In this relaxed stream, Space Tomato shares his first impressions of Star Citizen Alpha 4.3, highlighting new features like the Onyx underground facilities while engaging with his community through cargo hauling missions despite technical glitches. He also discusses broader development concerns, the game’s future alongside Squadron 42, and maintains a positive, interactive atmosphere throughout.
In this relaxed and engaging stream, the host, known as Space Tomato, dives into his first impressions of Star Citizen’s Alpha 4.3 update, currently in the Evocati testing phase. He begins by addressing some technical difficulties he faced earlier, including a dramatic computer crash, but quickly shifts focus to discussing the new features and gameplay elements introduced in 4.3. The stream is also an interactive session where members of his gaming community, particularly those in the GI group, are invited to join in for some cargo hauling missions, providing a casual and communal vibe. Throughout, he maintains a light-hearted and humorous tone, engaging with chat and reacting to viewer comments and questions.
The core of the discussion revolves around the new Onyx facilities and underground locations introduced in the update. These areas are described as sizable, multi-winged complexes featuring investigation missions, loot boxes, and environmental hazards like radiation. The host notes that while these facilities are not as expansive or unique as initially hyped, they represent a solid addition to the game’s exploration content. He highlights features such as medical beds for respawning within the facilities, which could potentially change how death and respawning mechanics work in the game. Despite some bugs and gameplay frustrations, such as getting stuck or falling to death, the host appreciates the design and narrative elements that hint at deeper lore and mission variety.
A significant portion of the stream is dedicated to discussing the broader state of Star Citizen’s development and community expectations. The host expresses concerns about the game potentially being scaled back due to resource allocation towards Squadron 42, the single-player campaign. He emphasizes the importance of Star Citizen being in a polished and engaging state by the time Squadron 42 launches, as the latter will serve as a major marketing vehicle for the MMO. The conversation touches on the challenges of balancing development between the two projects, the need for a robust economy, base building, crafting, and a good new player experience to ensure long-term success and player retention.
Throughout the stream, there is also a focus on the current technical issues within the game, such as broken elevators at outposts, mission bugs, and server instancing problems. The host and chat members share their frustrations with these glitches, which impact gameplay flow and immersion. Despite these setbacks, the community remains enthusiastic, with giveaways and supportive interactions keeping morale high. The host also briefly compares Star Citizen to other space games like Elite Dangerous and discusses the potential future of the game’s content and player base growth.
The stream concludes with a warm and appreciative message to the community, thanking viewers for their support and participation. The host outlines upcoming content plans, including further coverage of Alpha 4.3, updates on the Starship Simulator, and other space game news. He encourages viewers to take care of themselves, enjoy their weekends, and stay connected with the community through future streams and content. Overall, the session balances informative gameplay insights with community engagement, humor, and thoughtful reflections on the evolving state of Star Citizen.