What Is a 4X Game?
4X games are a subgenre of strategy games, both digital and board games, built around four core pillars: explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate.
The term was coined in 1993 to describe Master of Orion, and it has since become the standard label for empire-building strategy experiences.
These games typically offer deep simulations of research, economics, diplomacy, and development.
Unlike traditional wargames, 4X titles have multiple paths leading to victory beyond pure combat, allowing players to shape an empire from its earliest stages and guide its evolution.