OGame Beginner's Guide 2026

What is OGame?

OGame is one of the oldest and most successful browser strategy games in the world. Since 2002, millions of players have fought for resources, planets and galactic supremacy — all directly in the browser, no download, no installation. The game concept is simple: build an economy, research technologies, construct a fleet and assert yourself against other empires.

What's special about OGame is its depth. Behind the simple interface lies a sophisticated strategy system with dozens of buildings, over 20 ship types and a complex combat system. Anyone who delves into OGame will find there one of the most active strategy communities on the German internet.

First Steps: What to Build?

After registration, you start on an empty planet. Your first priority is the three resource buildings:

• Metal Mine — produces metal, the most common resource for buildings and ships
• Crystal Mine — produces crystal, essential for research and advanced ships
• Deuterium Synthesizer — produces deuterium, the fuel for all fleet missions

Build these mines alternately. Next comes the Solar Plant — without energy your mines produce nothing. As a rule of thumb: energy should always be sufficient to keep all mines running at full capacity.

Building Priority for Beginners

1. Metal Mine to level 4–6
2. Crystal Mine to level 3–5
3. Solar Plant to keep up (keep energy positive)
4. Deuterium Synthesizer to level 3–4
5. Robotics Factory to level 2 (faster build times)
6. Research Lab to level 1–2
7. Shipyard to level 1

First Research and Ships

In the Research Lab, you start with Computer Technology (more fleet slots) and Espionage Technology. As soon as you can build Espionage Probes, regularly spy on neighbouring planets. As a beginner, you'll find little — but you learn the system.

Your first ship should be a Small Cargo. It builds quickly and is versatile: moving resources, simple expeditions, and indispensable as a fleetsave vehicle.

Fleetsave — the Most Important Mechanic

Fleetsave is the heart of OGame and the crucial difference from other games. Whenever you go offline, your resources and your fleet are potentially at risk. Players on other planets can attack you. The solution: send your fleet on a mission with a long return time — an expedition, a transport to one of your own planets, or an attack on an inactive player's planet.

While the fleet is travelling, it cannot be attacked. You determine the length of the mission yourself — a good fleetsave bridges your sleep time plus a buffer. Those who consistently use fleetsave never lose their fleet through offline attacks.

• Short fleetsave (4–8 hours): For brief breaks or evening time
• Long fleetsave (8–12 hours): Overnight, so you recall the fleet in the morning
• Danger situation: If you see an enemy fleet approaching, immediately send everything on mission

Noob Protection and Bash Rules

As a new player, you're protected by noob protection. Stronger players cannot attack you as long as a certain point ratio is not exceeded. This gives you time to build up without having to fear immediate destruction.

The bash rules protect all players: a maximum of 6 attacks per 24 hours may a player launch against the same opponent. This prevents targeted attrition attacks. Use this time to establish yourself, join an alliance and consolidate the basics.

Joining an Alliance

One of the most important decisions in OGame is choosing an alliance. A good alliance offers protection, tips from experienced players and coordinated action in attacks or defence. Look for an alliance in your galaxy early — most have their own Discord servers and welcome active newcomers.