The latest episode of Inside Star Citizen highlights updates in character customization, focusing on the development of realistic hair, armor, and animals, with insights from lead character artist Andre on the complexities of hair design. Despite a slowdown in feature development, the team has successfully implemented over 130 hairstyles and is committed to enhancing player expression and realism in the game.
In the latest episode of Inside Star Citizen, the focus is on updates regarding character customization, specifically hair, armor, and animals within the game. The host reflects on the changes in content output from Star Citizen, noting a slowdown in feature development and a shift in the format of their weekly shows. Instead of in-depth feature content, there have been shorter behind-the-scenes videos and dev diaries that emphasize the process and team dynamics rather than showcasing new features. This year has seen a significant focus on hair, which has been a long-standing challenge for the development team.
The segment features insights from Andre, a lead character artist, who discusses the complexities of creating realistic hair for characters in Star Citizen. He shares his journey from being apprehensive about working on hair to becoming praised for his contributions. Andre emphasizes the importance of hair in character design, arguing that it enhances the overall appearance and personal expression of avatars in the game. He also highlights the necessity of hair customization to reflect modern gaming standards, especially since players will often remove helmets in various scenarios.
The video delves into the technical aspects of hair creation, illustrating how the team has improved their hair pipeline and production processes. Andre mentions that the initial stages of hair development were challenging, but with the right tools and a collaborative team, they have significantly increased their output. The goal was to create a variety of hairstyles that could be used across both Star Citizen and Squadron 42, leading to the successful implementation of over 130 hairstyles, including beards and other customizable features.
Additionally, the discussion touches on the broader implications of hair technology for character customization and how it ties into the game’s development. The team has been pushing the limits of what is possible in terms of hair design, aiming for consistent quality across characters. They are also looking to expand hair options for future updates, including longer hairstyles and even synthetic fur for armor. This reflects a growing commitment to enhancing player expression and realism within the game.
Finally, the host wraps up the episode by acknowledging the importance of character design elements like hair in an MMO setting, particularly for marketing and player engagement. He emphasizes that hair is a critical aspect of character identity, affecting how players perceive their avatars. While the year has seen a reduction in feature-rich content, the host expresses satisfaction with the ongoing improvements in character customization and looks forward to future developments. The episode concludes with an invitation for viewers to subscribe for more updates and to participate in the ongoing Star Citizen community.