Aurora is a freeware 4X space game designed by Steve Walmsley and released in 2004. It is constantly being updated and the latest version is V6.10.

Originally just a simple program to augment pen and paper space battles and role-playing, it has since evolved to something more, with the game being playable with the addition of AI, and many other features.

Aurora allows the player to create a procedurally generated galaxy, consisting of detailed, accurately scaled star systems connected to each other via warp points. A player starts off as a space faring nation, discovering the secrets of Trans-Newtonian technology and uses it to expand and create an interstellar empire. Aurora is a sandbox game, with no goals, but nearly every setting can be edited in a designer mode for creating custom scenarios. The game is played in increments, where time is advanced from between 5 seconds to 30 days as chosen by the player. So it is a mix between real-time and turn based gameplay.

The game takes great attention to detail, with vast star systems many billions of kilometers wide across along with orbiting planets, moons, asteroids and secondary stars. The game also has a complex combat system, with minor stats such as radar resolution, missile tracking speed, turret rotation speed and custom, programmable missiles all playing vital roles in battle. The game also comes with a fully functioning private economy with private freighters and colony ships carrying goods and colonists between your planets.

This game is complex. [[ComplexityAddiction Very complex]]. Like, ''VideoGame/NetHack'' complex. Not quite ''VideoGame/DwarfFortress'' complex yet, but getting there. You are warned.

Here is the link to the fan-made [[ Wiki]] and [[,10.0.html Forums]].

The creator of this game is also currently working on a sequel, called Newtonian Aurora which is to faithfully follow Newtonian physics and laws of inertia.

!!This game contains examples of:

* TwoDSpace: The entire game is 2D, and is played through a 2D display map.
* FourX
* AbusivePrecursors: The Invaders are more involved than most.
* Main/AdventurerArchaeologist: If you want to research alien ruins and survive, you'd better carry a big sidearm on you!
** Because of this, xenologists and their staff actually tend to have a bigger Ground Combat Bonus than most military commanders...
* Main/ArchaeologicalArmsrace: Xenological excavations are a steady and relatively safe source of applied technology... But as mentioned above, [[Main/RobotWar remember to bring a competent military unit with you]].
* AsteroidMiners: Mining Moons, Asteroids and Comets is necessary for your empire to avoid a mineral crunch.
* ArbitraryMaximumRange - All weapons have maximum ranges, even missiles, which explode after running out of fuel. This even occurs for long range missile drones that don't carry warheads.
* BeamSpam - Beams are a staple weapon for space ships.
* BugWar - The Swarm
* ColonyDrop - One can remove all mass drivers (A device for capturing mineral payloads) from a planet via edit mode while a payload is incoming. HilarityEnsues.
* ComplexityAddiction - You have to be someone with this to play this game. Or go mad from the frustration.
* DeflectorShields - Shields can be designed and installed onto your ships.
* DesignItYourselfEquipment - Taken to a new extreme, with all traits for weapons, shields and sensors required to be researched independently, before said components are designed and researched again for use in ship design.
* EasyLogistics - Mixed. Ships need to have fuel, and maintenance supplies for repair as well as regular overhauls for military ships. In addition to the maintenance requirements, military ships also have player-set intended deployment times. Going over this limit, as well as other situations such as combat losses and overcrowding, reduce morale, which adversely affects combat performance.
* FasterThanLightTravel: Travel between star systems is done through warp points by vessels carrying jump engines or traveling through warp gates.
* GuideDangIt - The game has no tutorial except scant tool-tips with little information. The player is likely to be overwhelmed by the amount of information they receive.
* HostileTerraforming - Terraforming can add or remove any gas into a planet's atmosphere. HilarityEnsues as well.
* LensmanArmsRace - You can start off on a planet with another country or faction. AI aside, you probably would want to get off the planet as soon as you can.
* LostTechnology - Some planets come with ruins that can be identified and recovered by your nation. Unfortunately, much of that technology is CombatDrones built by the local {{Precursors}}. The thing that destroyed their creators was a war with another race, so they are under standing orders to eliminate unauthorized individuals. You aren't authorized. Do the math.
* MacrossMissileMassacre - Missiles can be designed to any size, from small decoy missiles to MIRV missiles. You can create mines consisting of multiple missiles that all activate when detecting an enemy, or [[RecursiveAmmo you could create missiles that carry MIRV missile mines]].
* MoreDakka - There's no limit to fleet size, with the only constraining factor being ship size and computer processing speed. Having thousands of different weapons and missiles fire simultaneously is not impossible.
* PointDefenseless - Thankfully averted. Missiles of all sizes can be destroyed but only by weapons that can track them. Lasers, guass cannons and interceptor missiles all work.
* RecursiveAmmo - All missiles can carry an optional payload as a second stage missile, and the payload itself can also carry further payloads.
* RunningBothSides - A main feature of the game is the ability to create multiple factions and also to change between them, giving all sides orders and directions as a form of role-playing. A notable example includes a game starting off with NATO, the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China, seen [[,112.0.html here]].
* ScifiWritersHaveNoSenseOfScale - Averted. Every system is proportioned to scale, and the system map can be magnified from a few thousand kilometres across to whole light years.
* SpaceClouds - Some systems consist of nebulas that restrict sensors, rendering long range missiles ineffective.
* SpaceIsAnOcean - The entire game is inspired by all kinds of Sci-Fi naval battles, which in turn is inspired from Earth-based naval battles.
* SpaceMines - Mines can be designed to contain multiple missiles, activating upon detecting a hostile contact.
* StandardSciFiFleet - There's no specific classes, instead having the player designate custom classes based on the type of ship they create, but you can create ships that fire lasers, railguns, all varieties of missiles, carry large sensors, carry fighters and much more.
* StealthinSpace - Sensor ranges in-game are surprising low, with normal sized sensors having only ranges of a few million for ships and even less for missiles.
* {{Terraform}} - Terraforming ships can change the composition of gases on any planet or moon, making it habitable for your species, or uninhabitable for your enemies.