The recent episode of Star Citizen Live, nearly three hours long, featured a detailed discussion with Bonoir and Jared reflecting on the technical progress and state of Star Citizen over the past year. They highlighted significant advancements such as the transition from a single server DGS to the implementation of static server meshing, which has notably improved server performance and scalability. With Alpha 4.0, servers now comfortably handle over 20 frames per second and test environments can support up to 800 players. Additional tools like per-territory statistics help optimize load distribution, while internal processes such as the hero scrap team, embedded QA testers, and the hygiene initiative have enhanced quality assurance and reduced bugs.
A major focus was on system overhauls aimed at improving reliability and player experience. Freight elevators and the transit system have been extensively reworked to fix longstanding bugs and now feature self-healing logic to automatically resolve issues like stuck doors or disconnected terminals. The transit system is evolving into a more resilient transport framework, promising smoother travel. Backend systems such as the density manager and cleanup system help maintain world performance by removing low-priority objects and abandoned vehicles, with flexibility to adjust cleanup aggressiveness per region. The spawn manager has also been refined to prevent overspawning, reducing server load and chaos during missions.
The discussion covered ongoing development of critical backend features like long-term persistence (LTP) and item entitlements. CIG is working on a full LTP revamp to ensure reliable saving of player-owned items across patches, addressing issues like the infamous “wolf bug” caused by gravity handling desynchronization. They clarified that some items, such as ammunition and rentals, will remain exceptions to persistence. Additionally, air traffic control and beacon technologies are being redesigned to improve gameplay flow and enable cross-server or cross-star system functionality, though these require significant development resources.
Jared also addressed community concerns about Squadron 42, emphasizing that the project remains on track for a 2026 release with no hidden delays, though development unpredictability means absolute guarantees cannot be made. The upcoming CitizenCon Direct event will focus solely on Star Citizen’s persistent universe, intentionally spotlighting its progress without covering Squadron 42. Jared reassured players that more information about Squadron 42 will be shared as the release approaches, and that the current quiet period reflects a focus on development rather than any setbacks.
Overall, 2025 is shaping up to be the “year of playability” for Star Citizen, building on the server meshing breakthroughs of 2024. The game is becoming more stable and performant, with new testing pipelines and system refactors reducing regressions and improving reliability. However, the team recognizes that technical improvements alone are not enough; meaningful content such as new ships, missions, and dynamic events must accompany stability to keep the game engaging. The year ahead promises a more playable and polished universe, but balancing technical progress with fresh gameplay experiences remains a critical challenge for CIG.
