In a recent update, Ryan (aka Mac) recaps interviews with Chris Roberts from the Atmo esports event in Sydney, sharing insights about Star Citizen’s current status and upcoming features. Roberts discussed the long development journey and highlighted crafting as a major upcoming gameplay loop, expected to see its first release in March. Rather than incremental updates throughout the year, a more comprehensive crafting patch will follow 4.7, enabling players to create equipment for personal use, trade, or sale, potentially turning crafting into a profession within the game. Base building was also mentioned as a future feature, though no specific timeline was given, suggesting it might arrive later this year or possibly next.
Dynamic server meshing is set to revolutionize player concurrency in Star Citizen’s persistent universe. Currently, the game supports around 700-800 players per shard, but with dynamic meshing, Chris Roberts aims to exceed 10,000 players in a single instance eventually. Initial implementation this year might push the player count beyond 1,000, possibly even 2,000, though significant optimization will be required. Roberts envisions continuous testing and balancing to find the sweet spot between performance and player numbers, with hopes of breaking new ground in large-scale multiplayer experiences.
Roberts also expressed interest in adding live “city cam” style feeds on the RSI website, allowing players to observe in-game locations in real-time. This could potentially extend to security camera views of personal bases or ships, enhancing immersion and player engagement. He emphasized that Star Citizen’s persistent universe is designed to be an ever-evolving experience, with continuous updates and content additions planned well beyond the official 1.0 launch, ensuring the game remains fresh and expansive for years to come.
Regarding Squadron 42, Roberts confirmed that the game is in its final stages of development and remains on track for release this year. Unlike the persistent universe, Squadron 42 will be a fully handcrafted, cinematic experience with high-fidelity visuals, epic action sequences, and a strong narrative inspired by classic sci-fi movies. No specific release date was provided, but Roberts reaffirmed that the project has not been delayed and continues to receive focused attention.
Finally, VR support is a key priority for both Squadron 42 and Star Citizen’s persistent universe. Squadron 42 already features ray tracing and will fully support VR with controller compatibility at launch. The development team is committed to delivering a top-tier VR experience, including exploring advanced peripherals like treadmills and haptic feedback devices. However, improvements to the user interface are necessary to ensure comfort and usability in VR. Once Squadron 42 launches with full VR support, similar features will be integrated into the persistent universe as a standard feature rather than an experimental mode.
