In the Star Citizen Live Q&A on November 15, 2024, the team discussed the Genesis toolset’s potential for creating alien landscapes and emphasized the importance of lore and environmental details in making new planets feel meaningful. They also addressed challenges like implementing weather effects, roads, and environmental interactions, while highlighting their commitment to developing immersive gameplay mechanics.
In the Star Citizen Live Q&A held on November 15, 2024, the focus was on the Genesis toolset and its implications for game development. Hosted by Jared, with guests Ali Wills and Sebastian Graham, the session included questions from both live attendees and the Spectrum community. However, Jared specified that questions related to features expected before the next CitizenCon would be limited. This led to a discussion about the potential for creating truly alien landscapes, with the team emphasizing their desire to master believable environments before venturing into more fantastical designs.
The team discussed the speed at which they could create new planets using the Genesis tools, clarifying that they currently cannot measure this time accurately as the tools are still in development. Although they confirmed that the Genesis system could facilitate quicker planet creation, they stressed the importance of supporting lore and objects to give these planets meaning and depth. Without these elements, new planets would lack substance and feel empty.
Weather effects were also a significant topic, with the team expressing their ambition to implement various storm types. While they acknowledged that movies serve as inspiration for these features, they reiterated that the focus must remain on developing the necessary tools before expanding into more complex weather phenomena. They mentioned that sonic booms would be accurately modeled for players, although this feature is not currently prioritized. Additionally, the team touched on the sound design, noting that the new audio engine would replace the existing one, enhancing the overall experience.
The conversation then shifted to the challenges of implementing roads and persistent environmental effects, such as puddles forming after storms. While the team confirmed the need for roads, they indicated that it is not an immediate focus. They also teased players about testing whether dead characters would float in lakes, suggesting a level of interactivity within the game. The discussion included details about planetary mechanics, such as the possibility of variable orbits and seasonal changes based on planetary tilt, although these features are still in the works.
The Q&A concluded with various questions about environmental interactions, such as the placement of mining nodes and the effects of landing ships in wooded areas. The developers confirmed that mining nodes would follow strict rules and causality, while the outcome of landing in tall trees remains uncertain. Overall, the session provided insights into the ongoing development of Star Citizen, highlighting the team’s commitment to creating a rich and immersive universe while managing the complexities of new technology and gameplay mechanics.