The recent announcement that Squadron 42, a component of Star Citizen, is “feature complete” has raised questions about its release date. However, the video explains that despite being feature complete, the game still needs updates, bug fixes, and optimization to provide a polished experience, with a projected release date of next year.
In this video, the speaker discusses the recent announcement that Squadron 42, a component of the game Star Citizen, is now considered “feature complete.” This means that all the necessary features and content to play the game from start to finish have been developed. While this is an exciting milestone, the speaker explains that there are still several reasons why the game is not immediately released to backers.
Firstly, the development of Squadron 42 has taken several years, during which the underlying game engine, Star Engine, has made significant progress. This means that some older levels may need to be updated and refactored to utilize the new technology. Additionally, cutscenes need to be reworked to incorporate new cloth and hair mechanics. There is also a backlog of bugs that need to be addressed, as the goal is to make the game playable without significant issues.
Furthermore, optimization is essential to create a smooth gaming experience. The speaker believes that CIG, the game’s developers, have the advantage of time to optimize the game before its release and enhance the overall experience for players. Since Squadron 42 serves as an entry point into the Star Citizen universe, it is crucial to make a good impression on potential new players. This includes polishing effects, lights, and other assets to create a cinematic experience.
While the exact release date is uncertain, the speaker believes next year is a realistic estimate, given the current progress and effort being put into the project. The community’s general consensus is that next year’s CitizenCon event may serve as the release date, although it’s possible we may see some impact in the Persistent Universe (PU) before then. However, certain content, such as the Idris, Javelin, and possibly Polaris ships, may not be brought into the PU to avoid spoilers. It is unclear what other content will be excluded, but major engine features, such as the new renderer and hair/fabric physics, may be added. New character customization options and UI improvements are expected to be released alongside Squadron 42.
The speaker concludes by asking viewers about their thoughts on the release date and which features they anticipate appearing in the PU before Squadron 42’s launch.