“Star Citizen is currently testing server meshing and jump points for the upcoming release of their next star system Pyro, and it was a success!”
Star Citizen is finally testing server meshing and jump point technology after over 10 years of development. This mechanic allows players to jump from one star system to another, expanding the game beyond just one star system. The testing is currently being conducted behind closed doors with a select group of players known as Evocati, who test new features before wider community release. The focus of the test is to ensure the functionality of going from one server to another using jump points, without visual content due to NDA restrictions.
During the test, players can choose between the Stanton system and the Pyro system, with the Pyro system being an older version used as a placeholder. Players spawn, get their ships, and fly to the jump point depending on their system. A glowing ball at the end of the gates indicates the jump point, and ships now have a separate jump drive activated similarly to the Quantum Drive. Players must align properly and request access from ATC before entering the jump tunnel.
Alignment is crucial for successfully entering the jump point, with players needing to be within 15 km and properly aligned for the jump to work. The current test revealed some challenges with alignment, causing players to struggle and sometimes collide with others. Additionally, players could not jump together, making it a one-at-a-time process. The tunnel through the jump point is currently a placeholder, lacking visual effects or polish.
The successful connection of two servers with a cap of 60 players each marks significant progress in the development of server meshing. The focus on functionality over usability in this test suggests that further refinements are needed before wider testing. The ability to jump with friends in a group will be crucial for navigating potential dangers at jump points, especially in systems like Pyro where encounters with pirates are expected.
While the exact release date for wider public testing is unknown, it is speculated to be in the near future. The development team is working on making the system more intuitive and user-friendly before a broader community test. The progress made with server meshing and jump point technology indicates a promising year ahead for Star Citizen, with the potential for a tech preview around the release of version 3.23. The full implementation of Pyro and server meshing may still be a while off, possibly around Citizen Con or later in the year.