Colonize asteroids, build infrastructure, discover technologies, engage in combat. Expand your influence across the belt.
You interact with asteroids from a third-person view similar to strategy games like Stellaris, Civilization, or Starcraft. If you have the appropriate resources or items, you can build the structures and ships that drive the economy.
Mining is a large part of Influence. Every asteroid has a unique composition of resources that lie beneath its surfaces. You use extractors to pull out raw and unrefined materials. Then, you will be able to refine these materials into various products using the refineries and factories or trade them on the open market.
Ships are key to traveling the asteroid belt. Influence employs realistic orbital mechanics and fuel consumption. Plot your flight plan to neighboring asteroids or far away destinations to participate in the trade or engage in combat.
Combat takes place in real-time. Tailor your skills, talents, and ship capabilities in your fight for survival. Losing a battle means major repairs, the loss of your cargo, or even the destruction of your ship. Negotiate, battle, or run; the choice is yours.
Technology and skills/talents in-game are gained by playing the game and earning experience. Technology is society’s ability to build particular things, whereas skills/talents are personal decisions that assist you along your desired path.
Crew members are your characters in the game. There are five classes: Pilot, Merchant, Engineer, Miner, Scientist. Each class has unique skills and boosts. You have up to five crew members at a given time. Whether your crew consists of five pilots or a random assortment of the five classes is your choice.