Star Citizen is Working on A LOT of Ships Right Now (Deep Dive)

The video provides a detailed update on the extensive range of ships currently in development for Star Citizen, highlighting progress from early design phases to near-release stages across various ship types, including the Anvil Paladin, Gatac Railin, Drake Ironclad, and the massive Drake Kraken. It underscores the developers’ ongoing efforts to expand gameplay possibilities with diverse and ambitious ship designs, anticipating multiple releases between late 2025 and 2026.

The video provides an in-depth update on the current status of various ships being developed for Star Citizen, focusing on the progress reported in the latest monthly update. It begins with the Anvil Paladin, which is progressing steadily through the gray box phase with a planned July gate review. If successful, it will move to LOD zero and final art stages, aiming for a release by the end of 2025. The excitement then shifts to the Gatac Railin, a long-anticipated alien cargo hauler with unique triangular cargo pods and a beautiful Xian design. Although pre-production has just started, the Railin is expected to enter full production later this year, with a likely release in 2026.

Next, the video covers the Drake Ironclad, a large, multi-crew armored freighter designed for industrial gameplay and operations. Despite being in white box phase since late 2024, work resumed recently focusing on layout and modular kit refinement. Confidence in its timely release has decreased, with expectations leaning toward a 2026 launch. The Ironclad is highly anticipated for its security features and versatile gameplay potential, including boarding defense and cargo management, making it a fan-favorite among players.

The update also highlights multiple unannounced ships, with five or six currently in various stages of production. Two have moved from white box to gray box, focusing on hull detailing, while another is in the final production stages, likely the RSI Meteor, which is approaching release imminently. Additionally, a new unannounced vehicle has entered production and is nearing its white box review, expected to release later this year. The team is also working on a new variant that entered pre-production with an unusually fast production pipeline, though details remain sparse.

In North America, the RSI Apollo Medivac and Triage variants have reached LOD zero, with developers ensuring modular medical components function correctly. The RSI Perseus, a large ship, is nearing its gray box gate review, with a probable release later this year, possibly around CitizenCon or IAE. Lastly, the Drake Kraken, a massive spacecraft carrier and flying base, has entered pre-production. This ship is envisioned as a floating pirate base with extensive gameplay possibilities, including hosting contracts, missions, and player interactions. However, it requires further design updates to meet modern standards and is expected to release no earlier than late 2026.

Overall, the video emphasizes the impressive volume and diversity of ships currently in development for Star Citizen, ranging from modular medical ships to massive carriers and unique alien cargo haulers. The development pipeline is active, with several ships progressing through critical phases, while others remain in early production stages. This extensive ship development reflects the game’s ambitious scope and the developers’ commitment to expanding gameplay options and immersive experiences. The video concludes by noting that the next update will provide further insights into these projects as they evolve.