Star Citizen: Chris Robert`s new space sim (the Wing Commander guy)

[Stringjam]

Ugh. Zero ship selection in Holotable. I can't change anything.

EDIT: Changed my hangar and deleted my USER half a dozen times, and it works now.

The good news, the Vanguard seems to strafe a good bit better now.

Oh, and missiles are back. I spent half my time in BR tonight trying to dodge the things...unsuccessfully.

 

[Seba]

They changed the animation for when you enter in Aurora ships. It is faster now (it's like you almost jump inside).

Also, I like the new animation used when you fell on the ground and then get up (first time I saw this when someone fell from Constellation's elevator while the ship was taking off). I think that this is new (at least I never saw it before Alpha 2.3.0).

EVA re-entry bug is fixed for Aurora (I tested multiple times), but when exiting from Aurora in space, if you exit with "USE" (after opening the door), you are thrown away from your ship for at least 50 m (not much of a problem) and sometimes very far (80 km). If you exit from Aurora by walking (after opening the door), there are no problems.

If you are a criminal, Crusader Security ships (NPCs) can attack you even at Port Olisar. First time I saw ships firing there. It seems that the "criminal" can not fire back at them when in the Armistice Zone.

Crusader is much bigger now (the orbit of Port Olisar is about the same - if I remember correctly - so that means that the planet has a bigger diameter). Security Post Kareah is on the other side of Crusader as viewed from Port Olisar, so you can no longer QD there directly from Port Olisar. I think that this is a good change for beginners (so that their first jump does not happen to be at free for all zone around Kareah).

 

[mnewsham]

Well I decided to upgrade from the Constellation Taurus to the Aquila.

 

[Stringjam]

Well I decided to upgrade from the Constellation Taurus to the Aquila.

Can't wait until they give the Aquila its rework...no idea where it's at in the pipeline though. I think right now they're more interested in getting base models out and flyable, which is understandable. I just want to get my explore on.

 

[rivethead]

My 2.3 experience:

1) Code 8 error
2) Code 8 error
3) Code 8 error
4) Got in, pulled up my Aurora MR (best cockpit views of all the ships I own), flew to Yela, found a green flare, went to it, EVA'd out to it, got a Devestator shotgun, eva'd back. QD to Kareah (look out punks, I got me a shot gun). Once I got to Kareah.....freeze. Had to reboot to recover my computer.
5) Code 8 error
6) Ok, let's try some AC. Joined a OV match in an M50 ("22 laps" bug is still there). Race starts with only two participants (that's odd). The gates don't open (that's odd) - thank God I'm in an M50! Every time I approach gate 4 the announcer says I'm going the wrong way (that's odd). I never see the other racer the entire race. I hear the fireworks about 10 seconds before I finish the race. 2nd place. The final screen, however, lists me in first place with no other racers.....370 REC
7) Ok, let's try Crusader one more time....call up my Avenger....and freeze in the ship terminal room.

That was last night. Hopefully today will be better (going to delete my user folder and verify)

 

[Seba]

I just tried Battle Royale. It is unplayable. Not so much because of missiles, but because of teleporting ships. Vanduul Swarm Co-op works much better.

 

[Stringjam]

I just tried Battle Royale. It is unplayable. Not so much because of missiles, but because of teleporting ships. Vanduul Swarm Co-op works much better.

Yeah, the desync is real right now in BR. Some matches are better than others....managed to have a few really good games mixed in with some almost unplayable games.

And is it just me or did they buff the pirates in the PU? Seems like they're flying a lot better now. It's about time if they did....for those that played Pirate Swarm, we got a taste of what they can do with that AI, and what we're seeing currently in the PU is about 1/10th of that potential. Unleash the pirates Kythera!!

 

[mnewsham]

Can't wait until they give the Aquila its rework...no idea where it's at in the pipeline though. I think right now they're more interested in getting base models out and flyable, which is understandable. I just want to get my explore on.

Yeah I had upgraded from the Base freelancer to the Freelancer DUR, because I wanted to do exploring, then decided i wanted a ship with more players possible, so I upgraded to the Taurus, but I still wanted to be able to explore, so now i've finally upgraded to the Aquila.

 

[Stringjam]

Yeah I had upgraded from the Base freelancer to the Freelancer DUR, because I wanted to do exploring, then decided i wanted a ship with more players possible, so I upgraded to the Taurus, but I still wanted to be able to explore, so now i've finally upgraded to the Aquila.

I have a DUR, and after viewing that cockpit; ugh. I'm not going to explore in that thing.....you made the right move going to the Aquila.

