You pick up Colonists from planet Terra in Sector 1 and place them on your planet, where they go to work producing the three main products that Ports want. The universe has a StarDock, where Traders buy their essential supplies and weapons. The StarDock has a Federation Shipyard, where the Trader can upgrade his ship or buy a new, more powerful one. There are seventeen ship types available for purchase. Some are restricted for purchase by game qualifications.
Spaceships are able to fight militarily by using fighters and photon torpedoes.
You protect you ship with shields. Planets can be developed for military value by building and upgrading Citadels. Traders are also competing militarily against the Ferrengi Empire. Ferrengi ships will be found throughout the universe, and one sector will contain planet Ferrenghal, their home base. In addition, one may encounter other hostile alien ships belonging to the Borg, Klingons, Romulans, Cardassians, or other alien species known to be hostile to humanity.