Cloud Imperium Games’ ambitious space simulation project, Star Citizen, continues to navigate its way through a highly critical internet that can’t help but nitpick on its increasingly expensive development journey.
More than a decade and $600 or so million later, CIG recently unveiled its new update, Fully Loaded, marking the Alpha 3.20 stage of its evolution.
Among the myriad of features introduced, the most notable are the enhancements to the Arena Commander mode, newly incorporated PvP modes, expanded maps, racetracks, missions, and the addition of novel spacecrafts to the ever-growing fleet.
The Arena Commander mode, an integral part of the Star Citizen experience since its inception in 2014, has undergone a comprehensive revamp. This mode, essentially a game within the main title, facilitates players in diving directly into the heart of spacecraft battles, bypassing the preparatory phases. With the recent overhaul, its interface has been refined, consolidating its functionalities within a singular window. Furthermore, the spawn screens have been upgraded to facilitate players in viewing a 3D map, customizing their ship’s loadout, and initiating multi-crew spawns.
Within the realm of new additions, two ships stand out. The MISC Hull C, described as a “titan of the cargo hauling profession”, comes equipped with a vast storage capacity complemented by automated cargo loading systems. Still, it doesn’t compromise on defense, being armed to fend off pirate threats. In contrast, the Mirai Fury LX embodies speed and agility, leveraging transformative technology to navigate through tight spaces swiftly.
But Star Citizen isn’t merely about spacecrafts. The latest Star Citizen update brings new FPS maps, featuring a unique Single Weapon Elimination mode where players rely solely on pistols. Beyond these, there’s a new salvage mission, and an array of localization options further enriching the gameplay experience.
In the graphics domain, Star Citizen takes a significant leap by incorporating High Dynamic Range (HDR) support. With this, players can experience greater contrast ratios, with pronounced details and bright highlights, enhancing the overall visual experience of the game. This inclusion responds to the community’s anticipation, promising an increased depth and realism.
However, Star Citizen’s journey hasn’t been without turbulence. Since its inception in 2012, the game has garnered both admiration and skepticism in equal measure. Some have hailed it as a beacon of innovation, while others are critical of its prolonged development and the substantial costs associated with in-game assets, like the MISC Hull C’s hefty $500 price tag. The project’s crowdfunding tally, displayed prominently by Cloud Imperium Games, presently exceeds $604 million, sourced from over 4.8 million backers.
Despite its drawn-out development and the subsequent skepticism, the game’s annual revenue has consistently been on the rise. Reports suggest it’s averaging closer to $100 million per year recently. Yet, some backers express dismay over a seemingly unending wait, with anecdotes of once high-end computers built specifically to enjoy Star Citizen years ago now rendered obsolete even before the game’s full release.
Star Citizen’s journey can be likened to the construction of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona – a monumental project whose completion seems perpetually on the horizon. Regardless of the mixed sentiments, one fact remains undeniable: Star Citizen, whether revered as a pioneering venture or criticized for its protracted development, has carved a niche for itself in the annals of gaming history.
