In this Star Citizen Week in Review for October 5th, 2026, SaltEMike covers several updates and developments in the game. The new game access system has gone live, allowing players to designate which game package they want to launch Star Citizen with, while other packages can be returned for store credit or gifted. This change aims to streamline the system ahead of Squadron 42’s release, preventing exploits like finishing the game and returning it for credit. Mike reassures viewers that the transition is manageable and encourages players to choose their preferred package carefully within the one-month window.
The patch notes reveal some quality-of-life improvements, including ships maintaining their power state upon retrieval and engines defaulting to off to prevent issues like ships getting stuck. An intriguing update involves refinery capacities being increased significantly, hinting that refinery ships might soon be functional in the game. This change could introduce a new dynamic to resource processing, possibly linked to the upcoming Intergalactic Aerospace Expo (IAE) event, where the refinery module is expected to be part of a highlight ship, the Galaxy.
Mike also discusses the ongoing mysterious event in the PTU, with adjustments to event missions and rewards that aim to make the event more engaging and less predictable than past events. There are hints that the event might be connected to the new Constellation ship, which could be tied to rental mechanics introduced in a recent patch. The rental system allows players to interact with ships in a more meaningful way, such as trying out ships by completing simple missions, rather than just acquiring them passively.
A major highlight of the week is the Planet Tech V5 tech preview, which showcases advancements in planet generation technology. The new tech aims to create planets faster with more natural biome transitions and greater variety. Mike notes that while the new planets mostly meet or exceed current standards in terms of foliage density and terrain realism, some areas like grass and smaller foliage need improvement. Additionally, there were more mountain ranges than expected, and some issues like terrain popping still persist, indicating that the tech is promising but still a work in progress.
Finally, Mike shares a sneak peek of two ships, including the Skylark, believed to be a snub ship accompanying the upcoming Constellation Mark 5. The design hints at RSI’s evolving ship lineup, with Kruger now operating independently from the Constellation series. Overall, the week’s updates suggest steady progress in Star Citizen’s development with exciting new features on the horizon, including improved planetary tech, refined gameplay mechanics, and fresh ship content, setting the stage for a busy and promising future for the game.
