Starship Troopers: Extermination just received its November 2025 development update from Offworld Industries, and it’s introducing some seriously cool new defensive mechanics to the 16-player co-op shooter. Players will now defend Fleet Relays on the battlefield to call in devastating TAC Fighter bombing runs against massive Bug swarms. This new gameplay layer adds strategic depth to the horde-shooting experience while maintaining the franchise’s commitment to overwhelming enemy forces and ridiculously satisfying combat.
Fleet Relays and TAC Fighter Support
The new mechanic forces troopers to defend Fleet Relay stations scattered across maps. These relays are vulnerable structures that need protection from incoming Bug waves. While defending a relay, players can call in TAC Fighter support from orbital aircraft. These fighters rain fire on Bug positions, creating spectacular aerial bombardment sequences that clear large swaths of the map.
This adds objective variety beyond “kill everything.” Instead of just blasting Bugs forever, troopers must manage resource allocation. Do you commit people to defending the relay while others push forward? Do you abandon the relay and focus on combat objectives? Do you save TAC Fighter strikes for emergencies or use them proactively? These decisions create tactical depth in what could have been a straightforward horde shooter.
Updated Roadmap and December Finale
Offworld stated that the December update will be the last major content patch of the year. Details remain sparse, but the developers are clearly planning something significant for the holiday release. The November update positioned December as a capstone, suggesting the final year-end patch might address longstanding community requests or introduce features players have been anticipating since launch.
What’s notable is that Offworld is being transparent about their roadmap. Rather than promising vague future updates, they’re explicitly saying December is the last major content of 2025. This sets clear expectations and lets players know what to expect going forward.
The Game’s Journey From Early Access to Live Service
Starship Troopers: Extermination launched in early access on Steam in May 2023, then officially released on October 11, 2024 across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The game is a faithful adaptation of the Starship Troopers film universe, featuring the iconic Morita Assault Rifle and the bug-slaying gameplay fans expect from the franchise.
The journey from early access to full release has been rocky. Console performance reviews noted the game “runs badly on all three consoles,” though optimization has improved since launch. The game received mixed critical reception, but the dedicated community keeps playing because the core gameplay loop of defending positions against endless Bug waves is genuinely compelling.
Content Since Launch
Since full release, Offworld has been steadily delivering updates. Update 1.4 added day/night cycles and dynamic weather systems that change how you approach engagements. Update 1.5 expanded Hive Hunt to 16 players and rebalanced horde mode. Update 1.6 added new weapons and game modes. The consistent content releases show the developers are committed to supporting the game long-term rather than abandoning it post-launch.
Each update adds meaningful features rather than cosmetic padding. New weapons aren’t just damage number increases. They have unique playstyles and attachment options. Game mode changes create new strategic considerations. This level of iterative design is what separates live-service games that thrive from ones that quietly die.
Casper Van Dien’s Voice Acting
One of the most exciting aspects of Starship Troopers: Extermination is that Casper Van Dien, who played Johnny Rico in the original films, provides voice-over work for the game’s single-player component. This addition grounds the game in the film franchise authentically rather than using generic voice actors or AI-generated dialogue.
The inclusion of Van Dien signals that the game is intended to be a genuine part of the Starship Troopers canon rather than a quick cash-grab licensed game. Developers clearly invested in quality voice acting and franchise authenticity.
Cross-Platform Play and Community
Starship Troopers: Extermination features full cross-play between PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. This means friends can squad up regardless of platform and fight together. In a 16-player cooperative game, cross-platform play is essential for maintaining a healthy player base and preventing fragmenting the community.
The game requires PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live for console players, though weirdly it also locks the single-player missions mode behind these paywalls. This restriction frustrated many players since the solo campaign shouldn’t require online subscription, but it’s part of Sony and Microsoft’s standard practices for their ecosystems.
What Players Want Next
The community has been requesting several features. Expanded content variety beyond the current bug types and environment themes. More exotic weapons and equipment options. Better cosmetic customization. Expanded single-player missions beyond the current offerings. Whether December’s update addresses these wishes remains to be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Starship Troopers: Extermination?
A 16-player cooperative first-person shooter set in the Starship Troopers film universe. Players fight waves of bugs using iconic weapons and defensive tactics on hostile alien planets.
When was the November 2025 update released?
November 4, 2025. The update introduced Fleet Relays, TAC Fighter support, and tactical defensive mechanics.
What are Fleet Relays?
Defensive structures scattered across maps that players must defend. While defending, troopers can call in TAC Fighter orbital support for devastating bombing runs.
When is the next update coming?
December 2025. Offworld stated this will be the final major content update of the year, but details haven’t been announced.
Is Starship Troopers: Extermination free-to-play?
No, it’s a $39.99 premium purchase on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. A Collector’s Edition is available with physical merchandise.
Can I play solo?
Yes, there’s a single-player missions mode with Casper Van Dien providing voice-over work. However, console players must have PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live to access it.
How many players maximum?
16 players in cooperative multiplayer. All platforms support cross-play.
Is the game still in development?
Yes, it launched from early access in October 2024 and is receiving regular updates. The game is in active post-launch support mode.
What platforms is it available on?
PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Not available on PS4, Xbox One, or Nintendo platforms.
Conclusion
Starship Troopers: Extermination’s November 2025 update shows Offworld Industries is committed to evolving the core gameplay loop. Adding Fleet Relays and TAC Fighter mechanics transforms the experience from pure horde-slaying into tactical squad coordination with meaningful objectives. The promise of a significant December update suggests the developers have more in store for the community. While the game received mixed reviews at launch due to console performance issues and mixed critical reception, the ongoing updates and engaged player community suggest Starship Troopers: Extermination is becoming the kind of live-service game that actually respects players’ time and investment. For fans of the franchise or co-op horde shooters, the game is worth watching as it continues to evolve through 2025 and beyond.