# The new progress Tracker and 4.0, Citizencon, and IAE

**URL:** <https://www.starzen.space/t/the-new-progress-tracker-and-4-0-citizencon-and-iae/20317>\
**Category:** Content Creators\
**Tags:** 4-0, iae, ship-showdown, the-eradicator, salt-e-mike, roadmap, citizencon, rays-guide\
**Created:** [August 28, 2024, 11:00pm UTC](https://www.starzen.space/t/the-new-progress-tracker-and-4-0-citizencon-and-iae/20317 "2024-08-28T23:00:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![StarZenBot](https://www.starzen.space/user_avatar/www.starzen.space/starzenbot/32/4821_2.png) [@StarZenBot](https://www.starzen.space/u/StarZenBot)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2024, 11:00pm UTC](https://www.starzen.space/t/the-new-progress-tracker-and-4-0-citizencon-and-iae/20317/1 "2024-08-28T23:00:20Z")

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[![](https://www.starzen.space/uploads/default/original/3X/1/b/1bff4e710e2cea62827546a5c892172a4c208de5.jpeg "The new progress Tracker and 4.0, Citizencon, and IAE") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVsm_P7oXB4)

In the video, Danny Raymond discusses the return of the progress tracker for Star Citizen, clarifying that it measures the completion of work assignments rather than actual feature progress, and highlights the limitations of its representation due to organizational changes at Cloud Imperium Games. He also previews upcoming events like CitizenCon and the Intergalactic Aerospace Expo, speculating on ship releases and encouraging viewer participation in related giveaways.

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**Author:** ![StarZenBot](https://www.starzen.space/user_avatar/www.starzen.space/starzenbot/32/4821_2.png) [@StarZenBot](https://www.starzen.space/u/StarZenBot)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2024, 11:02pm UTC](https://www.starzen.space/t/the-new-progress-tracker-and-4-0-citizencon-and-iae/20317/3 "2024-08-28T23:02:28Z")

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In a recent video by Danny Raymond, the host of Rayes Guide, he discusses the return of the progress tracker in the bi-weekly roadmap roundup for the game Star Citizen. While he appreciates the return of this feature, he expresses mixed feelings due to the common misunderstandings surrounding its purpose. Raymond clarifies that the progress tracker does not actually track progress in the traditional sense; rather, it measures the completion of work assignments, which can be misleading. He emphasizes that the end of a progress bar does not necessarily indicate that a feature is complete, as it may simply reflect the conclusion of a work assignment without guaranteeing effectiveness or actual progress.

Raymond elaborates on the limitations of the new progress tracker, noting that it only shows the top-level category of management overseeing a feature rather than the specific teams working on it. He explains that this change was made due to organizational shifts within Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) after Squadron 42 transitioned from feature complete to polish. The need for more agile and problem-specific teams led to this restructuring, which complicates the representation of progress in a simple bar chart format. Unlike construction projects, where progress can be easily quantified, software development is inherently more variable and less predictable.

The video also highlights the significance of the timeline presented in the progress tracker. Raymond warns viewers that any bars extending to the end of December should not be interpreted as features expected to be completed by then; instead, they indicate the limits of CIG’s current planning. He explains that the completion dates in the tracker are more relevant for upcoming events like CitizenCon in late October and the Intergalactic Aerospace Expo (IAE) in mid-November. Features marked for completion in these months are expected to be showcased during these events.

In discussing the upcoming events, Raymond speculates on the ship releases expected at IAE, including the Polaris and Hornet Mark 2M, as well as several unannounced ships. He notes that tasks related to these ships may not necessarily mean they will be flyable immediately but could instead involve announcements or preparations for future releases. The anticipation surrounding these announcements suggests a busy and exciting IAE, with many developments in store for players.

Finally, Raymond concludes the video with updates about ship giveaways linked to the events. He mentions a special membership level for live coverage of CitizenCon, alongside regular giveaways for various ships. He encourages viewers to participate in these giveaways and provides a secret word for entry. Throughout the video, he maintains a tone of enthusiasm while urging players to stay engaged and informed about the evolving landscape of Star Citizen.

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**Author:** ![StarZenBot](https://www.starzen.space/user_avatar/www.starzen.space/starzenbot/32/4821_2.png) [@StarZenBot](https://www.starzen.space/u/StarZenBot)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2024, 11:02pm UTC](https://www.starzen.space/t/the-new-progress-tracker-and-4-0-citizencon-and-iae/20317/4 "2024-08-28T23:02:40Z")

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#salt-e-mike reacts:

[![](https://www.starzen.space/uploads/default/original/3X/9/7/971e3e203f9db37a011217b32e679dde07d9cc98.jpeg "SaltEMike Reacts to The new progress Tracker and 4.0, Citizencon, and IAE | Ray's Guide") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpIheUXpHtY)

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**Author:** ![StarZenBot](https://www.starzen.space/user_avatar/www.starzen.space/starzenbot/32/4821_2.png) [@StarZenBot](https://www.starzen.space/u/StarZenBot)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2024, 11:02pm UTC](https://www.starzen.space/t/the-new-progress-tracker-and-4-0-citizencon-and-iae/20317/6 "2024-08-28T23:02:40Z")

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In the recent video by Danny Raymond, the creator of Ray’s Guide, he discusses the newly reintroduced “progress tracker” in the Star Citizen roadmap, which has sparked mixed reactions among the community. He expresses frustration over the name “progress tracker,” arguing that it inaccurately conveys the tool’s purpose. The term suggests that it measures advancement toward completion, but in reality, it only indicates the status of work assignments, which may not necessarily correlate with actual progress on features. Raymond emphasizes that the end of a bar in the tracker does not guarantee that a feature is fully complete, as the work could be abandoned or deprioritized.

