Vendetta Online takes place in the year 4432. Three factions — the Serco, Itani and Union of Independent Territories — control most of the known universe between them. Certain sectors along faction borders are still contested, however, giving a “Wild West” feel to those areas, since you could run into anyone and not have your faction’s defenses to help you.

The Serco are the most aggressive of the three, which fuels their ongoing war with the Itani. The two groups control the most territory and feature the richest governments, while the Territories are a loose-knit federation of corporations and individuals living under the rules of the Territorial Senate. While players in all three groups have access to approximately the same ships, Serco craft are heavier and slower but bristle with armor and weapons. Players in this group should have little interest in trading or exploration as they won’t pick up many such missions.

The Itani, however, were drawn into the war by their adversaries and tend to wish it would end soon so that they can return to more peaceful pursuits. They will defend themselves when attacked, however, and their ships tend to be lighter and less heavily armed, emphasizing piloting skill over brute force. Itani players can expect to engage in a mix of exploring, trading and fighting.

The Territories have remained neutral during the war, but their member organizations will profit from it whenever possible. Because this group includes many sub-factions, Territories players will need to figure out each one’s agenda or they may find themselves caught in the middle of a turf war. This faction features well-rounded ships as well as hideaways for the less desirables who have caused too much trouble with the Serco or the Itani, or even both of them.

The events that led to the present situation began in 2140, when DNA research eventually led to the creation of drones that looked like humans but operated under computer control. Sixteen years of warfare follow, decimating the Earth. The planet recovers after the war, but scientific advancement soon turns to travel to worlds beyond the colonies previously established on Mars. Wormholes are discovered, and scientists learn that travelers can use them to instantly arrive many light years away. Wormholes are part of space travel in Vendetta.

When the wormhole that shuttles travelers between Earth and a colony known as Sol II abruptly breaks down, however, the home planet is never heard from again and the colonists must make do on their own. The people soon break into two factions, the Serco, who hail science and technology, and the Itani, who have grown distrustful of both. Violence eventually breaks out, leading to the start of the ten-year Colony War in 2651. Even after the war ended, both populations were divided from each other, and sporadic violence continued to occur.

After another spate of violence, the Itani, who the Serco thought had been destroyed by a vicious assault, left the colony world on the Itani Ark, searching for a new place to call home. Many years later, they found such a planet and colonized it. Meanwhile, the Serco went through their own turmoil, which resulted in a military coup and a new government. They established uneasy relations with a neutral population on the colony world, but eventually those people left after dealing with continuous hostility from neighbors who considered themselves superior. These people became the Union of Independent Territories (UIT).

The Itani flourished on their new world and soon colonized others, but it was only a matter of time before their curiosity prompted them to see what had happened to their old adversaries. When an Itani scout fleet was captured by the Serco, however, the conflict renewed. The Serco had established a presence on other planets too, and eventually the two empires rubbed against each other, sparking new battles that continue until the present day. The UIT finds itself shoulder-to-shoulder with both groups, trying to remain neutral but struggling with the fact that the independent organizations under its umbrella often cut their own deals with the Serco and Itani, sometimes at the risk of making them a target.

Engage! Warp between sectors as you complete your tasks.

Never Tell Me the Odds. Luckily, these asteroids aren’t as dangerous as they may appear — they help shield that space station.

Looking For the Bright Center of the Universe. Travel to distant worlds and seek out new adventures.

Moving in For a Closer Look. Another player rockets past as you make your way clear of the asteroids before warping out of the sector.