The September Star Citizen report highlights significant progress on ship updates, including modernizations to the RSI Aurora and Aegis Hammerhead, the upcoming release of new ships like the Drake Ironclad variants, and ongoing development of unannounced vessels. Additionally, advancements in AI, animation, gameplay systems like engineering and vehicle command, and mission design were discussed, setting the stage for exciting updates ahead of CitizenCon.
In the September monthly report for Star Citizen, the focus was largely on ship updates, with several vessels progressing through various development stages. Notably, the RSI Aurora and Aegis Hammerhead are receiving modern updates, with the Aurora nearing release thanks to improvements in component bays, dashboard placement, and cargo access. The Hammerhead is also advancing, though not as far along as the Aurora. Other ships like the Paladin and Misc Hull-B are moving through important development phases, with the Drake Ironclad variants approaching their white box gate review, suggesting a likely release at next year’s Invictus event.
The report also highlighted four unannounced ships nearing completion, with some already in final development stages, including one variant of a recently released popular ship. Speculation around this variant hints it could be related to the RSI Apollo, though this remains uncertain. The North American team is finalizing fixes for the RSI Apollo ahead of its release, while the RSI Perseus has passed its Law Zero phase and is expected to launch at the upcoming Intergalactic Aerospace Expo (IAE). Additionally, the Drake Kraken has entered the white box phase, indicating steady progress on this large ship.
On the AI and animation front, a new creature called the Yormidy, a variant of the Valakar, was confirmed and is being polished. The animation team is also working on a new boss fight creature and facial animations for upcoming characters, including returning voices. Character art is progressing with new armors and gang designs being finalized. Meanwhile, mission system 2.0 is still in planning stages, with developers discussing the best approach for implementation, suggesting it may not arrive very soon.
Core gameplay updates were more limited but still notable. Engineering is undergoing extensive iteration and playtesting, with hopes for a wider tech preview by year-end. The vehicle command module is in pre-production, focusing on fixing docking system issues. Flight gameplay improvements include better AI control of surfaces and flexible cockpit design elements. Inventory rework continues with new equipment slot functionality and UI enhancements, aiming to improve player experience, though its release timeline remains uncertain.
Lastly, the report touched on mission design and VFX work. Some old factions are being removed or reorganized, hinting at changes in player interactions with in-game groups. VFX teams completed work on the ASC locations and RSI Apollo ships, and production on the Yormidy creature and related areas is ongoing. With CitizenCon approaching, the community is eager for more updates, especially on ships and features like engineering, making the coming months an exciting period for Star Citizen fans.