
03:32The pirates will provide new paths for any Empire playstyle.
03:37The galaxy lives on.
03:39The galaxy lives on.
