The CitizenCon Q&A session “Crafting Your Home” discussed the integration of base building into Star Citizen, highlighting how it will impact player interactions, resource management, and the risks of owning a base in lawless areas. The panel also touched on the mechanics of resource gathering, the role of alien resources, and future ship construction, emphasizing that all features are subject to change based on player feedback and testing.
The recent CitizenCon Q&A session, titled “Crafting Your Home,” featured Jared and a panel including Jacob, Luke, Deand, and Thorston. They discussed the integration of base building into the broader gameplay of Star Citizen. Luke emphasized that base building would fundamentally alter player interactions, serving as a core component of various game loops, such as resource collection and trade. Players will need to gather resources to construct and craft, while also considering the implications of base location, particularly in lawless areas where bases can be raided when unprotected.
Jared highlighted the potential risks associated with base ownership, noting that players must be vigilant about their valuables. If a base is left unattended in a lawless zone, it can be subject to raids, resulting in the loss of items. Players will need to relocate valuables to safer locations before logging out. The discussion also touched on the mechanics of planetary shields, which will differ based on the legality of the area, and how aerial bombardments will be countered by these shields.
The panel addressed the complexities of resource management, indicating that once rare resources are depleted, players will need to move to find new sources, as they won’t respawn immediately at the same location. The economy team is tasked with balancing these resource dynamics. Additionally, players will have opportunities to destroy and capture buildings for their resources, though this won’t be a straightforward exchange. Scanning will remain crucial for resource gathering, with players needing to understand where certain materials can be found based on environmental clues.
The conversation also covered the integration of alien resources and how they will be more prevalent on alien worlds. The team is still fine-tuning these mechanics based on player feedback and testing. Players will be able to log out from the same base for convenience, and drones will play a role in construction, self-destructing if players do not return in time. Jared reiterated the importance of understanding that all discussed features are subject to change and are not guaranteed to be implemented as presented.
Finally, the panel discussed the future of ship ownership and construction, mentioning that players will receive plans for building ships and that higher-tier ships may require additional plans. Research will play a significant role in upgrading blueprints, with ships having up to five tiers and other items up to three. The team aims to ensure that new constructions fit into the terrain naturally, while still prioritizing the scouting process over complete player control of land. Overall, the Q&A provided insights into the evolving gameplay mechanics surrounding base building and resource management in Star Citizen.