Stellaris, a space-based 4X (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate) game, is getting a narrative-focused expansion called Astral Planes. The expansion will launch alongside the Stellaris 3.10 Pyxis update due sometime next year. Designed to add mid to late game exploration content, Astral Planes adds over 30 Astral Rifts with branching narratives and storylines. These Rifts will transport players to entirely new realms of existence where even the fundamental rules may differ. Along with the 30 Astral Rifts, the expansion also includes eight new Relics, four Civics, one Origin, Astral Threads and Astral Actions, three new music tracks from Andreas Waldetoft, and some insights into old friends and enemies.
According to a post on Steam announcing Astral Planes, the Stellaris team has been working with Abrakam Entertainment since October 2022 on Astral Planes. Expect to learn more about Astral Planes in the coming weeks. The team at Abrakam Entertainment will take over the development diaries to share more about their vision for Stellaris.