Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers for new recruits and returning veterans. Not here? Ask on the Discord.
General
What is StarQuest: The Milky Way Wars?
A fan-run community server for StarQuest Online, the space MMO from 2007 where you play a person aboard a starship, not the ship itself. The original servers shut down years ago; this server brings the game back.
Is it official?
No. It's run by fans and isn't affiliated with Castle Thorn Software or NeXeon Technologies.
Does it cost anything?
No. The game is free to play and the website has no ads.
Can I get my old character back?
Characters from the original servers aren't available, so everyone starts fresh. Veterans of the original game can ask for the Veteran role on the Discord.
Getting in
What do I need to play?
A Windows PC, the game installer, Python 3 and the player files. Getting Started walks you through it in about ten minutes.
Can I play on Linux or Mac?
Linux works through Wine: see Getting Started. Mac isn't supported or tested.
Why do I need Python?
The player files use Python to apply the server's fixes and graphics upgrades and to keep your files up to date.
How do I make an account?
There's no sign-up. Type any new user name and password at the login screen; the account is created the first time you log in.
I forgot my password.
Ask a Game Master on the Discord; they can reset it.
Do I always start the game with PLAY.bat?
Yes. PLAY.bat keeps your player files up to date and connects you to the right server. The old desktop shortcut starts the game without the fixes.
How do I get updates?
Automatically. PLAY.bat checks for new player files every time you start the game.
In the game
Which factions can I join?
The Alliance, the Klinshaya, the Therataa and the Rodom, or none: trader, smuggler, bounty hunter, pirate or ordinary civilian. See the Manual.
Can I play alone?
Yes. When no players are aboard, your ship's crew can take the stations and follow your orders. It's more fun with a crew, though: find one in #crew-recruitment on the Discord.
What happens when I die?
You respawn and pick up the pieces. PvP is open outside the safe zones.
How do I change graphics or interface size?
Run SQO_settings.bat in your player folder. See Game settings.
How do I take a screenshot?
Press F12 in game. Pictures are saved in the game's Screenshots folder. Share your best ones in #screenshots on the Discord.
Where's the full manual?
On the Guides page: the Player Manual and the Refit Manual.
What do drugs, herbs and elements do?
That's for you to discover. The manuals name them but never say what they do.
Problems
I found a bug.
Press F9 in game. It sends a screenshot and the details straight to our 23rd-century time-traveling Bug Smashers. Crashes are reported automatically.
The game won't start or connect.
Check Common problems, then ask in #help-and-support on the Discord.
Is the server down?
Check #server-status and #announcements on the Discord for maintenance and restarts.