The Alpha 3.23.1 update for Star Citizen introduces player respawn changes, the ability to repair ship components, and new vehicles like the Saber Raven and Nursa. The update also includes improvements to NPC locomotion, AI pilots, and performance optimizations, leading up to the upcoming Invictus launch week event showcasing new content and enhancements.
Alpha 3.23.1 for Star Citizen has brought about various updates and changes, with the PTU version being available for testing before its release to the public. One significant change is the ability to repair fully damaged vehicle parts, weapons, and components using a repair tool after removing them from the ship with a tractor beam. This feature enhances the sense of ownership and connection to vehicles in the game. Additionally, new vehicles like the gold standard Saber Raven and the medical Earth Rover variant, known as Nursa, have been introduced.
Cloud Imperium has made controversial changes to player respawning, aiming to provide a less harsh experience when players enter the action. All medical bed tiers can now be set as regeneration locations, with the range varying based on the tier level. This temporary change aims to make the current persistent Universe less punishing and gather FPS data quickly, but it may not align with the game’s long-term vision of rewarding planning, practice, and skill over instant respawning.
Improvements have been made to NPC locomotion server sync extrapolation to reduce teleportation issues that were noticeable after the 3.23 update. Ship AI pilots now have a more balanced use of aim assist based on skill level, smoothing out the difficulty curve when transitioning between lower and higher threat missions. Various performance optimizations have been implemented, including entity graph stability improvements, visual enhancements, and bug fixes.
Invictus launch week is set to begin on the 17th, lasting for two weeks and featuring new content such as the Firebird Saber Raven ship and the highly anticipated medical Ursa variant. The event will showcase quality of life improvements and performance enhancements from the 3.23 update. Players can expect exciting additions during Invictus, although the release of certain vehicles like the Apollo remains uncertain. The event offers a great opportunity for new players to try Star Citizen for free and experience the latest updates.
The upcoming 3.23.1 patch is expected to bring further improvements, possibly focusing on hangars and cargo updates. Players are encouraged to participate in the Invictus event to explore new features, ships, and vehicles, such as the ability to fix components, which adds depth to gameplay. Viewers are invited to engage with the content creator on Twitch and explore the off-grid series playlist for more Star Citizen ideas. Additionally, a discount on the Tobii Tracker 5 is available for a limited time, offering an immersive experience while playing Star Citizen.