I also have a Carrack, but I don't expect to see that thing until at least 4Q this year. I really hope they invest the time in the exploration mechanic, because ultimately that's what I want to do the most, and most of the RSI forum polls indicate the same from the community.

As much as I love to scoot around in BR and be a combat pilot, I really just want to jump out into the unknown and discover.

I also hope they offer an exploration module for the Redeemer. That ship has a great layout for exploring. Much better than the Connie even. I would definitely give up the troop bay and some guns for some deep space goodies.

 

[mnewsham]

I also have a Carrack

If there was an upgrade available I would have potentially done it...

 

[rivethead]

I gave 2.3 another go last night. Much different experience than previously. I got right in, no code 8 errors. I played almost 2 hours with no crashes.

I was able to:

1) Fly an M50 to Yela and find an energy rifle in a wreck
2) Fly that M50 to Kareah and hide it in the shadows
3) sneak around Kareah finally finding someone. That person had a pistol. That person lost as the rate of fire on my energy rifle was much faster than their pistol.
4) I was wounded and found medpacks, but despite pressing H, I never healed
5) went outside and discovered a SH taking off. I decided to take it on with my energy rifle. I discovered that a SH can one-shot a person with an energy rifle.
6) Called up an Avenger Titan. Flew it to a comm array needing repair. Took on pirates with the help (a LOT of help) from someone in a hornet. Reactivated comm array.
7) tried to skim the atmosphere of Crusader to find the pink gases that supposedly the Starfarer will refine into quantum fuel....never did find it.
8) back to Yela for salvage this time finding the sniper rifle
9) back to Karaeh...as I'm getting out of my Avenger someone destroys it....it was very cool to see the ship catch on fire around me as I'm exiting the rear...and I was able to do so just in time (the avenger never exploded...it went from a fire ball to wreck).
10) couldn't find anyone at Kareah to snipe so I wasted my ammo on a parked Avenger (not mine...mine was a wreck). It didn't do anything.
11) Well it did do one thing....attracted the attention of the owner who came out side just as I was out of ammo.....and killed me with a pistol.

All-in-all, not a bad experience. A few bugs, but progress is definitely being made. I just wish there was a bit more to do.

 

[Stringjam]

All-in-all, not a bad experience. A few bugs, but progress is definitely being made. I just wish there was a bit more to do.

I'm really hoping by the end of 2Q we have procedural planets and NPCs. Considering there aren't any mining ships even hangar ready, I wouldn't expect to see that for quite a while.

It would be nice if they would put up some kind of anomaly to explore as well.

 

[Seba]

I planned to wait for some discount on Thrustmaster T.16000M and get two of them. At full price, one would cost $66.5 (including VAT), so two at full price would be $133.

But I found a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro forgotten in a shop that mainly sells home appliances. The box was damaged and they said that I would get only 3 month warranty, but the joystick was only $22 (Logitech Extreme 3D Pro is normally being sold for $73 here, so for some reason is more expensive than Thrustmaster T.16000M). A used Logitech Extreme 3D Pro can be usually found at $25-$35.

I got it yesterday and played Star Citizen for a few hours. First I configured it as y-pitch/x-yaw/rotz-roll stick (for right hand). Then I wanted to see if it is usable as a left hand stick and I configured it for strafe forward/back on y, strafe left/right on x and roll (on twist - rotz). I have strafe up/down on my pedals. With my Xbox 360 controller precise strafe maneuvering was much better than with keyboard, but the joystick is at another level.

Also, the game immersion is greater when using a keyboard and joystick or a joystick and mouse instead of keyboard and mouse.

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro is not ideal as a left hand stick, but it is usable.

One negative aspect of Logitech Extreme 3D Pro (both when used right hand or left hand) is the stick resistance to movement, which I would like it to be lower (softer spring).

I think that I will order a Thrustmaster T.16000M much sooner than I planned. If it is considerably better (for aiming mostly) than Logitech Extreme 3D Pro, I'll use T.16000M as right hand stick for pitch/yaw (and maybe roll).

 

[Stringjam]

Also, the game immersion is greater when using a keyboard and joystick or a joystick and mouse instead of keyboard and mouse.

Makes all the difference, doesn't it? Just wait until you get another one - - with a hand on each stick and your feet on those pedals, it really FEELS like you're sitting in the cockpit.

This game came alive for me when I got sticks.

Try a lot of different mappings until you find one that really clicks. I like my forward / reverse strafe on the pedals, because to me it's just like driving a car (and I like to mash the gas).

I keep as much in-combat button pushing off of the primary pitch / yaw stick as possible - I just find that any button presses / twists while I'm tracking a target can affect my aim just a bit. I even have my main firing group on my strafe stick, which honestly helped me aim a good bit.

