The Star Citizen live stream detailed the ongoing development of industrial gameplay, including crafting, refining, and mission variety, emphasizing a balanced mix of PvP and PvE across different security zones. It highlighted future features like multi-crew mining, dynamic salvage missions, advanced cargo management, and player-driven economy mechanics, with crafting set to release in alpha 4.7 and continued expansions planned.
The recent Star Citizen live stream featured Thorston, the lead systems designer, and Elliot, the lead mission designer, discussing the ongoing development of industrial gameplay and non-combat professions in the game. A major highlight was the clarification on Star Citizen’s approach to PvP and PvE, emphasizing that the game incorporates both elements. High-security systems like Terror and Stanton will offer relative safety with law enforcement responses to unlawful actions, while low-security systems like Pyro and Nyx will present a more dangerous, Wild West-style environment with minimal security intervention. Players will be informed about the risks associated with different systems, allowing them to make informed choices about their gameplay.
Crafting and the industrial gameplay loop have seen significant evolution, with crafting currently in a tech preview phase and scheduled for further testing. The full industrial loop will involve roles such as miners, salvagers, and refiners, all contributing to crafting. Although ship-based refining won’t be part of the initial crafting release, it is planned for the future alongside base building, which will further integrate and expand industrial gameplay. Material quality and refining depth will be enhanced over time, with refining becoming a key aspect of obtaining valuable crafting materials through stations, ships, and bases.
Mission variety is set to increase, with different corporations offering specialized mining contracts and scouting missions that encourage exploration and data gathering. The return of mission givers like Reco Betaglia is planned, adding more depth to mission interactions beyond the current mobiGlas system. Industrial missions will evolve to include new objectives such as retrieving items by various means, and reputation progression with factions will unlock rewards including blueprints, skins, modules, and ships. There will also be improvements to multi-crew experiences, especially in mining and salvage, encouraging teamwork and more meaningful group play.
Additional industrial gameplay features discussed include dynamically generated salvage missions, trash cleanup tasks, and towing missions, all aimed at creating a more immersive and interactive universe. Refueling missions, both player-to-NPC and NPC-to-player, are planned to add new layers of gameplay, with increased risk in dangerous areas like Pyro. The upcoming mothership and carrier gameplay will enable ships to rearm, repair, and refuel while docked, moving away from siphoning mechanics towards harvesting gas from atmospheres for fuel production. Cargo management will also see updates, including cargo manifests, repackaging options, and new mission types involving ground-based cargo handling within distribution centers.
Overall, the live stream provided a comprehensive update on Star Citizen’s industrial gameplay, highlighting the balance between PvP and PvE, the expansion of crafting and refining systems, and the broadening of mission variety and complexity. The developers are focused on creating a dynamic and player-driven economy with meaningful risk versus reward mechanics. The community can look forward to the crafting release in alpha 4.7 and continued improvements across various gameplay systems. The video concluded with a reminder about ongoing giveaways, affiliate links, and ways to support the channel, encouraging viewers to stay engaged with the evolving Star Citizen universe.