Planets can also have either positive or negative anomalies that improve or hinder the planet respectively. Later in the game, empires can research terraforming options which can turn poorer planets to better ones. Colonization options are unlocked through research, and lower tier planets can only be colonized when the required technology is discovered (except with the Sowers, who can colonize any type of planet from the start, albeit with a penalty). On top are Class M planets that do not require additional research to colonize, while at the bottom are Gas Giants and Asteroid Belts that are uninhabitable without major work. There are five tiers of planets, based on livability and colonization potential. Planets are the center to an empire in Endless Space, and each system can have up to six planets. Using faster-than-light technology to travel between star systems, players colonize and develop planets, meet other factions, trade or battle with them, and finally achieve victory through warfare, economics, science, diplomacy, expansion, or score.

In Endless Space, players control one of up to eight different factions to expand into space and achieve galactic dominance. But as these races grow and develop, the secrets of Dust might return to the universe. Dust thus became a rare and valuable resource, sought after by the races of the galaxy for its many uses. After the Endless disappeared, the knowledge of the creation and manipulation of Dust was lost, but their powers remained. The Endless rely heavily on Dust, creating information networks, infrastructure, and even entire spaceships and habitats out of the ubiquitous machines. Through the millions of years of evolution and advancement, the Endless developed self-replicating nano-machines to aid them and maintain their society. The first intelligent life in the universe was the Endless, and no other race grew as large or traveled as far as them. The game was available for play from an alpha state, and players were able to track the game's progress and give feedback to the developers through the GAMES2GETHER initiative. It was released Jfor the PC, and Augfor the Mac. Endless Space is a 4X simultaneous-turn-based strategy game developed by Amplitude Studios.

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