In the latest episode of Star Citizen Live, the developers provided updates on various ships and gameplay features. A major highlight was the confirmation that the 600i Origin rework is still planned but won’t arrive within the next 12 to 18 months. Since the 600i is already functional, the team is focusing on new ships first. There is also a tease of a potential new Origin ship coming in 2026, though details remain sparse. Engineering and ship readiness have progressed significantly, with all ships now ready for engineering, including physicalized components for many vessels, and fallback systems for smaller ships.
Starter ships like the Aurora are receiving much-needed “gold standard” updates, including better components, weapons, and modernized setups to improve gameplay and player experience. The Apollo medical ship is set for release in September with fully modular variants and free modules for owners. The common module technology, which will allow ships like the Caterpillar and Ironclad to control multiple smaller ships, is scheduled to be completed by December, but the Ironclad itself may not release this year due to complexity. Bespoke weapons continue to be a point of discussion, with a few ships planned to feature unique weaponry to maintain game balance.
Cargo capacity improvements are underway, including a major increase for the Reliant and plans to rework the Carac’s cargo pods. The Retaliator bomber will see new modules like dropship and living quarters, with potential for medical bays. The PTV ground vehicle and G12 ship reworks have been delayed, with the G12 removed from the 2026 schedule. Although the backlog of ships awaiting gameplay has shrunk, large ships like the Endeavor and Banu Merchantman remain on hold, with no significant progress expected for at least 18 months.
A significant shift in ship sales was announced, moving away from concept sales toward releasing ships straight to flyable status. The battlecruiser remains an exception as an early concept and a long-standing stretch goal, potentially larger and distinct from the Javelin. Gameplay mechanics updates include shield balancing, armor damage thresholds to prevent exploits, and the return of medical beacons in September alongside expanded medical gameplay. Bed logging will be removed, allowing players to log out anywhere, and capital ships like the Idris and Polaris will enable in-hangar rearm, repair, and refuel.
Finally, the developers discussed drones, salvage ships, animations, and paints. Drones are tied to base building rather than specific ships, and there is interest in adding a medium salvage ship. Long animations will be shortened, and paint customization remains limited due to performance concerns. The “Year of RSI” is ending, with more Kruger ships expected in the future. Small ships can have large weapons if balanced properly, and the Wolf will receive its gold standard animations by year-end. Overall, the episode highlighted exciting progress and upcoming features, despite some delays for fan-favorite ships.
