Star Citizen: CitizenCon 2949 - Building a Dynamic Universe

“Learn how Star Citizen will create and balance systemic content for entire star systems with a live demonstration of the Universe Simulator with Tony Zurovec and Jake Muehle.”

During the CitizenCon 2949 event, Tony Zurich, the director of the persistent universe for Star Citizen, introduced a new technology called Quantum. Quantum is a dynamic content system that responds to player and NPC actions in a logical and systemic manner, making the universe of Star Citizen a more interesting and realistic place to explore. The system focuses on three main areas: missions, economic nodes, and probability volumes.

In terms of missions, Quantum allows for customization and injection of data into mission containers, enabling designers to create diverse and dynamic missions that respond to the needs of the game world. Economic nodes, such as refineries and retail shops, also benefit from Quantum by creating a more realistic supply and demand system. Economic nodes now have the ability to regulate their own inventory based on market forces, and even NPCs can step in to maintain the balance if players don’t.

Probability volumes, which dictate what players encounter as they travel through the game world, have been enhanced by Quantum. These volumes now have the ability to dynamically generate probabilities based on player actions and the state of the game world. This means that the game environment will change according to the actions of NPCs and players, creating a more immersive and dynamic experience.

Overall, Quantum represents a significant leap forward in creating a dynamic and logical universe for Star Citizen. It provides a framework for systemic behavior and allows for the simulation of millions of NPCs, significantly enhancing the overall gameplay experience. While there is still work to be done in integrating Quantum into the game, it shows promise in delivering a truly dynamic and immersive game world for players to explore.