The video provides a detailed review of Star Citizen’s 4.2 PTU update, highlighting improvements in weather effects like larger cloud formations and rain on Pyro 4, though noting that rain still lacks physical realism and immersive details. The creator observes minimal changes in rain volume and cloud effects on other planets like Arcorp and Herson, emphasizing ongoing development and future potential for more authentic weather dynamics.
In this video, the creator provides a detailed look at the 4.2 PTU update for Star Citizen, focusing on improvements and changes related to weather effects, particularly rain and cloud formations on Pyro 4. The update addresses previous bugs where clouds and storms were missing from the persistent universe, and the creator tests these fixes by visiting various locations like Herson, Arcorp, and Pyro 4 to observe the new cloud and rain dynamics. They note that the patch claims to have added larger cloud formations and adjusted rain volume density, aiming for a more immersive weather experience.
The creator begins their exploration on Pyro 4, where they observe the reintroduction of clouds after the fix. They seek thicker cloud formations suitable for rain and eventually find a dark, stormy cloud that produces rain, creating a stunning visual. They highlight the beauty of the environment and the dynamic nature of the clouds and rain, emphasizing the immersive experience. The rain is visually impressive, but they note that the sound of raindrops hitting the ship’s windows is absent, and the rain appears to be more of an animation layer rather than a physically simulated effect.
As the storm passes, the creator captures the transition from rain to clear skies, noting the movement of the storm cloud and the storm’s changing position. They observe that the rain effects on the ocean surface are minimal, with raindrops visible in the water but not actively hitting the surface, suggesting that the rain system still needs more physicalization for realism. They also comment on the visual aspects, praising the overall aesthetic but pointing out that the rain effects could be improved to feel more authentic and tactile.
The creator then moves to test the updates on other planets, such as Arcorp and Herson, to evaluate the adjustments to rain volume density. They find a thick cloud over area 18 on Arcorp and experience rain, but do not notice a significant difference after the update. Similarly, on Herson, they observe thick clouds but feel that the rain volume and cloud effects remain largely unchanged, indicating that the recent adjustments may not have had a substantial impact on the weather dynamics in these locations.
In conclusion, the video showcases the ongoing development and refinement of weather effects in Star Citizen’s 4.2 PTU. The creator appreciates the visual improvements and the addition of larger cloud formations on Pyro 4 but notes that the rain effects still lack physical realism and detail, such as raindrops hitting surfaces convincingly. They express optimism about future updates and improvements, emphasizing that while the weather system is progressing, it still has room to become more immersive and physically accurate. The video ends with a call to stay tuned for more PTU testing and updates.