Prologue, demo, or full game?
The confusion is real and it comes from the store itself. Pax Autocratica: Prologue is a separate, free, standalone product — a different Steam app from the paid game.
Last verified
Three things, clearly separated
| Prologue | Full game | |
|---|---|---|
| Steam app ID | 4107120 | 1067360 |
| Price | Free | $29.99 (now $24.89) |
| Released | Dec 1, 2025 | Aug 10, 2026 |
| Scope | Sector One | Full Tyris System campaign, expanding through Early Access |
| Languages | English (full audio), Simplified Chinese, French, German | English (full audio), Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, German |
| Saves | Its own save data | Its own save data — assume no carry-over |
| Still updated? | Received hotfixes during its run | Actively developed for ~2 years |
What the Prologue actually contains
Enough of the loop to judge the game honestly. You build a colony, assign citizens, run expeditions into Elysia, collect Core Fragments, take prisoners, and finish with a large-scale decisive battle. That last fight — the Elysia Frostfield engagement, which several players have reported crashing — is the closest thing the Prologue has to a boss test.
What it does not contain: the later sectors, the full research tree, or the ongoing Early Access additions.
Frequently asked
Is the Pax Autocratica Prologue free?
Yes. It is listed as Free To Play on Steam as its own app, released 1 December 2025.
Is the Prologue the same as a demo?
No. A Steam demo attaches to the paid game’s store page. The Prologue is a standalone app with its own store page, its own reviews and its own build.
Do Prologue saves carry into the full game?
They are separate applications with separate save data, so do not count on progress transferring. Nothing official has been published promising a carry-over.
How much of the game does the Prologue cover?
Sector One — the opening slice, including the colony basics, expeditions and the decisive battle that closes it out.
Should I play the Prologue first?
If you are unsure about the genre mash-up, yes. It costs nothing and it demonstrates the exact loop the full game expands.
Read next
- Beginner guide — Works for the Prologue too
- Elysia Frostfield decisive battle — How the Prologue ends
- Price of the full game — If the Prologue sells you on it