"They’re finally talking about the release of Star Citizen, as well as getting server meshing into our hands. Let me tell you all about it.
2023 Recap
4.0, Server Meshing, Pyro
Layoffs and Departures
Star Citizen 1.0 Release"
The recent letter from the chairman of Star Citizen, Chris Roberts, discussed the progress made in the game over the past year, including testing server meshing and plans for future testing. There were also mentions of recent departures and layoffs within the company. Roberts also touched upon the highly anticipated Star Citizen 1.0 release, which would mark the game’s full commercial release. The letter highlighted the achievements in testing server meshing, with a player successfully jumping from one server to another, and plans for further testing with multiple configurations.
The letter also addressed the upcoming Citizen Con event, where more information on Squadron 42 is expected to be shared, though no specific release date was mentioned. The progress made in server meshing testing was emphasized, with plans for its official release alongside the star system Pyro in version 4.0. The aim is to increase player capacity and improve server performance, addressing a longstanding issue in the game. Ben Wa, the head of the server meshing team, discussed the advancements made in the replication layer, promising a smoother gameplay experience.
Chris Roberts highlighted that Star Citizen is at an inflection point, aiming to achieve a seamless and vast game environment. The transition of teams from Squadron 42 to Star Citizen is expected to accelerate the game’s development and polish its features. The letter also discussed recent layoffs within the company, with some team members being asked to relocate to different studios. The departure of Todd Papy, the director for Star Citizen’s persistent Universe, was addressed, with Roberts explaining the circumstances behind his leaving. Despite challenges, there is optimism for the game’s future.
The concept of a Star Citizen 1.0 release was explored, aiming for a stable, polished game with engaging content for players. Rich Tyer’s new role as senior game director was announced, focusing on merging Squadron 42 and Star Citizen teams to enhance development efficiency. The promise of large quarterly updates and improvements to various game systems was made, with a new roadmap expected to provide a clearer vision for the game’s future. The letter concluded with anticipation for upcoming events and upgrades in the game, expressing determination to finish strong despite the project’s lengthy and challenging journey. Overall, the letter provided insights into the game’s progress, upcoming developments, and the vision for a full commercial release.