"We’re back, and picking up where CitizenCon 2949 left off, with a deep dive into the design and implementation of Jump Points.
Roberts Space Industries is a spacecraft manufacturer within the "
In the video titled “Inside Star Citizen: Jump On It | Fall 2019,” the focus is on jump points, which are the gateways between star systems in the game Star Citizen. Jump points are wormholes that allow players to traverse between different clusters of star systems. The team at CitizenCon 2949 showcased the successful traversal of a jump point, specifically the arrival at the Pyro star system. The video provides insights into the creation of the first jump point, discussing the concept development, design iterations, and the use of volumetric cloud technology.
Assistant Art Director Jake Gainey explains the process of building the jump point, highlighting how they utilized the gas cloud technology developed for the game. This technology allows them to create dynamic, fully volumetric scenes, such as the nebula at the edge of the jump point. They also employed Houdini, a software tool, to generate the content for the jump point, including the gas cloud and tunnel routes. The team used a combination of geometry and shaders to achieve the desired effects and animation on the surfaces of the jump point.
The video emphasizes the significance of the jump point, as it signifies the expansion of Star Citizen beyond a single star system. The jump point represents a milestone in the game development, showcasing the technological advancements and attention to detail that the team has put into the game. The jump point is not just a linear experience but offers branching paths and flexibility for players to explore different locations within the universe. The video concludes with the team reflecting on the collaborative effort that went into building the jump point, with contributions from the VFX tech team and effects artists.
Overall, the video provides an in-depth look at the creation of the first jump point in Star Citizen, highlighting the technological advancements and creative processes involved in building these intricate and immersive experiences for players.