The video outlines significant updates to the insurance and warranty system in Star Citizen, introducing a tiered insurance structure and a permanent warranty for all ships to enhance ship recovery and prevent permanent losses. These changes aim to clarify the recovery process for players and address economic implications within the game’s ecosystem.
In a recent update following CitizenCon, significant changes to the insurance and warranty system in Star Citizen were announced, which are expected to impact ship purchases for backers. The video discusses these changes in detail, explaining the evolution of insurance concepts, such as Lifetime Insurance (LTI), which guarantees indefinite coverage for ships. Initially, insurance was straightforward, providing replacements for lost ships, but the introduction of warranties adds complexity to the system.
The new warranty system complements existing insurance, allowing players to recover ships based on their insurance level or receive a credit payout depending on the age of the ship and whether it has warranty coverage. Insurance is now categorized into three levels: Level One covers the hull and stock components, Level Two includes custom components, and Level Three encompasses hull, custom components, and decorations. This tiered approach aims to provide more nuanced coverage for players.
Ships purchased through pledges will still come with a basic insurance level, but players can buy additional coverage in-game. A crucial aspect of this update is that every ship attributed to a player’s account—whether purchased or won—will have a permanent warranty, ensuring players can always recover their ships, albeit sometimes for a credit fee if insurance is lacking. This change is designed to prevent permanent loss of ships tied to player accounts.
The video also highlights different scenarios for ship recovery, detailing outcomes based on whether a ship has insurance or warranty. For example, a ship lost without insurance is permanently gone, while a ship with both insurance and warranty can be recovered based on insurance terms. This structure aims to clarify the recovery process and reduce confusion for players, especially newcomers to the game.
Lastly, the video touches on the economic implications of these changes, noting that insurance payments could serve as a credit sink to manage inflation within the game’s economy. Additionally, a proposed shuttle service will help players recover lost ships, addressing the issue of claims often arising from non-destructive losses. Overall, these updates represent a significant shift in how players interact with ship ownership and recovery in Star Citizen, with a focus on enhancing the player experience.