******Official Star Citizen / Squadron 42 Thread******

[PaulC2K]

yeah to be honest Manners14 - I tried the free-play weekend and I couldn't find much to do - but I was obviously missing something

the multi-player terrible frame rates put me off too - can't stand sub 30 fps

When you tried it, did you know what to do before going in? cos i can imagine if you dont know much and just get into a ship, and then fly around, its going to feel pretty pointless, but if you've found the quantum drive, theres a reasonable amount to just go look at, but there isnt a structured game in there, no 'do this, now go here, ok go kill this guy...' its still sandboxy and obviously only using the stuff thats implemented currently.
Theres no element of hand holding yet, i can imagine that being added around easter though if SQ42 is out, cos that will need an element of guided tutorial.


I think at the moment, if you're following SC, theres a LOT more to see than if you're not following it. If your eager to see the new things, you'll spend a fair amount of time going to them and looking closely at everything, because you want to see it. If your trying to decide whether to buy it, is it stable, is it real, then theres not much interest in the small details, you dont care about a new clothes shop, about finding certain things, you're looking for something to entertain you and convince you to open that wallet. If it doesnt wow you with the reality of what its doing all around you, and what the future holds, then the game certainly isnt inviting by making you figure it out for yourself. Its not being a d..k, it just lacks that module just as it lacks things like cargo. Its understandable if it doesnt really sell itself. The people on the server, if asked, they'll answer Qs and show you some of the cool stuff etc.

 

[atpbx]

All the major planets like Earth and Terra, it seems hard to believe we'll be able to enter its atmosphere and land wherever we please, they cant possibly deliver Earth for example. We know Earth will have at least 4 landing locations, New York, Shanghai, Moscow, and years back they said there'd be a 4th but we've never had it confirmed as to where that'd be. I'd imagine it'll be European, somewhere iconic, and personally i think Paris would be the easiest, keep the Eiffel tower and modernise the rest. NYC will be obvious just doing landing approach, Paris would have the tower. London doesnt have anything huge, its got plenty of sights to see, but they're not going to recreate large parts of cities and their landmarks for the landing zones.
Outside of the 4 landing areas, i think they'll have to be off-limits. The lesser inhabited planets will be accessible though, whether that includes places like ArcCorp far away from their built up areas, i dunno.


I bought the UEE Explorer pack last night, was able to hold onto a Sabre for funsies too, i'd forgot to account for some $20 CCU's i'd stockpiled, so it'll mean that after CCUing the Terrapin to an Orion, i'll still have $70 available, not $5 as expected. I was sure it was more like $50, i'd only counted the melt value of standalone ships. It means i can upgrade the Dragonfly or Delta to something later on. Turning the Delta into a Prospector, for example (would need to melt a $5 flair item).


Also, on the off chance that anyone else is signing up for an account to buy a package, im 1 referral away from getting the buggy & fish tank, its been taunting me at 4 referrals for at least 4 months now, and im too tight to buy either of them
Referral Link - STAR-G7WP-29QV
Of course, then i'll have to buy fish

In a world where im buying digital space ships, im drawing a line at digital fishtanks!
In fact, if theres no referral by the end of next week.... im buying the fish and letting them flap about on the hangar floor!

The Explorer pack really is good value in Star Citizen terms.

Carrack $350
Game pack $45
Credits $20
Dragon fly $35

Total $450

You then add the Terrapin in and it works out you get it for something like $45, giving you the pack value of $495.
Which is a lot closer to what the ship is actually worth, as opposed to the $195 they are selling it for on its own.

 

[Buckster]

When you tried it, did you know what to do before going in? cos i can imagine if you dont know much and just get into a ship, and then fly around, its going to feel pretty pointless, but if you've found the quantum drive, theres a reasonable amount to just go look at, but there isnt a structured game in there, no 'do this, now go here, ok go kill this guy...' its still sandboxy and obviously only using the stuff thats implemented currently.
Theres no element of hand holding yet, i can imagine that being added around easter though if SQ42 is out, cos that will need an element of guided tutorial.