Raymond critiques the way the progress tracker has been presented, noting that it has evolved from showing team members working on features to merely displaying the top-level manager responsible for a feature. This change stems from a restructuring within the company, which has led to a more siloed approach to development. He explains that many tasks in game design are complex and require collaboration across various teams, making it difficult to represent progress accurately in a simplified format like a Gantt chart. Consequently, the tracker fails to provide a reliable measure of actual progress.

The video also highlights the limitations of the progress tracker, particularly in conveying the true state of development. Raymond points out that the tracker can only provide a rough idea of what the company intends to focus on, rather than concrete updates on feature completion. He criticizes the abundance of “windows” into the development process, such as the progress tracker, monthly reports, and roadmap updates, arguing that they do not offer sufficient clarity or assurance regarding the game’s progress. Instead, he believes players are left with uncertainty about when they can expect significant updates or gameplay content.

Raymond discusses the specific timelines associated with upcoming events, such as CitizenCon and the Intergalactic Aerospace Expo (IAE), suggesting that features marked for completion in October and November are likely to be showcased during these events. He emphasizes that while the tracker provides insight into what the developers hope to achieve, it does not guarantee that features will be ready for public release. This uncertainty extends to the highly anticipated 4.0 update, which he suspects may be tied to announcements at CitizenCon.

Ultimately, Raymond conveys a sense of frustration with the current state of communication from the developers and the reliance on tools like the progress tracker. He argues that many players are more interested in tangible gameplay experiences rather than tracking the development process through ambiguous updates. The overarching sentiment is a desire for more substantial progress and less emphasis on the behind-the-scenes workings, as the community eagerly awaits a playable version of the game that meets their expectations.

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**Author:** ![StarZenBot](https://www.starzen.space/user_avatar/www.starzen.space/starzenbot/32/4821_2.png) [@StarZenBot](https://www.starzen.space/u/StarZenBot)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2024, 11:02pm UTC](https://www.starzen.space/t/the-new-progress-tracker-and-4-0-citizencon-and-iae/20317/7 "2024-08-28T23:02:40Z")

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#the-eradicator reacts:

[![](https://www.starzen.space/uploads/default/original/3X/0/e/0e50de27e8e30a2d301198f53b7e1d342dac42a3.jpeg "Star Citizen - Is the Progress Tracker FAKE") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbhkFlKhJlg)

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**Author:** ![StarZenBot](https://www.starzen.space/user_avatar/www.starzen.space/starzenbot/32/4821_2.png) [@StarZenBot](https://www.starzen.space/u/StarZenBot)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2024, 11:02pm UTC](https://www.starzen.space/t/the-new-progress-tracker-and-4-0-citizencon-and-iae/20317/9 "2024-08-28T23:02:40Z")

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The video discusses the recent updates to the progress tracker and roadmap for the game Star Citizen, highlighting the mixed reactions from the community. The progress tracker was reintroduced, but many players and content creators feel it does not accurately reflect the actual progress being made on game features. The speaker emphasizes that the term “progress tracker” can be misleading, as it does not truly measure progress towards completion, but rather indicates work assignments and time allocations, which can often be subject to delays and changes.

The speaker, Daniel Raymond from Rays Guide, explains that the progress tracker has been misrepresented in the past. He clarifies that the completion of a task does not necessarily equate to the completion of a feature, as additional work may still be required. He points out that while the tracker provides insight into which teams are currently focused on specific features, it does not guarantee that those features will be completed within the expected timeframe.

Raymond further elaborates on the limitations of the progress tracker, noting that it resembles a Gantt chart typically used in construction, which may not be suitable for software development where tasks are more fluid and uncertain. The completion of tasks in game design can be difficult to quantify due to the inherent complexities and variations in the development process. He suggests that the tracker should be viewed as a rough indication of current focus rather than a definitive timeline for feature releases.

The video also touches on upcoming events like CitizenCon and the Intergalactic Aerospace Expo (IAE), with speculation about what features or ships might be showcased. The speaker indicates that certain tasks on the progress tracker are expected to be completed by the time of these events, hinting at potential announcements and new ship sales. However, he cautions that just because tasks are marked as complete does not mean they will be immediately available for players, as further testing and polishing are often required.

In conclusion, the video emphasizes the importance of understanding the progress tracker as a tool for gauging current development focus rather than a precise measure of completion. The speaker encourages viewers to manage their expectations regarding feature releases and upcoming events, suggesting that while there may be exciting announcements at CitizenCon and IAE, many features, including the much-anticipated 4.0 update, may still take considerable time to finalize.
