Planet Tech V5 is undergoing early testing on the planet Nyx in Star Citizen, showcasing significant visual improvements like denser forests, varied biomes, and enhanced weather effects, though it currently faces performance issues and incomplete features. This test focuses on technical and visual stress testing, with full gameplay integration and public release expected much later, possibly around December.
Planet Tech V5 is currently in early testing within Star Citizen, specifically on the planet Nyx, using Vulkan only for graphics, though DirectX 11 support is still being worked on and has not been removed. This test aims primarily to stress test tile activation on the server and assess client performance and visuals. The test is very early stage, with no content or locations on the planet yet, making travel slow and highlighting some issues with object popping and distances. The early nature of the test means many elements are not yet polished or fully implemented.
Visually, the new Planet Tech V5 shows significant improvements, especially with tree density and biome variety. Some biomes feature dense forests with large, detailed trees that are a big step up from current visuals, while others are more sparse. The mountains look better, and ore deposits are more naturally scattered and visually distinct. Weather effects like rain add atmosphere, enhancing immersion. However, some biomes appear bare or less impressive from certain distances, and lighting and time-of-day effects play a big role in the overall look.
Despite the visual improvements, there are notable performance and technical issues. Tree popping is common, with some trees appearing as rectangular blobs at certain distances. Performance at 4K without upscaling generally hovered around 50 frames per second on a high-end GPU, but frame time fluctuations were observed when flying quickly over dense areas. VRAM optimization is still pending, and bugs such as falling through the planet surface have been reported. These issues are expected at this early stage and are acknowledged by the developers.
This test is a prelude to a more complete integration of Planet Tech V5, which will eventually include mission content, population management, and other gameplay elements. The current build is not intended for live release or even public testing soon, with an estimated earliest live deployment possibly around December after other updates and events are addressed. The test provides valuable early feedback but is not representative of the final experience players will have.
Overall, Planet Tech V5 is primarily a visual and technical overhaul of planetary environments, improving immersion and scenery but not drastically changing gameplay on its own. The more impactful gameplay changes will come from associated features like the staritect system and populated locations. While exciting, players should temper expectations as much work remains before Planet Tech V5 is fully realized and integrated into Star Citizen. The current test serves as an important step in that ongoing development process.