Star Citizen: What Are the Long Promised Features That Will Be Alpha 5.0

In the video, Daniel Raymond discusses the anticipated features of Star Citizen’s Alpha 5.0, emphasizing the introduction of AI crew members, character account crews, and a “guest play” feature that allows friends to temporarily control characters. He believes these innovations will significantly enhance gameplay and justify the milestone designation of Alpha 5.0, while also providing updates on ship giveaways and community engagement.

In the video, Daniel Raymond, the voice behind Ray’s guide, discusses the anticipated features of Star Citizen’s Alpha 5.0, moving beyond the current focus on Alpha 4.0. He emphasizes that while many are speculating about the upcoming 4.0 release, he aims to explore what transformative features might be included in 5.0. He argues that the 1.0 release will not introduce new capabilities but will instead signify a milestone in the game’s development. The next major update, according to Raymond, should be termed “The Crew Release,” which will include long-promised features that enhance gameplay significantly.

One of the key features discussed is the introduction of AI crew members. Raymond explains that the development of AI crew capabilities has likely progressed during the creation of Squadron 42, where players interact with a fully AI-crewed ship. He acknowledges the challenges of creating AI that can operate effectively across various ships but believes that the groundwork laid in Squadron 42 will facilitate this. The implementation of AI crew is seen as essential for enhancing gameplay, though Raymond notes that an AI crewed ship may face competitive disadvantages compared to fully player-crewed ships.

Raymond also touches on the concept of character account crews, which would allow players with multiple game accounts to utilize their characters as NPC crew members. This feature would enable players to switch between characters seamlessly without having to log in and out of the game. He argues that this system could simplify the development of AI crew by allowing players to step in and manage situations when AI performance falls short, creating a balance between player control and AI assistance.

Another innovative feature proposed is “guest play,” which would allow players to grant temporary access to their characters to friends without sharing account passwords. This would enable friends to take control of a character, facilitating group play and cooperation, especially as the game universe expands. Raymond highlights the potential for this feature to become increasingly valuable as travel times between systems grow longer, making it easier for players to collaborate without the need for multiple game accounts.

Finally, Raymond suggests that the management of guest access to characters will require a user-friendly interface, especially for players with multiple accounts. He believes that these interconnected features—AI crew, character account crews, and guest play—could significantly enhance the gameplay experience in Star Citizen and justify the designation of Alpha 5.0. He concludes the video with updates about ship giveaways and encourages viewers to participate while also engaging with the game’s community.