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Launcher & account

Install, create your pilot, log in, updates, pilot name, password, invites, mods and Linux.

Install#

Download AncientOrbitLauncher.exe from the home page and put it into its own folder, e.g. Ancient Orbit on your desktop – the game is downloaded next to it (about 2 GB).
Start it with a double click. Windows may say “Windows protected your PC” because the launcher is not code-signed: click More info → Run anyway.
The launcher downloads the game once and keeps the game and itself up to date.

System requirements: Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit), 4 GB RAM, OpenGL 3.3 graphics, about 2 GB disk space. On Linux the game runs through Wine – see the Linux guide (beta).

Create your pilot#

Tab CREATE PILOT:

Pilot name – 3 to 20 characters: letters, numbers, - _ .. This is also your login.
Password – 6 to 20 characters with at least one number.
E-mail (optional) – the only way an admin can confirm it's you if you forget your password.
Invite code (optional) – a friend's code AO-XXXXXX; you both get rewards (see Invite friends).
Company – MMO, EIC or VRU. Your company decides your home maps.

You start in your own copy of the start sector 0-1 with a Phoenix and the tutorial.

Log in#

Your pilot name (login) and password. Remember me keeps you logged in on this computer (saved encrypted for your Windows user).
5 wrong passwords in a row lock the login for a few minutes.
Forgot password? Ask an admin on Discord with your login and the e-mail you registered with. If both match you get a temporary password – then pick your own under Password. Without an e-mail on your pilot it can't be reset.

The pilot card#

After login you see your company, name, rank, level, experience, credits, uridium, honor, your ship, your sector, your clan and your Premium time. Below are the links Name, Password, Invite, Mods and Log out. The WIKI button at the top opens this wiki.

Play and updates#

PLAY starts the game. The game can only be started from the launcher. When you close the game the launcher comes back.
The launcher checks for updates at every start and while it runs. Only changed files are downloaded.
When an update goes live while you play, the game shows a countdown, logs you out and the launcher installs the new version – then just press PLAY again.
If you start an old copy of the launcher (for example AncientOrbitLauncher (1).exe), it asks you to start the one in your Ancient Orbit folder.

Change your pilot name#

Name on the pilot card. The name other pilots see changes – your login stays the same.

3 to 20 characters: letters (also ä, é, Greek, Cyrillic …), numbers and old-school symbols like ★ ♥ ♠ » « -=[ ]=- (there is a symbol bar to click them in).
No spaces; not allowed: | % @ # < > & " ' and backslash; at least 2 letters or numbers.
Names that look like another pilot's name or like staff names are refused.
Once every 7 days. The preview shows how your name plate looks to you, your company and enemies. The new name is used at once, even in a running game.

Change your password#

Password on the pilot card: current password, new password (6 – 20 characters with a number), repeat. “Remember me” is updated automatically.

Invite friends#

Invite on the pilot card shows your code AO-XXXXXX with a copy button and the list of your recruits. A friend enters your code when creating a pilot – then you both get rewards when they reach these levels:

Recruit level	You get	Your recruit gets
5	1,500 U, 2,000 UCB-100, 40 extra energy	500 U, 1,000 UCB-100, 20 extra energy
10	3,000 U, 3,000 UCB-100, 1,000 MCB-50, 80 extra energy	1,000 U, 1,500 UCB-100, 500 MCB-50, 40 extra energy
13	4,000 U, 2,000 MCB-50, 120 extra energy	1,500 U, 1,000 MCB-50, 60 extra energy
16	6,000 U, 3,000 MCB-50, 200 extra energy, 3 days Premium	2,000 U, 2,000 MCB-50, 100 extra energy

“Extra energy” is Galaxy Gate energy.
Rewards are paid automatically, also while you are offline.
No rewards if both pilots play on the same computer, and none while one of them is banned.
You are paid for up to 20 recruits; your recruits always get theirs.

Premium#

GET PREMIUM (or EXTEND) on the pilot card – see Premium for the packages and everything you get.

Mods#

Mods on the pilot card changes the look of the game. Right now: Lasers – Classic (straight beams, default) or Modern (tapered beams with glow). It is used the next time you press PLAY.

Generated from the live game data on 15 November 2026. Something wrong or missing? Tell us on Discord or use the in-game bug report.