The leaked internal email from Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) has caused confusion among Star Citizen fans, but it did not indicate a change in plans for the upcoming Alpha 4.0 patch. Although there is still a possibility of a delay, the overall release strategy for Alpha 4.0 remains in place, with gradual implementation of foundational technologies throughout 2023.
The recent leaked internal email from Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) has caused confusion among Star Citizen fans about the status of the upcoming Alpha 4.0 patch. The email acknowledged that the release of Bethesda’s Starfield has generated more appreciation for Star Citizen and sees it as a game that offers more expansion possibilities. However, the email did not indicate a change in CIG’s plans for Alpha 4.0, which were outlined by Chris Roberts in a previous letter. According to Roberts, they aim to introduce static server meshing and Pyro into the PTU (Public Test Universe) by the fourth quarter of 2023.
The leaked email also mentioned the release of the 321 build before the end of the year, indicating that there will be a live patch prior to Alpha 4.0. This is in line with CIG’s strategy of gradually rolling out new technologies and improving the game’s performance and stability. They have learned from the messy rollout of the 318 and 319 patches, which introduced persistent entity streaming, and are implementing new methods to prevent similar issues in the future. They are using a new Cloud test launcher tool to stress test the game servers at scale and address issues before a live release.
CIG is also working on the replication layer split and crash recovery, which will enhance the game’s crash resilience and reduce lag. This will allow players to stay connected while a new server takes over and improve the refresh rate of object state for the clients. Compatibility testing with static server meshing has already begun, and these foundational technologies are expected to be gradually implemented throughout 2023.
While there is still a possibility that Alpha 4.0 might not be available to players in the PTU this year and could be pushed to 2024, the overall plan for the release has not drastically changed. Fans are eagerly awaiting updates on Alpha 4.0 and server meshing at the upcoming CitizenCon event, hoping for positive news and a much-needed win for both the community and CIG.
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