Stellaris Dev Diary #376 - Announcing BioGenesis and Stellaris: Season 09

[BaliorPal]

have you tried not being a genocidal warmongerer?

I have never committed genocide. On the contrary, I often play as pacifists and rarely go to war, largely because it's boring and because war is not profitable. I play on the second-highest difficulty and don’t fight for about 80 to 100 years. That’s exactly why I keep saying that diplomacy is literally nonexistent. I WANT to engage in diplomacy, but there’s simply nothing there. I’ve made separate builds focused on diplomacy and the Galactic Council, and what’s currently in the game is just boring garbage.

 

[Falrinn]

Am I the only one who interpret the trailer speech as every non machine or cybernetic empire since machine age saying :
"We were all overpowered by The Machine Age tm, but we will be back and will overpower them with our new Biogenesis tm coming soon !"

I didn't read it at the time, but now that you mention it I think that may of been an intentional creative choice.

 

[SkyGuy7617]

 

[Nakkivene]

Ohh yeah. It all sound so good.

 

[qwary]

Reading headers was surprised to see the price disparity between organic ascension dlc and psionic dlc. Reading the features I can see why it is so, it seems that psionics add nothing to empires that aren't going onto the said path. That's kinda weird, no new megastructure, crisis, player crisis or some common mechanic rework (think robots earning their individuality). I hope there is something extra we are missing, because while it does seems like a very chunky dlc it's always kinda disappointing if entire dlc is tunneled into one "thing".

 

[Ajacoba]

Reading headers was surprised to see the price disparity between organic ascension dlc and psionic dlc. Reading the features I can see why it is so, it seems that psionics add nothing to empires that aren't going onto the said path. That's kinda weird, no new megastructure, crisis, player crisis or some common mechanic rework (think robots earning their individuality). I hope there is something extra we are missing, because while it does seems like a very chunky dlc it's always kinda disappointing if entire dlc is tunneled into one "thing".

the origins, events, ships "and much more" might be freely available
also AI empires might use it against you when they rewrite reality
giving AI new tools never hurts

 

[Beauty Nova]

I am so relieved to see bio ascension getting more than just meat ships. Can't wait to see the new civics and tradition tree!

 

[Casko]

Suggestion for Devs: Since you're going to be adding even more civics now, and in the future, I would suggest adding a simple search function to the Civics. So when you unlock a new slot, or even just in empire creation, you do not need to scroll through quite as much.
something akin to you type in "research" or "stability" and it would list the civics that give you those.

 

[TrueWolves]

Hopefully we'll finally get a version of this mod that doesn't get abandoned as soon as the game updates.

I'm a bloody novice but I'll put make an attempt that's more than just "grab the perks and tradition trees and watch as nothing references each other." Or help someone if they're doing a better job than me. May the future be blinding.

 

[Thiend]

Another question; is any of the bioship stuff compatible with cybernetic and/or psionic ascension? Psionic bioships is something I'd be very excited for, but its not unreasonable for it to be only genetic ascension.

 

[Dragatus]

Another year with a terrible war system, no internal politics, no good diplomacy, and dead espionage.

Internal politics is expansion material, but the other three are all big, once-per-year custodian projects. It was clear we were not getting them the moment they announced that they were doing a pop & economy rework.

Maybe next year.

 

[Mithrill]

Gosh dang it, Paradox, I was planning on getting AoW4 DLCs as my Easter gaming splurge... Oh well.

 

[Archael90]

Metal rusts. Flesh adapts.​

It’s my great pleasure to announce the start of Stellaris: Season 09, with the BioGenesis expansion leading the way alongside the Stellaris 4.0 ‘Phoenix’ update.

The future of evolution is here. BioGenesis continues our remastering of the Ascension Paths by granting you unprecedented power over life itself and hatches May 5th, 2025.

View attachment 1268303​

Evolution had its chance. Now it’s our turn.​

Two Biological Shipsets

Command living fleets that evolve alongside your empire. Customize these genetic marvels for specialized roles, from ferocious Maulers to adaptable support Weavers, each capable of empowering allies and weakening foes.

Three New Origins

• Evolutionary Predators: Push the boundaries of Species Traits by unlocking and combining unique phenotype abilities to craft the ultimate adaptive empire.
• Starlit Citadel: Solve the mystery of your empire’s biological attackers while boosting hyperlane choke-point strategies with early access to the Deep Space Citadel megastructure.
• Wilderness: Begin as a sapient planetary ecosystem, a living gestalt of countless lifeforms united in harmony, seeking to spread its consciousness to the stars.

Overhauled Genetic Ascension

Choose from three Ascension paths (Cloning, Purity, and Mutation) and over 18 enhanced Authorities. Customize your genetic ascension by blending Purity, Cloning, and Mutation traditions into a unique path for your play style.

Hives with a Twist

Encounter a Hive Fallen Empire, a fractured hive mind struggling to awake between its three splintered personalities.

