How Many Planets Will Be in Star Citizen? A Deep Dive into the Game’s Universe
The question of how many planets Star Citizen will ultimately feature is a common one, and for good reason. This ambitious project aims to create a vast, living universe for players to explore. The sheer scale can be difficult to grasp, so let’s break down the answer and delve into the planetary details.
Currently, Star Citizen is projected to have over 90 star systems, and within those systems, players will find around 300 planets. This number, however, is just the beginning. It doesn’t fully account for the numerous moons, asteroid fields, and other celestial bodies that populate the game world. These extra elements vastly expand the areas players can explore, creating a truly massive universe.
Understanding the Scope of Star Citizen’s Planetary System
It’s crucial to understand that the game’s planetary scope goes well beyond just a count of worlds. Each planet in Star Citizen is designed to be unique, offering different environments, resources, and stories to uncover. The developers, Cloud Imperium Games, aim to create a detailed and immersive experience, where each planetary body feels distinct and holds a purpose within the larger game universe.
Unique Planetary Environments
The diversity of planets within Star Citizen is quite striking. Players can expect to encounter:
- Terrestrial worlds: Planets with atmospheres and solid surfaces, often home to bustling cities or untamed wilderness.
- Gas giants: Massive planets composed primarily of gases, offering unique exploration challenges.
- Ice giants: Cold, remote planets with unique atmospheric and surface characteristics.
- Desert planets: Arid worlds with harsh conditions and sparse resources.
- Oceanic worlds: Water-covered planets with unique underwater environments to explore.
- Volcanic worlds: Planets characterized by intense geological activity, presenting both danger and unique opportunities.
- Barren moons and asteroids: Smaller celestial bodies often rich in resources, but lacking atmosphere or significant habitation.
These varied environments mean that exploration is never stale. Each planet presents new challenges and opportunities, pushing players to adapt and discover.
Beyond the Count
It’s important to note that while the core number of planets is around 300, the total number of explorable areas is far greater. Moons orbiting planets, extensive asteroid fields, and space stations all contribute to the game’s explorable volume. It is this level of detail that sets Star Citizen apart. While the exact figure is constantly evolving as the game develops, the focus remains on a quality over quantity approach, making every planet significant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further clarify the planetary aspects of Star Citizen, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions.
1. How big is Star Citizen space?
The space in Star Citizen is vast, encompassing over 90 star systems and around 300 planets, plus numerous moons, asteroid fields, and other space structures. The exact size is hard to quantify, but the game world is immense, designed to provide a sense of vastness.
2. What planet was removed from Star Citizen?
Delamar, a moon-sized asteroid in the Nyx system, was temporarily used as a stand-in for Crusader in the Stanton system. It was later removed as the Orison location came close to its completion.
3. How many planets are in the Pyro System in Star Citizen?
The Pyro System contains six planets orbiting a variable type-K main sequence star, known for its unpredictable solar flares. These planets feature unique and dangerous environments as a result of the flares.
4. Is there Earth in Star Citizen?
Yes, Earth is present in Star Citizen. It is the capital planet and the namesake of the United Empire of Earth (UEE). It serves as the seat of power for the UEE, governing everything from rising systems to distant colonies.
5. How old is Star Citizen?
Star Citizen was announced in September 2012 and launched a successful Kickstarter campaign in October 2012. Pre-production began in 2010, with production officially starting in 2011. This has made the game more than a decade in development.
6. Can you walk in Star Citizen?
Yes, you can walk in Star Citizen. The game allows players to control their walking speed using the mouse wheel, with 15 incremental speeds, up to a fast jog.
7. What are the chances of Planet 9 existing?
Astronomers estimate that the likelihood of the strange orbits of certain celestial bodies occurring naturally, without the gravitational influence of a “Planet 9” type body, is between 0.02% and 0.04%. This is a very small likelihood.
8. What is the green planet in Star Citizen?
The green planet in Star Citizen is called Green (Ellis III). It is located in the Ellis system and is a warm oceanic world featuring high-end resorts and the famous Murray Cup race.
9. Can you go to other solar systems in Star Citizen?
Yes, interstellar travel in Star Citizen is achieved through jump points. These are stable wormholes connecting different star systems that form between massive gravity wells.
10. Can you lose your ship in Star Citizen?
Yes, it is possible to lose your ship. However, players can purchase in-game insurance policies that will allow them to replace their ships if they are destroyed or stolen.
11. What is the coldest planet in Star Citizen?
microTech (Stanton IV) is the coldest planet in Star Citizen. Due to its position as the outermost planet in the Stanton system, it is very far from the star and has an incredibly cold surface.
12. How many people play Star Citizen?
Current estimates put the daily player count for Star Citizen at 394,820, with a total player base of 20,780,012. This shows the strong community that supports the game.
13. Will Star Citizen ever be released?
Star Citizen has been in development for more than a decade, and currently, there is no projected date for its commercial release. The development process is continuous.
14. What planet should I start with in Star Citizen?
Many players recommend starting on Hurston, which is the innermost planet in the system. This makes traveling to other planets quicker as it is easier to exit its atmosphere. Lorville is the main city here and features a unique, industrial environment.
15. Can you get a house in Star Citizen?
Yes, you can obtain a homestead in Star Citizen. These can be built both inside or outside of land claims. However, there are drawbacks to not using a land claim, including the forfeiture of certain protections.