A recent bug in Stellaris, the popular sci-fi strategy game, has excited players by enabling them to capture enemy ships—a feature that wasn’t originally intended and had been missing from the game since its launch.
This bug, discovered by the Chinese Stellaris community on Tieba and shared by Reddit user TCF518, allows players to capture any type of ship when using the Boarding Cables component, which can be unlocked by choosing the Treasure Hunters origin. Players have been sharing their success with various ship captures on Reddit, sparking widespread interest and excitement within the community.
The Stellaris game director, Stephen Muray, has embraced the bug and has no immediate plans to fix it. In a Reddit reply, Muray acknowledged the humor of the situation, even referring to it as “the funniest bug of the cycle,” and praised the Chinese community for finding it. He humorously noted that he intends to delay fixing the bug until version 3.14.1592 to give players ample time to capture as many ships as possible, even joking about the possibility of someone trying to capture an incoming asteroid.
The Stellaris community has reacted enthusiastically to Muray’s decision, with comments on Reddit expressing both amusement and appreciation for his lighthearted approach. Popular responses include phrases like “Love this lmao” and “Based as [expletive],” with many players viewing Muray’s stance as a refreshing, player-centered attitude.
One user even praised him for prioritizing fun over strict adherence to the game’s original mechanics. This bug and Muray’s response have become a focal point for the community, creating a moment of unity and excitement among players.
Some fans have even suggested new game features inspired by the bug. For instance, one Redditor proposed that the game should allow captured ships to be reverse-engineered and replicated, including components that aren’t normally researchable in the game.
Others have requested that when the bug is eventually fixed, Muray leave an option for modders to reinstate it, preserving the ship-capturing experience for those who enjoy it. The community’s creativity in building on the bug’s potential shows a deep enthusiasm for adding more flexibility and innovation to the game.
Although Stellaris typically receives several updates each month, it’s uncertain how long the bug will remain active. Players eager to experiment with capturing ships are encouraged to do so before it’s eventually patched. Whether or not Muray decides to incorporate community requests for a permanent feature or mod option, this bug has brought a memorable and entertaining experience to the game, highlighting the value of player-driven fun and engagement in gaming.