Six New Civics

• Genetic Identification, Crowdsourcing, Familiar Face, Aerospace Adaptation, Shared Genetics, Civil Education

Deep Space Citadel Megastructure

A versatile new defensive station capable of holding off powerful enemy fleets at any system.

Behemoth Fury Crisis Path

The apex predators of the stars are not bound by petty limitations. Cast off the biological weaknesses that hold you back, and become a force of nature.

View attachment 1268304​

The BioGenesis expansion includes:​

• Gestalt Hive Empires (also unlocked by Utopia)
• Two biological Shipsets with distinct mechanics from traditional spacecraft
• Three new Origins
  • Evolutionary Predators
  • Wilderness
  • Starlit Citadel
• Civics
  • Genetic Identification
  • Crowdsourcing
  • Familiar Face
  • Aerospace Adaptation
  • Shared Genetics
  • Civil Education
• Deep Space Citadel Megastructure
• Biological Ascension (also unlocked by Utopia)
  • Expanded with BioGenesis to include a mutable tradition tree that reflects your path through Ascension
• Exploration of the effects of Biological Ascension on society
• Advanced Government Forms
• 16 new genetic Species Traits, including phenotype based traits
• Portraits that change based on pop strata and leader level
• The Splintered Hive Fallen Empire
• Two Diplomatic Rooms and City Sets
• 7 music tracks
• And a new Player Crisis Path - Behemoth Fury

View attachment 1268305


Planned Dev Diary Schedule​

March 27​	Biological Ships and Mechanics​
April 3​	Ascension, Traditions, Advanced Governments​
April 10​	Phenotype Traits, Evolutionary Predators Origin​
April 17​	Deep Space Citadel, Starlit Citadel Origin​
April 24​	Hive Fallen Empire, Wilderness Origin​
May 1​	Civics, Behemoth Fury, Preliminary Release Notes​
May 5​	BioGenesis Release Date​

Stellaris: Season 09 Expansion Pass​

The Stellaris: Season 09 Expansion Pass is your gateway to an entire year of cosmic evolution, psionic mysteries, and apocalyptic infernos. With instant access to the exclusive Stargazer Species Portrait, this expansion pass delivers three major content packs that will redefine the Biological and Psionic Ascensions and the most ambitious species pack so far!

Purchasing the Expansion Pass grants access to all four DLCs as soon as they become available.

View attachment 1268306

View attachment 1268307​

Stargazer Species Portrait (Instant Unlock)​

Dream of the stars with this exclusive portrait, available immediately upon purchasing Stellaris: Season 09. Featuring three variations and unique animations, the Stargazer Species Portrait is perfect for players who seek to embody the spirit of cosmic curiosity.

View attachment 1268308​

BioGenesis (Releases May 5, 2025 - $24.99)​

Take command of the forces of life itself in Stellaris: BioGenesis. Engineer living ships and wield advanced genetic tools to shape the destiny of your empire. Will you create a utopia of adaptation and growth or weaponize biology to dominate the stars?

• Overhauled Genetic Ascension: Choose from three distinct paths—Cloning, Purity, and Mutation—and customize your evolution.
• Living Ships: Command biological starships that evolve alongside your empire.
• Player Crisis Path: Unleash the unstoppable Behemoth Fury on the galaxy.
• Three New Origins: Play as evolutionary predators, a sapient planetary ecosystem, or a fortress civilization.
• New Megastructure: Construct the Deep Space Citadel to control hyperlane choke points.

View attachment 1268309

Shadows of the Shroud (Releases Q3 2025 - $19.99)​

The psionic plane holds untold power—but at what cost? Shadows of the Shroud is a complete overhaul of the Psionic Ascension path, introducing new moral dilemmas, Patron allegiances, and a whole new way of interacting with the mysteries of the Shroud.

• Breach into the Shroud: Shape your empire’s spiritual destiny with a revamped Shroud system.
• Shroud Panel: Track your empire’s attunement and unlock new powers.
• Revamped End of the Cycle: The ultimate deal with the devil—can you delay the inevitable?
• Psionic Auras: Let your Shroud influence shape entire star systems.
• New Content: Origins, civics, ships, government types, and more!

View attachment 1268310

Infernals Species Pack (Releases Q4 2025 - $12.99)​

Forge your destiny in the Stellaris: Infernals Species Pack - our most ambitious Species Pack ever. Adapted to relentless heat and volatile landscapes, you wield the power of extreme environments to reshape the galaxy. Will your empire thrive in the heat, or be consumed by the very forces it seeks to command?

• Player Crisis Path: Burn the galaxy to ashes as your empire thrives in destruction.
• New Origins: Unearth ancient kin or endure the scorching wrath of a dying sun in two new Origins.
• Volcanic Worlds: A new planetary class with unique districts, events, and archaeological sites.
• New Species & Customization: Ships, portraits, civics, and more!

The Stellaris: Season 09 Expansion Pass is now available for purchase for $44.99 or regional equivalent, a 20% discount over purchasing the contents individually.​

What’s Next?​

This Thursday we’ll flesh out the bio-ships!

