Danny Raymond shares mixed impressions of the new Aurora Mark II teaser, noting its departure from the original design and critiquing impractical features like the vertical lift fans, while acknowledging improvements such as enclosed cargo space and anticipating multiple variants. He also expects the traditional $45 starter package to be phased out due to inflation, with the Aurora Mark II priced higher as a strategic move to offer a better product for new players entering Star Citizen alongside Squadron 42’s release.
In this video, Danny Raymond from Ray’s Guide shares his initial thoughts on the newly released teaser for the Aurora Mark II, a starter ship for Star Citizen. He expresses curiosity about whether the developers could fit all the necessary features of a modern starter ship into the Aurora’s traditional footprint while maintaining its aesthetic. However, he feels that the design has shifted away from the original Aurora look, resembling more the Scorpius model, which he refers to as “Scorpius Jr.” This change reflects a departure from preserving the Aurora’s “essential essence.”
Danny critiques the retention of the Aurora’s vertical lift fans in the new design, calling them nonsensical because they would not function effectively on planets with thin or no atmospheres, which are common in the Star Citizen universe. He suggests that a more logical design would have included rotatable genuine VTOLs for better versatility. On a positive note, he notes that the new model appears to feature enclosed cargo loading with a two-across structure, similar to other RSI ships, and predicts there will be at least two distinct variants of the Aurora Mark II.
Regarding pricing, Danny anticipates that the base Aurora Mark II package will be priced between $45 and $60 with the game included, but he expects the traditional $45 starter package to be phased out. He predicts the Mustang will no longer be offered as a starter game package, possibly replaced by a Mustang 2 or other starter ships. The key driver behind this price increase, he explains, is inflation, citing that $45 in 2013 equates to about $62 in 2026, making a price adjustment economically reasonable.
Danny views the Aurora Mark II as a strategic move by Cloud Imperium Games to adapt to inflation while offering a better product. Since digital ships cost little to produce beyond data and bits, the company can justify releasing a more advanced version at a higher price point. He also speculates that many players who want more than the Aurora have likely already upgraded to other ships, meaning the Aurora Mark II will primarily serve new entrants to the game, especially with the upcoming release of Squadron 42 expected to bring in many new players.
In conclusion, Danny plans to do a detailed side-by-side comparison of the Aurora Mark II with its predecessor. He highlights the one major design element carried over that he finds illogical and encourages players to “fly safe” and “keep it real.” Overall, his impressions suggest mixed feelings about the aesthetic changes but an understanding of the economic factors influencing the new starter ship’s introduction.
