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

[rivethead]

I don't get all this Star Citizen hate.

If they fail, so what? At least they tried (and without some big publisher influencing them).

The attempt to make something this massive (this way) is something that 99.9% of developers/publishers/etc. out there haven't tried.

The attempt alone deserves respect.

 

[SLU Aequitas]

Colonel - LTI looks like it's the same as the earlier alpha access so i'm set:

Yep, same package as me, so you're set. 🙂

I don't get all this Star Citizen hate.

If they fail, so what? At least they tried (and without some big publisher influencing them).

The attempt to make something this massive (this way) is something that 99.9% of developers/publishers/etc. out there haven't tried.

The attempt alone deserves respect.

They've helped revive one of my favorite genres. They've also shown tangible progress in Boston. This isn't vaporware and they've been extremely open about their development process and have actively engaged the community.

Haters gonna hate, trolls gonna be trolls. Luckily, the vast, vast majority of us citizens are happy with CR & Co, as evidenced by >$44M of funding.

 

[vshah]

i am perfectly happy for them to take as long as it takes. that's why I funded, so they could make those decisions themselves.

 

[mizzou]

I heard Star Citizen already came out and you all already played it...IN THE FUTURE! That's right, you just paid for a future game of enjoyment IN THE FUTURE! Did you like it? You damn right you did. Your future self thanks you for your donation.

 

[ToySoldier]

Seeing that the dogfighting alpha is almost released, I want to get access to that module. What would be the cheapest package that lets me play the whole game on release as well as have beta access and access to the dogfighting alpha?

Cheapest is the $40 Aurora MR+ Game Package. But for $5 more you get some more bang for the buck by going for the $45 Aurora LN package. Star Citizen no longer offers unlimited free Alpha unless you buy a ship off the grey market (eBay via gifting in SC). This $45 package will lock you in (as of today) for unlimited Beta play.

Other than buying an Alpha access ship off the grey market, you can buy the $5 'Alpha' Arena Commander Pass.

The Squadron 42 Digital Download alone is worth the $45 never mind the other stuff.

 

[ToySoldier]

i am perfectly happy for them to take as long as it takes. that's why I funded, so they could make those decisions themselves.

+1. I have ZERO desire to take the place of the publishers.
.
.
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[BrightCandle]

The delays I feel are indicative of the increased funding. They have a few things that are driving up the development time from the original module expections:
- They have added team members, and the Mythical man month tells us that adding new members to a team initially slows it down not speeds it up. They are likely spending a lot of time teaching the new guys how things work and the increased structure for the bigger teams is causing more overhead and office politics. Its simply the negative effect of getting bigger, big development teams are a lot less efficient than smaller ones and they tend to care about their customers opinion less.
- The scope of the module has expanded due to the increase in ships and qualities and features in the game now promised etc etc. The combat module simply has to do more now its a $45mil game instead of a $5mil game. The expectations on its quality are dramatically higher.

But I think we are right to be a little concerned that while they are talking about the game more and more in the process we are getting less and less actual working code. They have dedicated themselves to open an open feedback driven development system but then they go and cut off new investors from participating in Alpha, they delay the combat module many months because they weren't happy with it even though players might have different concerns, concerns we will only soon be able to voice but they should have had that feedback months ago. This isn't a good trend and I say that as one of the early investors. All the videos in the world don't make up for working code in players hands.

 

[ToySoldier]

They have dedicated themselves to open an open feedback driven development system but then they go and cut off new investors from participating in Alpha

Not exactly, assuming you get a minimal 'ship package', you can purchase the ACB and once the initial Alpha backers are in the system... the ACBs are allowed in.

The Arena Commander badge:
gives new backers access to Star Citizen’s dog fighting alpha. Be one of the first to get into space: pick up this badge to get early access to Star Citizen’s immersive space combat action!
Please note that this badge purchase is not necessary if you already own a Star Citizen package which includes alpha access. The Arena Commander badge will grant access to the module immediately after it has been made available to alpha backers.

Click here to learn more about Alpha Slots and Passes

Note : you NEED to have a game package in your account if you want to use this pass to launch the module.

 

[ToySoldier]

I don't get all this Star Citizen hate.

The attempt alone deserves respect.

