Star Citizen’s failed hover mode feature, which lacked player choice and had numerous glitches, is being revamped with a new vtol system that incorporates a heat system to simulate realistic flight scenarios. The new system will offer a more immersive and realistic flight experience, with penalties for prolonged stress on thrusters and advantages for specialized gameplay, but its release is expected in late 2023.
Star Citizen, a game focused on choice, has faced both successes and failures in implementing features that enhance gameplay. One notable failure was the introduction of hover mode in version 3.6. Hover mode was a specific flight mode that kicked in when a ship’s speed dropped below a certain threshold. Unlike other flight mode changes, hover mode lacked player choice and did not offer additional risk and reward. It also presented artificial limitations to flight, such as directing all thrusters towards the ground in one vector, preventing players from using intelligent flight communication systems and making choices based on their style of gameplay.
Hover mode was plagued with glitches that affected every player in the game and resulted in frustrating experiences. Compounding the problem was the lack of a landing map and a challenging method of landing, making it hard for players to navigate and leading to lost cargo and deaths. The feature release was seen as a botched implementation, and the developers acknowledged the need for a better alternative.
To address these issues, Star Citizen is now working on a new vtol (vertical take-off and landing) system that incorporates a heat system. The heat system will restrict thrusters based on the amount of heat generated, simulating the inability to vent heat in certain flight scenarios. This system emphasizes control surfaces and aerodynamics, providing a more immersive flight experience. It will also give players visual and audible feedback, warning them of rising temperatures and the consequences of continued stress on the thrusters.
The new vtol system will allow ships to hover briefly but will impose penalties for extended periods of stress on the thrusters, such as component degradation and potential loss of control. It will provide a more realistic and immersive flight experience, especially for atmospheric flight. Additionally, the system will offer advantages for ships with vital thrusters and open up new possibilities for specialized gameplay, such as precise landings and maneuvering. However, implementing this system is still a work in progress and is expected to be released no earlier than late 2023.