See you then!

MEAT SHIPS! MEAT SHIPS! MEAT SHIPS!​

View attachment 1268311

BioGenesis is now available for pre-purchase for $24.99 or regional equivalent,
or with a 20% discount as part of the Stellaris: Season 09 Expansion Pass, which is available now for $44.99 or regional equivalent.​

Great. It seems You have started to fix bio ascension
Now I have two questions:
1. What about those Archives?
2. Will You adjust season prices on steam?

 

[Wagner Joy Division]

All the familiar faces

 

[Son of Poland]

Oh, so psionic ascension is not going to get the same huge treatment that Synthetic and Biological ascension get? As in, being the big feature of a big expansion, but only part of a smaller one in this season (Shadows of the Shroud)? Like Galactic Storms, or that Museum DLC? That is going to be disappointing a lot of people I think. I'd have rather seen the next big expansion be psionic themed. Like Machine Age, or now with Biogenesis.

There is not much description for psionic dlc yet because it's still many months out... but, it still seems to have advanced authorities, origins, civics, a new ship set, and "more". Too early to cast judgment.

> New Content: Origins, civics, ships, government types, and more!

 

[verybad]

Me want to make big meat capital ship and eat all those bad things outside brain. Me like separate aliens they tasty! Yummy end for separates, then they join us. May 5th is good day to party!

 

[DevWolf]

I'm so excited for all of this.

 

[Miuramir]

The way I see it, a Volcanic World is one where aggressively active volcanism dominates the climate, but ultimately just being on the surface isn't enough to kill most life forms and the average temperature across the entire planet is vaguely livable. On a molten world, just stepping outside will cook all but the hardiest lifeforms in a matter of moments.

Basically on a Volcanic World "stay away from the lava and you might be okay" on a Molten World "there's nowhere on the planet that's far enough away from lava to be okay".

It's kind of like the difference between an Arctic World and a Frozen World. One is merely cold, the other is so absurdly bone-chillingly cold that the atmosphere itself froze.

I think this is a *reasonable* explanation, but I want *more* ... Stellaris should not be limited by 'reasonable', with the wonders of golden-age sci fi and comics to draw on. So far, the main nine habitable planet types and classes have arguably all been fairly close to Earth normal and thus each other; you could make a fairly good case that 20% habitability for off-class is less than it should be even with modern technology.

And the inability to settle or terraform Frozen Worlds in particular is frustrating; it's not significantly more difficult than the tech needed for living in space, but you have all these volatiles and raw materials just lying about to be used, and free gravity. Far less energy than it takes to crack a world would suffice to melt it.

Classic science fiction has beings that live much further off the Earth-surface-norm than Stellaris. I recall one story that incidentally had a race that had evolved on Triton, where you see a scene that is described as if it were an Earth steel mill, with the inhabitants clad in multi-layer reflective suits and long tongs as they worked with the enormous and deadly heat required to smelt and cast *molten ice* (ie, water). Humans were literally lava men to them, walking blobs of mostly liquid rock that radiated a deadly heat. Similarly, "lava / magma men from the depths" is certainly a pulp trope (although they are much more likely to be from the mantle subduction zones than the core, logically speaking).

If we're getting an expansion titled Infernals, I want mantle races that can come up under the subterranean lithoids and complain about the squishy surface dwellers. I want families that can go for a pleasant outing on Mustafar to picnic by the lava falls and enjoy the refreshing spray. I want people that when a portal opens up downtown to literal flaming hell, go "ooh, free real estate" and start a land rush that ends up being a version of Gate played out at 1,200 degrees C. Kids that set up crude stands on the sidewalk to sell a cool, refreshing glass of lead to their neighbors on a summer's day.

And I want a Cryo expansion that does the same in the other direction. "Heliotic" races evolved to live in cryogenic superfluids at 2 degrees K. Cryo-lithoids who live around one of the other triple points of water at the Ice VII / Ice VIII / Ice X interface.

"Exotic life" in Stellaris should not just be "Hey, we met these funny-looking people that could hang out in only a few places on Earth without suits", it should be "Wow, there are life forms in the photosphere of the Sun" or "Whoops, our mapping laser started a religion amongst the people living on the surface of the neutron star".

All planets are habitable... it's just a matter of by whom.

 

[Helicopter200]

One of the dopest season ever psionic and genetic and cool new species with a new planet type paradox decided to cook something good

 

[TimeMask]

This season will have some of stuff I've been hoping for a lot, I'm just annoyed that something about the new art direction kinda freaks me out. I don't know enough art terms to put it out, but something about shading of things is uncanny to me? Maybe its just that it doesn't match old stellaris style and more time goes on more it diverges so it just feels off to me. I really hope its not something like "paradox has went beyond using ai for concept art pallette testing" and just my brain being like "it doesn't look like how I remember stellaris looking" x'D

(either way will be likely getting season pass since again everything here is super cool, only something extremely surprising would change that at this point xD)