Not everybody is the same though - that's why there's so many different approaches to setting these up.

 

[Fallen Kell]

I planned to wait for some discount on Thrustmaster T.16000M and get two of them. At full price, one would cost $66.5 (including VAT), so two at full price would be $133.

That sucks. I think I bought one for $40-45 (it was why I didn't feel bad hacking it apart either... speaking of which I need to get back to finishing that stick up, it was just too cold working on it during the winter in the workshed).

 

[Stringjam]

Hey rivet - taken from the last subscriber's RtV. Looks like a small mining ship is in the works, and will likely be the next concept introduced:

• [Orion?] In a holding pattern. Concept work is done, waiting for technical assets to free up. They're thinking about it a lot cause they're working on a smaller mining ship. The Orion's the pinnacle, they're working on the first ship in the mining process.
• [What's the next concept sale?] It is the small mining ship.
• The Mining ship is another MISC

I'll be all over an entry-level mining ship!

 

[Seba]

Look now in your hangar and you will see a Starfarer (for a few days)!

 

[Stringjam]

Look now in your hangar and you will see a Starfarer (for a few days)!

PTU or LIVE?

 

[Seba]

Live.

 

[Stringjam]

Awesome! I've been wanting to check that thing out.

I have to admit, I'm starting to feel a bit of a hype train for 2.3 to 2.6. Sounds like some big changes coming.

• Persistence
• Beginning of customer characterization (8 male / 8 female / clothing, etc)
• Ship rigging switched to MobiGlas (won't need to enter hangar) and overall UI overhaul
• Flyable Starfarer with refuel mechanic
• Cargo hauling mechanic
• Possible planetside (I have my doubts by 2.6). After planetside the mining mechanic will be implemented.
• New patching system that significantly reduces patch sizes (some patches taking 30GB now will be as little as 7mb)
• New object updating system that should cut network load on servers / resolve some of the desync issue

I think it will be a big year for the PU as more and more gameplay mechanics (many of which rely on persistence) being added to the game.

 

[rivethead]

Hey rivet - taken from the last subscriber's RtV. Looks like a small mining ship is in the works, and will likely be the next concept introduced:

• [Orion?] In a holding pattern. Concept work is done, waiting for technical assets to free up. They're thinking about it a lot cause they're working on a smaller mining ship. The Orion's the pinnacle, they're working on the first ship in the mining process.
• [What's the next concept sale?] It is the small mining ship.
• The Mining ship is another MISC

I'll be all over an entry-level mining ship!

Yup. I read a rumor about this today on the forums. I will admit that another MISC ship was a bit surprising to me. My money was on an RSI or Anvil ship.

But I'm happy to see some entry-level non combat ships come online.

 

[Stringjam]

Checked out the Starfarer. Pretty cool to see a ship that huge. The Jefferies tubes are a very cool touch, especially when the mechanics of having to use them are in place.

It's crazy that this thing will actually be flying through the PU at some point, it's like a baby FPS level.

Ugh on that MISC cockpit though. Captain can't see squat. CIG...please don't use the MISC "slit" for the Endeavor.

 

[rivethead]

I spent an hour exploring the Starfarer. I got lost frequently. Can't believe how big a fuel truck is. And the attention to detail is amazing. The textures on some of the metal surfaces are very realistic. I was wow'd. And this was on low graphics settings.

This was also my first time in a R&Y hangar. People in those hangars are livin' large......

 

[TechBoyJK]

I'm going to have to login tonight and get in some play time.

The fiance and I bought a house, and we're moving Saturday. Well, most of the stuff Saturday. And since we're also doing some remodeling, it might be a little bit before I get everything set back up and going.

 

[Stringjam]

I think when the Starfarer becomes flyable in the PU, it's going to give us a good look at how these giant ships are going to be able to defend themselves - and I have a feeling, initially, it's going to be a pretty big issue.

I think these ships are going to have to have shields and armor that are almost unpenetrable by <S4 weapons. Even something as big as a Vanguard will be able to stay in an orbit out of the turret's line-of-site and maintain fire as long as it wants.

We already see this to some extent with the Connie and Retaliator - a good pilot in a SuperHornet can just run circles around these and maintain fire in relative safety - - with the Starfarer it's going to be that X10.

I think they're going to have to start considering multiple ways for large ships to defend themselves besides just a few turrets. I could see something like a disruptor / distortion generator that blasts in a complete radius around the ship. That would be very effective at keeping small attack vessels at a distance, where they would be much more susceptible to turret fire.