The podcast discusses upcoming updates in Star Citizen’s Alpha 4.2.0 patch, Fleet Week funding success, studio staff changes, and the potential console ports for Squadron 42, highlighting strategic developments and community events. They also cover new features like ship naming and referral programs, emphasizing ongoing community engagement and future prospects for the game.
The podcast, hosted by Board Gamer and Zena, provides updates and insights on Star Citizen’s latest developments, focusing on the upcoming Alpha 4.2.0 patch, which is currently with the Evocati testers and expected to enter wider PTU and eventually go live in mid-June. They discuss the potential features of this patch, including new content like Valakar eggs, adult Valakar, research facilities, and combat mechs. The hosts speculate on sandbox activities such as egg smuggling and fighting Apex Valakar, emphasizing that leaks and rumors should be taken with caution as the actual content may change before release.
They also cover Fleet Week, highlighting its success in terms of funding, which is on track to surpass previous years’ totals, partly driven by the sale of ship addresses and the introduction of the flyable Idris. The hosts talk about the artificial scarcity tactics used in these sales, the potential in-game availability of ships like the Idris, and the overall positive reception of Fleet Week’s ship sales and events. They express optimism about the future funding growth, especially with upcoming events like Intergalactic Aerospace Expo, and discuss the strategic reasons behind the high sales figures.
The conversation shifts to internal studio changes at CIG, where several key staff involved in server meshing have left the company over recent months. They analyze possible reasons, including restructuring, focus shifts to the UK studio, and the impact of closing the LA studio. The hosts mention that staff departures are common in large companies undergoing major restructuring and that the overall culture at CIG appears positive, despite some negative perceptions on platforms like Glassdoor. They also highlight that new hires and internal promotions are likely to fill these gaps, maintaining progress on game development.
A significant part of the discussion revolves around the hiring of new devs with console experience, specifically for Squadron 42. They note that although Squadron 42 is traditionally considered a PC game, the explicit mention of current and next-generation console experience in job listings suggests possible console ports or releases. The hosts believe that porting the game to consoles could be feasible and profitable, provided that graphical and technical concessions are managed well, and see this as a potential way to expand the game’s audience and revenue.
Finally, the hosts talk about upcoming features like ship naming waves and the new referral ladder system, which will start on July 1st. They explain how players can benefit from the new referral program, emphasizing the importance of securing at least one referral before the deadline to maximize rewards. They also promote community events, giveaways, and partnerships, encouraging viewers to participate and support the channel. The episode concludes with a light-hearted note, including advertisements for NordVPN and Toby Tracker, and a reminder about ongoing giveaways and community engagement opportunities.