“Founder and CEO Chris Roberts stops by to discuss topics ranging from Alpha 3.2, the upcoming Alpha 3.3, and the nature of today’s Star Citizen game development.”
In this episode of “Reverse the Verse Live,” Content Manager Jared Huckaby hosts a discussion with Chris Roberts, founder and CEO of Cloud Imperium Games, about the development of Star Citizen alpha 3.2. They discuss the importance of the new party and group system, the implementation of mining as a gameplay loop, and the improvements made to the user interface and overall quality of life. Roberts expresses his satisfaction with the progress of alpha 3.2 and the positive feedback from the community.
He also addresses the delay of object container streaming, stating that it is a must-have feature for Hurston, the new star system planned for alpha 3.3. The object container streaming will ensure that the game can run smoothly even with the addition of large capital ships like the Idris. Roberts emphasizes that the quarterly release schedule is important for discipline and maintaining a consistent cadence of content updates.
The discussion moves on to the future of Star Citizen, with Roberts mentioning the need for more efficient tools and processes to speed up the creation of new star systems and content. He acknowledges that progress has been slower than desired, but assures that efforts are being made to improve the speed of development. Roberts also confirms that AI improvements, including the introduction of AI companions for ship-to-ship and FPS gameplay, are in the pipeline and will be rolled out in future updates.
Regarding the Squadron 42 roadmap, Roberts explains that production is still in progress and they are not ready to announce a complete roadmap yet. The team wants to ensure that all aspects of the game are well-planned and confident before sharing the details with the community. He emphasizes the importance of making a great game and taking the time needed to achieve the desired level of quality, which often involves adjusting plans and ensuring that developers have sufficient resources and tools.
The episode wraps up with Huckaby mentioning upcoming changes to the ATV format. The aim is to provide more targeted and higher quality content, breaking it into smaller, more digestible segments. The team is exploring different formats and looking to improve the production quality. The goal is to appeal to different types of players, from diehard fans to more casual viewers, and provide them with content that is relevant and engaging.