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Stellaris 3.99.4 'Phoenix' Open Beta Release Notes


by Eladrin

Today's update includes some AI improvements and fixes to the new breadthwise job allocation.

[h3]Stellaris 3.99.4 'Phoenix' Open Beta Release Notes[/h3]

Fixes and Improvements
  • Significant improvements to the breadthwise job assignment distribution.
  • AI now understands the use of Zones.
    • (Known Inssue: Scripting weights are not yet balanced.)
  • Fixed cloaking detection tooltip overwriting value breakdown with generic description
  • Fixed demotions not working as they should
  • Fixed factions not forming.
  • Fixed the integration cost for subjects
  • Fixed tooltips for Commercial Zone building mentioning clerks and soldiers
  • Tier 1 Development focus tasks now award progress
  • Decreased habitat district cost and upkeep
  • Void Dweller prescripted systems now have larger deposits
  • Habitat districts now have the same base number of jobs as regular districts
  • Demense Zones now have the number of squire jobs increased by taking the Voidborne AP.
  • Shattered Ring, Ringworlds and Arcologies should now be semi-functional.
    • (Known Issue: The "rural" segments of Ringworlds do not yet have Agricultural or Generator zones to choose from.)
  • Add toggle on the header of the automation side panel to enable/disable planet automation
  • Move "decisions" in management tab and "resettle" in economy tab
  • Small fixes for planet view
  • Toggle icon in surface tab and add tooltips
  • Revamped several tutorial entries
  • Added a new Medical Center building that gives access to Medical Workers before Gene Clinics
  • Rebalanced Medical Workers
  • Rebalanced the Mutagenic Spas building
  • Entertainers and Traders no longer benefit from Gene Clinics, Augmentation Centers or Ranger Lodges
  • Added a has_any_industry_zone scripted trigger
  • The Revolutionary Medi-Gel now provides +25% Job Efficiency for Medical Workers


[h3]How Do I Opt Into the Beta?​[/h3]
  1. Turn off your mods. They will almost certainly cause you to crash.
  2. Go to your Steam library, right click on Stellaris -> Properties -> Betas -> select "stellaris_test - 3.99.4 Open Beta" branch in the Beta Participation dropdown.


All previous 3.99.* Open Beta branches will also remain available. If you are having issues accessing the latest version of the 3.99.* Open Beta, please see this forum post for troubleshooting.

For more information on the Open Beta, as well as the intentions and goals of releasing such an early, unpolished version, please see this dev diary.

We also have a new feedback survey this week, which looks at first impressions of Precursor selection, Databank, Species Modification, and Game Pacing Adjustments.

This week's Open Beta feedback survey is available here!

Stellaris 4.0 'Phoenix' game-changing update due May 5 with the BioGenesis Expansion

Paradox have today launched the new Season 09 Expansion Pass, which initially launches with the Stargazer Species Portrait. There's stuff that's actually interesting to come though, but you have to wait until May 5th.

Read the full article here: https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2025/03/stellaris-4-0-phoenix-game-changing-update-due-may-5-with-the-biogenesis-expansion/

Paradox date Stellaris 4.0, a "phoenix update" to attract new players and improve performance

Paradox have announced that 4X space strategy game Stellaris's next major overhaul will launch on 5th May, alongside the game's BioGenesis DLC pack. The latter adds living spaceships together with new civics, traits and megastructures, but I'm more interested in the 4.0 update, which they're branding the "phoenix update" in that it aims to overhaul performance problems caused by other updates and DLC bloat, while making "guidance and pacing" changes with new players in mind.


It doesn't sound nearly as exciting on the surface as living spaceships, I'll grant you, but this is a 4X game, don't forget - the mythological firebird is in the detail.

Read more

Stellaris 4.0 release date confirmed, as Paradox suddenly kicks off Season 9

All of sudden, Paradox has just dropped a flurry of details about the future of Stellaris. Season 9 has officially begun, there are three DLC packs on the way, and the Stellaris 4.0 release date is confirmed. Biological shipsets are coming, as well as new Origins, Civics, structures, and Ascensions. We're also getting a revamped Shroud system, new events, and there's a season pass available today. The 4X world might be competitive right now thanks to Civilization 7, Age of Wonders, and Endless Space, but Stellaris is about to get a lot bigger.


Read the rest of the story...


RELATED LINKS:

Stellaris 4.0 fixes the space game's performance problems with population rework

Stellaris console commands and cheats

Stellaris 4.0 will give Paradox space strategy game a much-needed 2025 overhaul

Announcing BioGenesis and Stellaris: Season 09


[h2]Metal rusts. Flesh adapts.[/h2]

It’s my great pleasure to announce the start of Stellaris: Season 09, with the BioGenesis expansion leading the way alongside the Stellaris 4.0 ‘Phoenix’ update.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3417870

The future of evolution is here. BioGenesis continues our remastering of the Ascension Paths by granting you unprecedented power over life itself and hatches May 5th, 2025.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3417840


[h2]Evolution had its chance. Now it’s our turn.[/h2]

Two Biological Shipsets
Command living fleets that evolve alongside your empire. Customize these genetic marvels for specialized roles, from ferocious Maulers to adaptable support Weavers, each capable of empowering allies and weakening foes.

Three New Origins
  • Evolutionary Predators: Push the boundaries of Species Traits by unlocking and combining unique phenotype abilities to craft the ultimate adaptive empire.
  • Starlit Citadel: Solve the mystery of your empire’s biological attackers while boosting hyperlane choke-point strategies with early access to the Deep Space Citadel megastructure.
  • Wilderness: Begin as a sapient planetary ecosystem, a living gestalt of countless lifeforms united in harmony, seeking to spread its consciousness to the stars.
Overhauled Genetic Ascension
Choose from three Ascension paths (Cloning, Purity, and Mutation) and over 18 enhanced Authorities. Customize your genetic ascension by blending Purity, Cloning, and Mutation traditions into a unique path for your play style.