I think at the moment, if you're following SC, theres a LOT more to see than if you're not following it. If your eager to see the new things, you'll spend a fair amount of time going to them and looking closely at everything, because you want to see it. If your trying to decide whether to buy it, is it stable, is it real, then theres not much interest in the small details, you dont care about a new clothes shop, about finding certain things, you're looking for something to entertain you and convince you to open that wallet. If it doesnt wow you with the reality of what its doing all around you, and what the future holds, then the game certainly isnt inviting by making you figure it out for yourself. Its not being a d..k, it just lacks that module just as it lacks things like cargo. Its understandable if it doesnt really sell itself. The people on the server, if asked, they'll answer Qs and show you some of the cool stuff etc.

I'm all for Early Access Games, some of the most gameplay on the PC is on games like Subnautica etc - but in those games there is loads of stuff to do - and substantial new content gets added very quickly and often

I was quite happy to drop £50 on this game- but from my short play it just felt like a technical demo - loads of potential granted

the thing that puts me off most though - is how acccessible more expensive ships will be on release - ie will you be able to "grind" you way to get them - or will it be near impossible without spending money ?

surely if you can progress your way through then those who have paid 100s now will feel aggrieved ?

I'm a huge simmer, and find it just about justifiable to spend money on say DCS "new aircraft" - but I find it near unbelievable people are spending 100s on ships in this game - and that seriously puts me off

https://forums.robertsspaceindustries.com/discussion/342854/how-much-have-you-spent

 

[SS-89]

I'm all for Early Access Games, some of the most gameplay on the PC is on games like Subnautica etc - but in those games there is loads of stuff to do - and substantial new content gets added very quickly and often

I was quite happy to drop £50 on this game- but from my short play it just felt like a technical demo - loads of potential granted

the thing that puts me off most though - is how acccessible more expensive ships will be on release - ie will you be able to "grind" you way to get them - or will it be near impossible without spending money ?

surely if you can progress your way through then those who have paid 100s now will feel aggrieved ?

I'm a huge simmer, and find it just about justifiable to spend money on say DCS "new aircraft" - but I find it near unbelievable people are spending 100s on ships in this game - and that seriously puts me off

https://forums.robertsspaceindustries.com/discussion/342854/how-much-have-you-spent

Some of the larger ships will require orgs to run and therefore won't be soloable (or if you fill them out with NPC's will be prohibitively expensive to run solo).

Yes every ship is achievable, some will require pooling resources in order to purchase (idris and Javelin) and some will be perfectly achievable solo. Ultimately this is an MMO and does encourage working with other players when it comes to the larger ships.

Why does it bother you what other people have contributed? Most have contributed a significant amount because this is something they want to see succeed. The ships are a by-product of their pledge and the majority are fully aware of that.

 

[atpbx]

I'm all for Early Access Games, some of the most gameplay on the PC is on games like Subnautica etc - but in those games there is loads of stuff to do - and substantial new content gets added very quickly and often

I was quite happy to drop £50 on this game- but from my short play it just felt like a technical demo - loads of potential granted

the thing that puts me off most though - is how acccessible more expensive ships will be on release - ie will you be able to "grind" you way to get them - or will it be near impossible without spending money ?

surely if you can progress your way through then those who have paid 100s now will feel aggrieved ?

I'm a huge simmer, and find it just about justifiable to spend money on say DCS "new aircraft" - but I find it near unbelievable people are spending 100s on ships in this game - and that seriously puts me off

https://forums.robertsspaceindustries.com/discussion/342854/how-much-have-you-spent

The confusion comes from people not understanding this a game just like Elite in the ship progression aspect of it.
Its JUST a normal computer game, being crowd funded, and different levels of contribution reward with different levels of ship as a thank you, its that simple.

If you buy the game for £40 or what ever it costs, its just like buying elite or any other game, you will start with a little ship, play the game, earn money, buy a bigger ship and so on and so forth.

Its like, the least complicated proposition you will ever be faced with.

Also, this isn't an early access game, its alpha testing.

Its almost as if all this has been covered thousands of times before, in incredible detail.

 

[Sega Mega Dave]

I think what a lot of people who are sceptical about this game don't realise that unlike other mmos there is no end goal. No levelling which makes you more powerful.

I have seen entry level ships happily dog fight with multi crew ships costing considerably more because the guy with the deep wallet is playing solo.

Someone may drop thousands on ships and he may happily fly around in his Idris but unless he's got an army of team mates helping him he's going be easy pickings for s semi organised guild.

Personally I love the idea of everyone been in different ships doing different things on release date compared to thousands of omegas and auroras floating around.

