¶ Getting started in Influence
Influence is a persistent, browser-based space strategy MMO set in the Adalian asteroid belt. Build an industrial operation, extract resources, manufacture goods, and trade with other players in a shared economy.
You can get started with a Google account or email address and purchase a starter pack through the in-game checkout. You don’t need to install a separate wallet to use the Influence Account login.
¶ 1. Open the game and sign in
Open Influence in a desktop browser. Choose Influence Account to continue with Google or email.
If you already play using a supported wallet, connect your existing account to access your crews and assets.
¶ 2. Choose a starter pack
Open Store → Starter Packs. Each pack includes crewmates and allowances to help establish your first operation on Adalia Prime.
| Pack | Price (USD) | Crewmates | Included construction allowances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer | $14.99 | 2 | One Warehouse and one Extractor |
| Strategist | $22.99 | 3 | One Warehouse, one Extractor, and one Refinery |
| Industrialist | $44.99 | 5 | One Warehouse, one Extractor, one Refinery, one Bioreactor, and one Factory |
Explorer includes allowances for two starter lot leases and five core samples; Strategist includes three leases and eight samples; Industrialist includes five leases and twelve samples. All three include an initial food provision and one food resupply allowance.
These benefits support your first construction and resource-gathering activities. You still choose your locations and carry out the actions that establish your operation.
Prices checked October 22, 2026. Review the current price and payment options in checkout.
¶ 3. Complete checkout and customize your crew
Purchase your selected pack through the in-game checkout. After payment, follow the crew customization screens to name your crewmates and choose their classes, traits, and appearances.
Submit your completed crew and wait for setup to finish. Your crew and starter benefits will then become available in the game.
¶ 4. Follow the starter missions
For eligible crews, the Missions section offers Your Foothold in Adalia, a guided campaign that introduces establishing an industrial operation.
Start by accepting the first mission and following its objectives. The campaign progresses from planning a Warehouse and prospecting deposits through extraction, storage, refining, biological production, and manufacturing.
Use the same crew throughout the campaign, including starting and finishing its actions. Follow the mission sequence and check the objectives before beginning work; progress from different crews cannot be combined.
The campaign extends beyond the buildings included in the smaller starter packs. As your operation grows, you will need additional infrastructure and resources.
¶ 5. Develop your operation
Your starter pack is a starting point. Continue exploring the player-driven economy: buy and sell resources, develop production chains, arrange transport, and cooperate with other players.
Plan for ongoing needs such as food, lot lease renewals, production inputs, and expansion. Actions take time, so you can make decisions, start work, and return later to continue.
For help, visit the Influence Discord or continue with the gameplay explanations below.
¶ User Interface Introduction
The Influence user interface includes the game launcher and in-game menus. The launcher has sections for play, store, help, rewards, and settings. The main in-game menus are the crew & action log (1), wallet & main menu (2), sidebar (3), time controls & orient view (4), and action & inspect (5). There are two primary views: Belt View, which shows the asteroid belt and includes filters, favorite asteroids, and flight plans, and Asteroid View, which provides detailed information on specific asteroids, orbiting ships, resources, and market details. When taking most actions, other than travel, you will mostly be in asteroid view.
For more details, visit Influence User Interface.
¶ Crew, lot, and construction basics
¶ Choosing your crew
A crew can contain one to five active crewmates. Classes include Miner, Merchant, Engineer, Scientist, and Pilot. Your combination of classes and traits affects how efficiently the crew performs different activities.
For a starter pack, customize your included crewmates during the purchase flow described above. Keep the same crew together while following the starter campaign; progress from different crews cannot be combined.
¶ Leasing lots and constructing buildings
Each lot supports one building. Starter packs provide allowances for eligible starter lot leases on Adalia Prime and construction of the buildings listed above. Check the agreement and construction dialogs for the benefit being applied and any remaining requirements.
Follow your mission objectives when choosing a location and planning a construction site. Planning a Warehouse is distinct from completing its construction; the campaign introduces these at different stages.
For construction outside your remaining starter allowances, you will need to obtain the required materials. Market prices and transport distance both matter when choosing supplies. Lot leases also require renewal, so check their terms and expiration dates.
¶ Planning ahead
Your starter operation begins on Adalia Prime. Owning another asteroid does not automatically move your crew there: reaching it and sustaining an operation requires transport and logistical planning. You do not need to buy an asteroid to establish your first operation.
Read action requirements before confirming. Many activities take time, and crew availability, food, storage, and transport affect what you can do next. The community can help you plan your first production chain.
¶ Your next steps
Use the current mechanics guides as your operation grows:
- Gameplay overview: understand the core loop and choose your goals.
- Crews and crewmates: plan who performs the work.
- Food: keep your crew supplied.
- Buildings: choose infrastructure and check construction supplies.
- Illustrated process recipes: check inputs, outputs, and base timings before producing.
- Trade and SWAY: compare suppliers and plan your budget.
- Travel guide: plan movement between asteroids.
For a broader introduction, read About Influence. For help with your next decision, join the community.