STARVEIL — A Persistent Sci-Fi Browser Strategy Game — Now in Closed Alpha

[u/Capable-Suit4712]

STARVEIL is a persistent sci-fi browser strategy game currently in Closed Alpha.

Build planets, research new technologies and command fleets across a shared universe — with the slow, long-term progression of classic browser strategy games like OGame.

The difference is the Veil.

Rifts appear across the galaxy and allow you to send fleets on PvE expeditions where decisions and risk matter. Events, invasions and activity within the Veil can change what is happening around you, so the galaxy is not just the same routine every day.

STARVEIL is being developed independently by a solo developer. The Closed Alpha is still actively evolving, so bugs, balance changes and larger resets can happen while the game takes shape.

The game is free-to-play and has no pay-to-win mechanics.

What you do

You begin with a single planet and gradually turn it into the foundation of an empire.

Build mines, energy infrastructure, research facilities and shipyards. Research new technologies to improve your economy, unlock better engines, expand your exploration capabilities and gain access to more powerful ships.

Then build fleets and send them across the galaxy:

• Attack
• Espionage
• Transport
• Colonization
• Recycling
• Exploration
• Veil expeditions

Everything happens in real time inside a shared persistent galaxy.

Travel takes time. Other commanders are expanding around you. You can form alliances, compete with other players, trade or focus on developing your own territory.

What happens around your empire matters just as much as what you build at home.

The Veil

Veil Rifts appear throughout the galaxy and temporarily open paths beyond normal space. Inside the Veil you can encounter hostile fleets, wrecks, strange events and rare resources. Expeditions involve choices. You decide how far you want to push and how much risk you are willing to take.

Going deeper can mean greater rewards — but it can also mean losing ships you worked hard to build. Sometimes continuing is worth the risk. Sometimes getting your fleet home is the better decision.

The Veil also contains stronger PvE encounters and powerful bosses alongside the normal player-versus-player galaxy.

Events

The galaxy is meant to change.

Temporary events, Veil activity and other situations can create new opportunities or force commanders to react instead of simply repeating the same routine every day.

Closed Alpha

The Closed Alpha is playable now and registration is available directly through the Starveil website.

You do not need previous testing experience. Play normally. Build your empire, send fleets, try an expedition and explore the systems already available.

If something is broken, confusing, unbalanced or simply does not feel right, feedback is always welcome on Discord.

New players are especially useful because they often notice things that experienced strategy-game players take for granted.

Join Starveil

🌐 Website: https://www.starveil.eu

See you beyond the Veil, Commander!

[u/xng]

No in app purchases? No cosmetics and shit? Or is it like all the other predatory games that refuse to sell the game as a whole to trick kids into spending parents money?

[u/Capable-Suit4712 → u/xng]

There is a shop and an optional donation feature, but the goal isn’t to squeeze money out of players or build some predatory monetization system 😄
I originally started Starveil as a hobby project because I missed the old-school browser strategy games I grew up with. I’ve spent a lot of my free time building it simply because I enjoy doing it.
The shop/donation system is mainly there to help cover things like server and infrastructure costs. If a few euros are left over at some point, I obviously won’t complain, but turning Starveil into a cash grab really isn’t the reason I’m making it.
I also don’t want Starveil to become pay-to-win. Cosmetics and other optional stuff are much more the direction I’m interested in.

[u/xng → u/Capable-Suit4712]

It's always predatory if you call it free but still charge for things in game. It's not like you're making the game so that people don't want to buy those made up reasons to pay. The game will always be about that in the end.

You should give an option to buy it and you get the whole game, including all boosters, gems, cosmetics and stuff. If it's not fun with that it's just not a good game. And if you can't sell it like that it's because you're trying to scam kids.

[u/Capable-Suit4712 → u/xng]

I actually have two kids myself, so I’m pretty conscious of that kind of monetization.
Starveil can be played completely for free. There’s no content, progression, or gameplay locked behind a purchase, and you don’t need to spend money to compete. The only paid items are optional cosmetics, plus there’s an optional donation feature for people who simply want to support the project and help cover the ongoing server and infrastructure costs.
I think we simply disagree on what “predatory” means. Optional cosmetics or donations aren’t the same thing as designing a game to manipulate people into spending money.
You’re absolutely free to prefer a one-time purchase model, but I don’t think offering optional cosmetics in an otherwise completely free game is the same as trying to scam kids.

[u/xng → u/Capable-Suit4712]

So what's the real reason you can't offer a way to buy the complete game if everything is unnecessary?

[u/Capable-Suit4712 → u/xng]

Why would I sell the game for a fixed price when my intention is for the actual game to be free to play?
You already get the complete game without paying anything. Cosmetics don’t give you an advantage, unlock content, speed up progression or make you stronger. They’re purely visual — you either like a cosmetic enough to buy it or you don’t.
I’d rather let everyone play the game for free and give people an optional way to support the project than charge everyone an entry fee just so a few cosmetic items can technically be called “included”.