How Much Can You Do in Star Citizen?
A simple answer: A staggering amount, and that amount grows with each passing patch. Star Citizen is an ambitious, perpetually evolving project, and while it’s not a “finished” game, it offers a diverse and expanding galaxy of activities. From piloting a vast array of ships and engaging in intense space combat to exploring planets and moons, trading commodities, and undertaking diverse missions, the game provides a unique blend of simulation, action, and role-playing. The depth and breadth of gameplay are constantly expanding, making it both exciting and sometimes overwhelming for newcomers.
Exploring the Core Gameplay Loops
Star Citizen centers around several core gameplay loops, which are interconnected and often overlap, creating a dynamic and emergent experience. Understanding these loops is key to appreciating the scope of what you can do in the game.
Trading and Cargo Hauling
One of the most straightforward, yet potentially lucrative, activities is trading and cargo hauling. Players can purchase goods at one location and transport them to another, taking advantage of supply and demand to make a profit. This involves planning routes, managing fuel, and protecting your cargo from pirates. Different ships are suited for different types of cargo, ranging from small, fast transports to massive freighters capable of hauling enormous quantities of goods.
Mining and Resource Gathering
For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, mining is a viable career path. Players can use specialized ships and equipment to extract valuable minerals from asteroids and planetary surfaces. This requires skill and precision, as well as the ability to identify profitable deposits. Mining can be a solitary pursuit or a collaborative effort, with players working together to maximize their yields.
Combat and Bounty Hunting
Combat is a central element of Star Citizen. Players can engage in dogfights in space, participate in ground combat, and undertake bounty hunting missions. The game features a wide variety of weapons and ships, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Bounty hunting involves tracking down and eliminating criminals, earning rewards for your efforts.
Exploration and Discovery
The vastness of Star Citizen’s universe invites exploration. Players can venture into uncharted territories, discover new locations, and uncover hidden secrets. This can involve scanning planets for resources, mapping out routes through asteroid fields, and investigating abandoned settlements. Exploration rewards curiosity and offers the potential for unique discoveries.
Service Beacons and Emergency Missions
Players can respond to service beacons, offering assistance to other players in need. This can involve providing medical aid, repairing damaged ships, or even rescuing stranded pilots. These missions are a great way to earn reputation and gain valuable experience.
FPS Combat and Missions
Star Citizen features extensive first-person shooter (FPS) gameplay on planets, space stations, and derelict ships. Players can undertake missions that involve infiltrating facilities, eliminating targets, or securing valuable assets. This provides a more personal and visceral combat experience.
The Ever-Evolving Universe
It’s crucial to understand that Star Citizen is in active development. New features, ships, and locations are constantly being added, and existing systems are regularly updated and improved. This means that the amount you can do in the game is continuously expanding. New gameplay loops are in development too, such as salvage and ship repair.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Star Citizen Pay-to-Win?
While buying ships provides an initial advantage, Star Citizen is not strictly pay-to-win. Skill, teamwork, and strategy are essential for success. Players can earn ships and equipment through gameplay, albeit at a slower pace than those who purchase them directly.
2. What are the minimum PC specs to run Star Citizen?
Star Citizen is a demanding game. A powerful PC is required for a smooth experience. As a general guideline, aim for at least 16GB of RAM, a dedicated SSD, and a mid-to-high-end graphics card (e.g., Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580). Check the official website for updated specifications.
3. How much does Star Citizen cost?
The cost of Star Citizen varies. You need to purchase a starter pack to access the game, which includes a basic ship and access to the persistent universe. Starter packs range in price. Additional ships and items can be purchased, but are not necessary to enjoy the game.
4. Can I play Star Citizen solo?
Yes, Star Citizen can be played solo. Many activities, such as trading, mining, and exploration, can be undertaken independently. However, some missions and activities are more easily accomplished with a group.
5. What is the difference between the Alpha and Beta?
Currently, Star Citizen is in Alpha. This signifies that the game is in active development and subject to significant changes and improvements. A Beta phase typically indicates a more polished and stable version, closer to a final release. There is no firm date set for Beta.
6. How do I earn money in Star Citizen?
There are numerous ways to earn money (aUEC) in Star Citizen, including trading, mining, bounty hunting, completing missions, and selling resources. The most efficient method depends on your skills, ship, and the current state of the game economy.
7. What is the “Persistent Universe” (PU)?
The Persistent Universe (PU) is the main open-world component of Star Citizen. It’s a vast, dynamic, and evolving universe where players can interact, complete missions, and build their own careers.
8. What is Squadron 42?
Squadron 42 is a separate, single-player campaign set within the Star Citizen universe. It features a star-studded cast and tells a compelling story of military service and interstellar conflict. It’s a standalone game purchased separately.
9. How often is Star Citizen updated?
Star Citizen is updated frequently, typically with quarterly “patches” (e.g., 3.18, 3.19). These patches introduce new features, ships, locations, and bug fixes. Smaller hotfixes are released as needed.
10. What are Organizations in Star Citizen?
Organizations are player-run groups similar to guilds or clans. They allow players to collaborate, share resources, and coordinate activities. Joining an organization can enhance the social and gameplay experience.
11. How does insurance work in Star Citizen?
Insurance covers the loss of your ship and/or its cargo. If your ship is destroyed, insurance will replace it. Different types of insurance offer varying levels of coverage. Insurance must be renewed periodically.
12. What is “Reputation” and why is it important?
Reputation tracks your standing with different factions and organizations within the game. High reputation unlocks access to better missions, rewards, and discounts. Low reputation can result in penalties and restricted access.
13. How do I claim a ship that has been destroyed?
If your ship is insured, you can claim it at a designated insurance terminal located at major landing zones. The claim process takes time, depending on the type of insurance you have.
14. What is the “Verse”?
“Verse” is a general term used by the community and developers to refer to the Star Citizen universe.
15. Is Star Citizen worth playing now, even though it’s not finished?
Whether Star Citizen is “worth playing” is subjective. If you enjoy sandbox games, space simulations, and are willing to tolerate bugs and incomplete features, you may find the game engaging and rewarding. However, if you prefer polished, feature-complete experiences, you may want to wait until the game is further along in development. The current gameplay experiences are already quite impressive for an Alpha game and provide hundreds if not thousands of hours of content to explore.