The video chronicles the collaborative effort of building two Age of Cidris capital ships in Star Citizen, detailing the complex crafting process, resource gathering challenges, and community teamwork involved in earning these high-value ships through gameplay rather than purchases. It also offers feedback on improving the crafting system for better balance and accessibility, while celebrating the rewarding multiplayer experience and camaraderie fostered throughout the project.
In this video, the creator shares the experience of building not one, but two Age of Cidris capital ships in Star Citizen, a massive community-driven project made possible through the Wiko’s Emporium Bart system introduced in patch 4.5. Emphasizing the collaborative nature of the effort, the creator thanks hundreds of players from the Frontier Consolidated and the wider community who contributed over a thousand hours to gather the necessary resources. The video breaks down the extensive and challenging crafting process, highlighting how the ships represent a significant achievement earned through gameplay rather than cash purchases, with an estimated real-life value of around $1,500 each.
The crafting requirements are complex, involving a wide variety of rare materials such as Wiccolo favors, mercenary guild scripts, pristine medals, quantanium, Polaris bits, caronite, Apex worm parts, and specialized components from missions like Project Hyperion. The video discusses the best methods to acquire these materials, including combat missions, mining runs, and trading within the community. The team also faced challenges such as bugs affecting medal drops and the need to adapt strategies, showcasing the depth and difficulty of the grind. The creator offers tips for smaller groups on how to efficiently gather resources like pure caronite and navigate contested areas.
A significant portion of the video is dedicated to the logistical challenges of assembling and handing in the materials at Wiklo station, including server stability concerns and the risk of losing items during the process. The creator shares anecdotes about the tension and excitement of hauling valuable cargo in open-world areas and the camaraderie that comes with multiplayer cooperation. The hand-in process itself went relatively smoothly, culminating in the successful completion of both ships and a celebratory multiplayer event featuring combat scenarios using the newly crafted Idris ships.
The creator provides constructive feedback on the crafting system, praising the overall difficulty and sense of accomplishment but pointing out areas for improvement. They highlight the cumbersome nature of material conversions, suggesting the addition of a more streamlined in-game shop terminal to handle crafting conversions more efficiently. The reliance on specific contested items like the DCHSO5 comp boards creates bottlenecks and can discourage smaller groups, leading to unbalanced gameplay dynamics. Suggestions include allowing more flexibility in required components and introducing conversion options to reduce choke points and better utilize surplus materials.
Finally, the video reflects on the balance of gameplay styles involved in the project, noting that the current recipe heavily favors combat and mining, with less emphasis on industrial roles like salvage. The creator hopes future crafting systems will better incorporate diverse gameplay elements to engage all player types. Despite the grind and challenges, the project fostered significant multiplayer interaction and community engagement, offering a rewarding experience for those who committed to the journey. The creator encourages viewers to share their own experiences and emphasizes the value of earning such achievements through teamwork rather than shortcuts.