If you have not yet played the massive multiplayer space trading and combat game Star Citizen, developed and published by Cloud Imperium Games for PC, you may be interested in a new video published by the team over at Digital Foundry. This video provides a personal introduction of what you can expect from the game by Alex Battaglia.
Star Citizen was announced in 2012 as a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to be a spiritual successor to Robert’s previous games, the Wing Commander series and Freelancer. The initial estimated target release date was said to be 2014, and has since been delayed repeatedly as the game grew in scale. In March 2017, CIG announced Star Citizen would eventually use the Vulkan API and drop support for the DirectX 12 API to support Linux and pre-Windows 10 users.
The Development Journey
The development journey of Star Citizen has been nothing short of extraordinary. Initially, the game was envisioned as a relatively modest project, but as more backers pledged their support, the scope of the game expanded dramatically. The game has raised over $300 million from backers, making it one of the most successful crowdfunding projects of all time. This funding has allowed Cloud Imperium Games to push the boundaries of what is possible in a space simulation game.
One of the most ambitious aspects of Star Citizen is its persistent universe, which aims to create a living, breathing galaxy where players can explore, trade, and engage in combat. The game features a wide variety of ships, each with its own unique characteristics and capabilities. Players can customize their ships with different weapons, shields, and other equipment to suit their playstyle.
Gameplay and Features
Star Citizen offers a rich and immersive gameplay experience. The game is divided into several modules, each focusing on different aspects of the game. The Persistent Universe (PU) is the main module where players can explore the galaxy, complete missions, and interact with other players. The Arena Commander module allows players to engage in space combat simulations, while the Star Marine module focuses on first-person shooter gameplay.
One of the standout features of Star Citizen is its attention to detail. The game’s developers have gone to great lengths to create a realistic and immersive experience. For example, the game’s ships are designed with realistic physics and mechanics, and players must manage their ship’s systems, such as power distribution and fuel consumption. The game’s planets and moons are also procedurally generated, meaning that each one is unique and offers different challenges and opportunities.
“Alex Battaglia presents a very personal take on a potentially phenomenal game. Star Citizen has already been in development for years, and it’s still far from complete. But what Cloud Imperium has achieved is already quite phenomenal. This is one potential vision for next-gen gaming, and a PC exclusive to boot – here’s our first look at a remarkable game.”
The game’s development has not been without controversy. Some backers have expressed frustration with the slow pace of development and the frequent delays. However, others appreciate the developers’ commitment to creating a high-quality game and are willing to wait for the final product. Cloud Imperium Games has been transparent about the development process, regularly releasing updates and communicating with the community.
In conclusion, Star Citizen is an ambitious and groundbreaking project that aims to redefine the space simulation genre. While the game is still in development and has faced numerous challenges, the progress made so far is impressive. For those interested in space exploration, trading, and combat, Star Citizen offers a glimpse into the future of gaming. Whether you are a long-time backer or a newcomer, there is much to look forward to in this ever-evolving universe.
Source: Digital Foundry
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