Yup... I agree:

 

[Fallen Kell]

The caption should be "This is bullshit"....

 

[norseamd]

Cheapest is the $40 Aurora MR+ Game Package. But for $5 more you get some more bang for the buck by going for the $45 Aurora LN package. Star Citizen no longer offers unlimited free Alpha unless you buy a ship off the grey market (eBay via gifting in SC). This $45 package will lock you in (as of today) for unlimited Beta play.

Other than buying an Alpha access ship off the grey market, you can buy the $5 'Alpha' Arena Commander Pass.

The Squadron 42 Digital Download alone is worth the $45 never mind the other stuff.

this is the package i have thought about buying with the $5 alpha arena commander pass

 

[Markbnj]

I don't get all this Star Citizen hate.

If they fail, so what? At least they tried (and without some big publisher influencing them).

The attempt to make something this massive (this way) is something that 99.9% of developers/publishers/etc. out there haven't tried.

The attempt alone deserves respect.

I have no hate for it at all. In fact I am guaranteed to buy it at almost any reasonable price point the moment it is available. I don't wish to be an investor, but I also have no issues with those who do. I do have a certain skepticism for second acts from aging gaming rock stars, but we'll see.

 

[Subyman]

They can take all the time they need. Last thing I want is for them to be pressed to rush out a half-ass piece of crap like most publishers urge their developers to do. I'm very much looking forward to a playable alpha where we can start giving feedback on the game. I worry about their overhead. They are running a large operation now and they better have a good accounts man otherwise they can easily piss all the money away without ever hitting the finish line.

 

[ToySoldier]

I worry about their overhead. They are running a large operation now and they better have a good accounts man otherwise they can easily piss all the money away without ever hitting the finish line.

I wouldn't worry. SC is pulling in $1,000,000 every few weeks. It will hit $45,000,000 by next Sunday.

 

[rivethead]

this is the package i have thought about buying with the $5 alpha arena commander pass

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on that Aurora LN package this weekend. A highly unusual move for me because: 1) I don't play multiplayer games, and 2) I typically wait 1-2 years after a game is out before buying/playing it.

But I spent some time on the RSI website and the more pages I read, the more videos I watched, the more I became a believer in their vision. Maybe I got caught up in the hype.....

I will say this: the learning curve on this game is going to be steep. Maybe too steep if they're not careful. There's already an insane amount of ships/engine/shield/weaponry combinations. It's a bit overwhelming. But also exciting.

I downloaded and ran the "Hangar Module". Wish I wouldn't have. It's a huge tease. Kinda like ripping open the corner of a Christmas present, knowing what's inside, but having to wait another week before getting to opening it completely (but in this case another week is probably months).

I was surprised that it ran very smoothly on my 4GB of RAM (they say the minimum is 8GB but I gave it a shot anyway).

Anyway I spent my $49 (I had to pay about $4 in tax....guessing it's because they have an Austin, TX office and I'm in Austin). I'm in. If Squadron 42 provides the entertainment I think it will, the money will be well-spent. If Star Citizen become the next great franchise I think it could be, then that's icing on the cake.

 

[ToySoldier]

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on that Aurora LN package this weekend. A highly unusual move for me because: 1) I don't play multiplayer games, and 2) I typically wait 1-2 years after a game is out before buying/playing it.

Welcome to 'Verse Citizen. Dont forget your towel and check out 'Operation Pitchfork' 😉

I was going to wait too but then I read about 'Permadeath' in SC. I was like... uuhh... I better get my skills honed up a bit before I throw my main character in the 'Final Release Verse.'

 

[Fallen Kell]

Welcome to 'Verse Citizen. Dont forget your towel and check out 'Operation Pitchfork' 😉

I was going to wait too but then I read about 'Permadeath' in SC. I was like... uuhh... I better get my skills honed up a bit before I throw my main character in the 'Final Release Verse.'

Don't worry about perma-death. Your character doesn't gain experience or bonuses the longer he is alive, just some reputation/affiliation boosts with certain factions. I think right now the only benefit is citizenship, but they are also looking at ways to deal with that too (i.e. if you ran through Squad 42 and completed it earning citizenship, your sons and daughters automatically are granted citizenship, but they could renounce it as well, and the same may hold with some of the faction affiliations).

