“CIG announced a change to PTU access waves and unleashed a crapstorm of outrage. But some are blowing this way out of proportion. I did into what the changes are, who benefits, who doesn’t, and try to be a bit more steady. Also how you c”
In a recent announcement by Star Citizen, changes to the PTU (Public Test Universe) phase of the game’s testing were revealed. This led to some outrage and click-baity headlines claiming that players would have to spend $25,000 to get PTU access, which is not true. The changes involve a tiered system based on time played and subscriber status. The chart provided compares the previous waves of PTU access to the new system, with some players being promoted to earlier waves and others potentially being demoted. The group that may feel the most loss are the concierge-level players who do not qualify for earlier waves. However, this does not mean that they are being forced to spend $25,000; rather, they are encouraged to get a subscription, which costs $10 per month. Additionally, players have the opportunity to become part of the Evocati group, which grants access to the most unstable and buggy patches but also requires a promise of non-disclosure.
The announcement also included updates on giveaways. There is a 10,000 subscriber giveaway for an LTI Hull C, a colossal cargo carrier, or $100 in Steam store credit. An annual IAE (Intergalactic Aerospace Expo) giveaway will also take place, with the choice of a master module mining, moving medical machine, or a big box biker bazaar known as the Mergernan, or again $100 in Steam store credit. One entry per video is allowed, and participants can enter automatically by being a channel member or subscribe and comment using the secret word provided.
Overall, the changes to the PTU access in Star Citizen have caused some controversy, but it is important to understand that players are not being forced to spend exorbitant amounts of money. The tiered system, based on time played and subscription status, aims to provide a more even distribution of access and benefits to content creators. The Evocati group also offers an opportunity for players to participate in testing the game at its earliest and most unstable stages. The video also provides updates on giveaways for subscribers and viewers.