Hives with a Twist
Encounter a Hive Fallen Empire, a fractured hive mind struggling to awake between its three splintered personalities.

Six New Civics
Genetic Identification, Crowdsourcing, Familiar Face, Aerospace Adaptation, Shared Genetics, Civil Education

Deep Space Citadel Megastructure
A versatile new defensive station capable of holding off powerful enemy fleets at any system.

Behemoth Fury Crisis Path
The apex predators of the stars are not bound by petty limitations. Cast off the biological weaknesses that hold you back, and become a force of nature.



[h3]The BioGenesis expansion includes:​[/h3]
  • Gestalt Hive Empires (also unlocked by Utopia)​
  • Two biological Shipsets with distinct mechanics from traditional spacecraft
  • Three new Origins
    • Evolutionary Predators
    • Wilderness
    • Starlit Citadel​
  • Civics
    • Genetic Identification
    • Crowdsourcing
    • Familiar Face
    • Aerospace Adaptation
    • Shared Genetics
    • Civil Education
  • Deep Space Citadel Megastructure
  • Biological Ascension (also unlocked by Utopia)​
    • Expanded with BioGenesis to include a mutable tradition tree that reflects your path through Ascension
  • Exploration of the effects of Biological Ascension on society
  • Advanced Government Forms
  • 16 new genetic Species Traits, including phenotype based traits
  • Portraits that change based on pop strata and leader level
  • The Splintered Hive Fallen Empire
  • Two Diplomatic Rooms and City Sets​
  • 7 music tracks
  • And a new Player Crisis Path​ - Behemoth Fury


Planned Dev Diary Schedule
March 27 - Biological Ships and Mechanics
April 3 - Ascension, Traditions, Advanced Governments
April 10 - Phenotype Traits, Evolutionary Predators Origin
April 17 - Deep Space Citadel, Starlit Citadel Origin
April 24 - Hive Fallen Empire, Wilderness Origin
May 1 - Civics, Behemoth Fury, Preliminary Release Notes
May 5 - BioGenesis Release Date

[h2]Stellaris: Season 09 Expansion Pass[/h2]
The Stellaris: Season 09 Expansion Pass is your gateway to an entire year of cosmic evolution, psionic mysteries, and apocalyptic infernos. With instant access to the exclusive Stargazer Species Portrait, this expansion pass delivers three major content packs that will redefine the Biological and Psionic Ascensions and the most ambitious species pack so far!

Purchasing the Expansion Pass grants access to all four DLCs as soon as they become available.





Stargazer Species Portrait (Instant Unlock)
Dream of the stars with this exclusive portrait, available immediately upon purchasing Stellaris: Season 09. Featuring three phenotypes and unique animations, the Stargazer Species Portrait is perfect for players who seek to embody the spirit of cosmic curiosity.



BioGenesis (Releases May 5, 2025 - $24.99)
Take command of the forces of life itself in Stellaris: BioGenesis. Engineer living ships and wield advanced genetic tools to shape the destiny of your empire. Will you create a utopia of adaptation and growth or weaponize biology to dominate the stars?

  • Overhauled Genetic Ascension: Choose from three distinct paths—Cloning, Purity, and Mutation—and customize your evolution.
  • Living Ships: Command biological starships that evolve alongside your empire.
  • Player Crisis Path: Unleash the unstoppable Behemoth Fury on the galaxy.
  • Three New Origins: Play as evolutionary predators, a sapient planetary ecosystem, or a fortress civilization.
  • New Megastructure: Construct the Deep Space Citadel to control hyperlane choke points.




Shadows of the Shroud (Releases Q3 2025 - $19.99)
The psionic plane holds untold power—but at what cost? Shadows of the Shroud is a complete overhaul of the Psionic Ascension path, introducing new moral dilemmas, Patron allegiances, and a whole new way of interacting with the mysteries of the Shroud.

  • Breach into the Shroud: Shape your empire’s spiritual destiny with a revamped Shroud system.
  • Shroud Panel: Track your empire’s attunement and unlock new powers.
  • Revamped End of the Cycle: The ultimate deal with the devil—can you delay the inevitable?
  • Psionic Auras: Let your Shroud influence shape entire star systems.
  • New Content: Origins, civics, ships, government types, and more!


Infernals Species Pack (Releases Q4 2025 - $12.99)
Forge your destiny in the Stellaris: Infernals Species Pack - our most ambitious Species Pack ever. Adapted to relentless heat and volatile landscapes, you wield the power of extreme environments to reshape the galaxy. Will your empire thrive in the heat, or be consumed by the very forces it seeks to command?

  • Player Crisis Path: Burn the galaxy to ashes as your empire thrives in destruction.
  • New Origins: Unearth ancient kin or endure the scorching wrath of a dying sun in two new Origins.
  • Volcanic Worlds: A new planetary class with unique districts, events, and archaeological sites.
  • New Species & Customization: Ships, portraits, civics, and more!

The Stellaris: Season 09 Expansion Pass is now available for purchase for $44.99 or regional equivalent, a 20% discount over purchasing the contents individually.

[h2]What’s Next?[/h2]
This Thursday we’ll flesh out the bio-ships!

See you then!

BioGenesis is now available for pre-purchase for $24.99 or regional equivalent,
or with a 20% discount as part of the Stellaris: Season 09 Expansion Pass, which is available now for $44.99 or regional equivalent.