 

[ToySoldier]

Don't worry about perma-death.

I understand what you are getting at, but it is more about principal for me. Keeping the same guy alive as long as possible.

If your character discovers something major in the game like finding the Hadesian Artifact, it wont hold the same weight. Bragging rights... ALL about bragging rights. How MANY of your kindred have been killed? 😉

 

[Artorias]

So is this a Freelancer 2.0? I ask because I want a solid single player game with a good story and economy. The multiplayer aspect of the game is something that comes afterwards for me.

I haven't heard a lot about the story, characters etc and I hope it doesn't turn out to be some instantly forgettable 10 hour story. I'm not sure if the multiplayer is the real draw with this game.

I guess that's part of my concern with this game, from graphics, gameplay, persistent multiplayer universe, story etc.. they want to do so many things and maybe it all ends up being mediocre in all areas.

 

[rivethead]

I guess that's part of my concern with this game, from graphics, gameplay, persistent multiplayer universe, story etc.. they want to do so many things and maybe it all ends up being mediocre in all areas.

That's definitely a concern of mine.

 

[BoberFett]

I have no hate for it at all. In fact I am guaranteed to buy it at almost any reasonable price point the moment it is available. I don't wish to be an investor, but I also have no issues with those who do. I do have a certain skepticism for second acts from aging gaming rock stars, but we'll see.

What is John Romero up to these days, anyway? 😉

 

[irishScott]

So is this a Freelancer 2.0? I ask because I want a solid single player game with a good story and economy. The multiplayer aspect of the game is something that comes afterwards for me.

I haven't heard a lot about the story, characters etc and I hope it doesn't turn out to be some instantly forgettable 10 hour story. I'm not sure if the multiplayer is the real draw with this game.

I guess that's part of my concern with this game, from graphics, gameplay, persistent multiplayer universe, story etc.. they want to do so many things and maybe it all ends up being mediocre in all areas.

Hate to say it, but the multiplayer is what most people are backing for and is by far the more complex part of the game, so I imagine it'll receive top priority.

In any case, they've got the budget to do everything they want to do, Squadron 42 included. I'm confident.

 

[SithSolo1]

So is this a Freelancer 2.0? I ask because I want a solid single player game with a good story and economy. The multiplayer aspect of the game is something that comes afterwards for me.

I haven't heard a lot about the story, characters etc and I hope it doesn't turn out to be some instantly forgettable 10 hour story. I'm not sure if the multiplayer is the real draw with this game.

I guess that's part of my concern with this game, from graphics, gameplay, persistent multiplayer universe, story etc.. they want to do so many things and maybe it all ends up being mediocre in all areas.

There are two game components to the single/multi-ship game packages. Star Citizen(Player Universe) and Squadron 42. Star Citizen(PU) is the mass multi-player component and is the thing I and many other people were drawn to when the kickstarter was launched. Think of it as a hyper-expanded version of Freelancer with high fidelity graphics, more and larger systems, much more economic depth, and greatly enhanced flight and combat mechanics. I don't believe it will have one main story arc but multiple smaller story lines.

Squadron 42 will be the story driven single-player component. Its is currently being developed in the UK branch(Foundry 42) by Chris' brother Erin. Development started after Star Citizen but it will be released first, probably 1H 2015. It will be akin to the original Wing Commander and focus on a military central, multi-branching story line. They plan to expand on the story over time with additional mission disks(story expansion packs). Original and Veteran backers were able to get the first mission disk free.


If anyone spots any errors in my info, feel free to correct it. I don't follow development as religiously as some people. 😉

 

[Markbnj]

What is John Romero up to these days, anyway? 😉

Or Chris Crawford? How about Wil Wright?

 

[SithSolo1]

Arena Commander appears to be live, get it while its hot.


Oh yeah, the first wave of LTI package ship swaps is also available in the Add-Ons section of the pledge store Cross-Chassis Upgrades.

Currently allowing Aurora to 300i/Hornet and 300i to Hornet swaps while maintaining LTI. Note that only the ship is swapped, all included package content including starting funds and hanger remains the same. If you wish to have a variant of the new hull you need to buy the additional upgrade from the Ship Upgrades section of the store and apply it to the ship. Assume more ship transition options will be added as more ships are introduced into the Arena Commander module.