X4: Foundations is a living, breathing space sandbox game that runs entirely on your PC. In this expansive universe, thousands of ships and stations engage in trade, mining, and production, all realistically simulated. Players can start as a lone pilot of a fighter ship and grow to manage a vast empire, commanding fleets and designing colossal space stations. The game allows seamless transitions from first-person action, such as boarding ships and visiting their bridges, to expansive strategy and management simulations. Players have the freedom to choose their own path and pace, making decisions that shape their journey. The core gameplay revolves around four main activities: Trade, Fight, Build, and Think.