Star Citizen Anniversary Livestream Showcases Star Marine, Capital Ships

Information technology's been a while since we've reported on Star Citizen but as is usual, the ceremony livestream which Cloud Imperium Games do to commemorate the launch of the kickstarter campaign took identify last night and also equally is usual, CIG didn't disappoint.

Ask people what Star Denizen is nigh and you'll become incredibly varied responses. Some say it's most visceral space dogfighting, others will say it's about exploration, in fact it'south quite possible that you could enquire ten different people and get x different responses, the affair is though, they'd by and large be right. Just whether y'all want to brand your way in the universe via piracy, bounty hunting or completely non-violent means, about volition agree on the definition that CIG seemed to settle on a while dorsum.

Star Citizen is a First Person Universe. So generally most gameplay styles which have some degree of thespian interest are probable to make information technology into the game sooner or later. Although the game is in blastoff and only has a pocket-sized slice of 1 arrangement playable at the moment (aside from the arena modes), at that place is persistence and an ability to play the game as a "good guy" or "bad guy" to some degree and earn credits. The game notwithstanding has a long way to go though and so if yous're looking for a polished experience, Star Citizen isn't for yous withal.

Now to the juicy details.

Star Citizen 2.vi

The next major (0.10 release) build of Star Citizen will be 2.6 and is currently expected to launch this year. As is usual with a major release, there is a mix of new functionality and new ships included in the build.

Coming in 2.half-dozen nosotros can wait the post-obit:

Drake Herald (info runner, new ship)

Origin 85X (small runabout, new ship)

Drake Caterpillar (pirate transport, new send)

Star Marine! The much anticipated FPS arena gainsay manner of Star Denizen. Alike to Arena Commander but on foot/EVA. We've had some rudimentary FPS capabilities in game up until this betoken merely this has all taken place in the persistent universe and potentially carries consequences with it (ammo costs coin, dying means potentially losing a ship at a space station etc). Star Marine allows you to bound right into FPS action without having to worry about such details. Additional animations and functionalities for FPS besides come with 2.6 besides simply the arena modes of the game. Below is a video released showing the Star Marine play from the livestream with the first non-staff community members to get their hands on it!

Arena Commander also has been updated to include ammo packs for those who run out of ammo in game if using ballistic weapons.

The overall game has had a ship balance pass with ship speed being the main focus of this release. Most ships have apparently had speeds reduced somewhat, we'll accept to run across how this shakes out in game upon release of ii.half dozen.

Also coming in 2.half-dozen look to be some new variants of existing ships which appear to have the first elements of a ship pare system in identify. The livestream showcased some of this and it's something which backers accept been clamouring about for a long fourth dimension.

Check out this preview video of the ships which are coming in 2.6

Majuscule Ships

Ships are one of the primary things people are near interested in when information technology comes to Star Denizen. Although we are well by the "ship equally an avatar" space sim here given the start person nature of the universe, this is still get-go and foremost a space game. Every bit such, everyone will demand some kind of ship.

Capital letter ships notwithstanding are special things. These huge beasts start at 155 metres long for the smallest (The RSI Polaris Corvette) and go up to 1km long for the Bengal Carrier, potentially even larger for the UEES Retribution. Remember, these aren't simply notional items, these are fully built out environments which y'all will exist able to serve on and walk effectually.

The original capital ship was the Idris corvette which is the main ship you will initially serve on during Squadron 42 (the single actor entrada in the style of a modern twenty-four hour period wing commander), even so throughout the design process, the corvette was discovered to exist as well small to handle the requirements of the storyline so information technology grew and grew until information technology became a frigate. As such, the Idris has been in development for quite a while and we now acquire that it is virtually complete with only one room remaining to exist finished (the missile room apparently). This is an almost 240 metre long send which we've seen some snippets of only in the latest teaser we run across a lot more.

Additionally, nosotros also see a lot more of the Javelin destroyer and the Bengal carrier, both larger than the Idris. These ships wait to be coming along nicely and I for one can't look to board one in Squadron 42 when it comes out! Check them out below.

New Concept Ship

The long awaited Esperia Prowler concept send was as well unveiled during the livestream. This is effectively a troop dropship/boarding ship which is the first one nosotros have seen to have originally been a Tevarin transport. The Tevarin are the games 4th non-human species (the others beingness the Vanduul, 11'An and Banu) and the only ones who are effectively function of the United Empire of World. As a reminder, concept ships are subject to alter significantly before final implementation in the game.

Check out the behind the scenes of the concept art for the new Esperia Prowler:

Wrapping Up

Every bit usual, at that place is some degree of controversy with Star Denizen. The projection is now well past its originally scheduled release date. Of course that has to be tempered against the fact that scope grew massively in the first couple of years (the projection went live cease of 2022 so really got up and running in 2022 every bit they built out the studios in the first ii years) and the community demanded a continuation of stretch goals until CIG stopped offer more than stretch goals at the end of 2022.

What it ways is that the scope now is huge. AAA games take years to develop, fifty-fifty for existing studios. Virtually of the customs seems content to await for the finished game and I for i applaud that mentality. If y'all want a finished game, go buy one from your DRM platform of option. If yous want to be office of a development process, warts and all, become onboard with Star Citizen. A lot of the base of operations gameplay mechanics are in place and can be experienced for yourself. Remember, all ships volition ultimately be obtainable in game, all that's needed to play is a base game bundle with a starter ship.

Considering that the game continues to rake in ever more than funds from people sharing the dream, a bet against them seems a long shot. CIG continue to release new versions (despite having a track record of being tardily) and it'southward clear to most by now that the game is getting made. To date, CIG have amassed about $132m from over 1.6m backers. The dream still seems potent.

Interested in space sims? Check out https://robertsspaceindustries.com/ for more detail. Additionally, if yous're in the UK or Europe, you lot may want to check out the BritizenCon fan issue which CIG attended last yr and currently has tickets on auction here.