Faction Spotlight: Genari United Empire

Formerly known as the Genari Star Empire, the GUE was a conglomerate of warring factions fighting for resources in strategic regions of space. For them, war was a part of life, and a way to achieve honor through combat. When they finally encountered a race that was potentially threatening their way of life, the four strongest empires formed an uneasy truce, to fight their new, more dangerous enemy: The Sol Imperium. Power is centered on the four Matriarchs, a tetrarchy where the female Genari has absolute control over administration and decision making. Only males serve in the military however, and are subservient to the will of their female leaders. Most male Genari will never mate or ever encounter a female, as it is seen as a privilege for only the senior members of the Genari ranks. The Empire’s technology is starting to fall behind Sol; but they have greater resources and production to offset the Human advantage.

 

The Genari are going to be weaker in forcefield tech, lack plasma weaponry (Sol has them -- more accurate) and lack ion engines (Sol has them -- more power). However, their ships tend to offset their lower power output and weaker forcefields with greater maneuverability and increased armor (increases hull points).
Also most Genari ships have marine pods -- which the Sol don't use except on their marine ships. They attach to the target, cut through the hull, and the marines board and fight the ship's crew. It can cause a tremendous amount of casualties if successful, reducing an enemy ships' operating efficiency. If the crew is completely eliminated, the ship can be captured as well, for 2x XP.
Also the Genari are more resilient, tend to have less crew casualties.
And some would say, the Genari ships look cooler haha

 

A lot of detail is being put to the planets as well, this is the Genari Homeworld map. The continents also have importance to the lore (novel).

 

Sure, here is are several Genari captain's headshots in the game (you can customize your own when you start a captain).

 

Here's another headshot with various mods

 

No, based on game lore, Genari females do not participate in combat, but basically have a role behind the scenes. Its a matriarchal society.

 

For the beta, the ship goes into automatic -- moving towards the jump point and leaving the area -- giving you double XP than what you'd get if you had destroyed the ship.
For the final game, the ship would be under your control, though only powered for movement at 10% power (unless you have the special comandeer marine skill)