Star Citizen Alpha 3.23 Almost Ready - Ion Charge Fire, Jamming & Vulkan Updates

The latest Star Citizen update, version 3.23, introduces Quantum jamming, charge fire mode for the Aries ion weapon, and various optimizations and tweaks to enhance gameplay experience. Despite some known issues that still need to be addressed, the update aims to improve performance, fix bugs, and provide a more refined and immersive experience for players, with a predicted release date around May 2nd.

In the latest Star Citizen update, version 3.23, significant changes have been made, including the introduction of Quantum jamming as the only way to block Quantum Drive spooling, distinguishing it from Quantum snares. The game is evolving to incorporate dynamic economy, trade corridors, and police reactions to enhance gameplay. The Aries ion weapon now features a charge fire mode, requiring players to charge the weapon for more power and damage. Targeting improvements have been made, such as disabling the requirement to scan a target before sub-targeting is available.

Various optimizations and tweaks have been implemented in the update, including changes to weapon fire rates, increased magazine sizes for FPS weapons, and adjustments to vehicle and ship values. The Vulcan update now pre-compiles all shader cache when the game starts, reducing stuttering and hitching during gameplay. Network and server performance improvements have been made, along with fixes to elevators and transit behavior. Additional NPC archetypes have been added, and bug fixes have been implemented.

Despite the progress made in the update, there are still some known issues that need to be addressed, such as server crash recovery removing current missions and distribution center missions showing wrong location markers. The game’s performance, collision issues in certain locations, and missing features like breathable air in airlocks are also on the list of known issues. Engineering gameplay concerns, such as destroyed items still being functional and repair UI issues, are being investigated and worked on.

The development team is continuously monitoring and improving the game, with ongoing efforts to address bugs, glitches, and performance issues. The release date for version 3.23 is predicted to be around May 2nd, with the developers aiming for an open PTU soon. Players are advised to participate in the ongoing Overdrive event and be prepared for potential wipes of certain in-game items with the update. Overall, the update brings a mix of gameplay enhancements, optimizations, and bug fixes, setting the stage for a more refined and immersive Star Citizen experience.