 

[FloppyPoppy]

So, in 2013 i sold my connie to someone on the Members market as i very quickly gave up on C.Roberts as i thought he was having us all over due to the absolute lack of progress or communication ( at that time ) however i have recently bought an aurora mr just so i could get into the game and see how it's progressing as i was very intrigued by what i was seeing.

Needless to say i now deeply regret my sale of the connie and wish she was still in my possession. Everything that is available at the moment just grabs me i love every part of it simply down to the serious levels of fine detail.

Having a lot of fun and a hard old time figuring everything out .

been running some repair missions and ICC missions to earn a bit of auec

 

[d_brennen]

I binge-watched a load of game play videos this morning. Haven't backed but hopeful for this game. Can't help thinking they picked the wrong engine to begin with though

 

[SS-89]

So, in 2013 i sold my connie to someone on the Members market as i very quickly gave up on C.Roberts as i thought he was having us all over due to the absolute lack of progress or communication ( at that time ) however i have recently bought an aurora mr just so i could get into the game and see how it's progressing as i was very intrigued by what i was seeing.

Needless to say i now deeply regret my sale of the connie and wish she was still in my possession. Everything that is available at the moment just grabs me i love every part of it simply down to the serious levels of fine detail.

Having a lot of fun and a hard old time figuring everything out .

been running some repair missions and ICC missions to earn a bit of auec

Feel free to jump on with us at pagan-sc.com

We are hopefully having a session tonight.

 

[Snaggle]

can someone clarify you have to buy the base game and monthly sub ?

 

[Marky]

Can't help thinking they picked the wrong engine to begin with though

Yeah I've also thought that for a while - I hope they know how to optimise it for a large playerbase

 

[humbug]

Yeah I've also thought that for a while - I hope they know how to optimise it for a large playerbase

These guys are some of the best in the industry, they are not stupid, they know what they are doing

 

[SS-89]

can someone clarify you have to buy the base game and monthly sub ?

Three types of package, either Squadron 42 only which gets you the single player campaign, Star citizen only which gets you the MMO section only or the Squadron 42 + Star Citizen package which gets the SP game and Star Citizen MMO. No monthly subscription is required.

Squadron 42 Single Player game only: https://robertsspaceindustries.com/pledge/Packages/Squadron-42-Standalone-Pledge

Star Citizen only: https://robertsspaceindustries.com/pledge/Packages/Mustang-Alpha-SC-Starter

Star Citizen and SQ42: https://robertsspaceindustries.com/pledge/Packages/Mustang-Alpha-Star-Citizen-Squadron-42-Combo

Bare in mind the alpha most people are discussing is the Star Citizen MMO so if you want to try that either wait for a free fly weekend (there will more than likely be one in October or pledge for a package with Star Citizen. Honestly unless you're convinced you want to back the game I'd wait, read up a bit more and then try it on free fly, the alpha is just that, an alpha and isn't a fully fledged game.

Yeah I've also thought that for a while - I hope they know how to optimise it for a large playerbase

It's essentially not cryengine anymore. Vast swathes of the engine have been rewritten, they are introducing a new netcode with 3.0 which they are confident will improve the scope.

 

[Marky]

These guys are some of the best in the industry, they are not stupid, they know what they are doing

It's essentially not cryengine anymore. Vast swathes of the engine have been rewritten, they are introducing a new netcode with 3.0 which they are confident will improve the scope.

That's good to hear I'm looking forward to seeing more during CitizenCon in October

 

[humbug]

I think the best advice for anyone thinking about backing is: Whatch lots of player Youtubes of the latest version, currently Alpha 2.5.

Earlier today i visited Arc Corp, the place was swarming with nOObs, literally running into eachother, crawling around on the floor... all of them asking things like; Where is my ship? i have a Hanger? How do i change my Hat? Could this place be more awesome? Hhahaha........? I'm lost?

 

[PaulC2K]

The Explorer pack really is good value in Star Citizen terms.

Carrack $350
Game pack $45
Credits $20
Dragon fly $35

Total $450

You then add the Terrapin in and it works out you get it for something like $45, giving you the pack value of $495.
Which is a lot closer to what the ship is actually worth, as opposed to the $195 they are selling it for on its own.

I wouldnt count the credits really, otherwise you're also adding in the cost of the Asteroid hangar too

I'd let the $45 for the game pack go, a basic SC+SQ42 is $35 (MR double pack minus the cost of the MR is $35) but because of the credits and hangar $45 is reasonable.
I look at it as an $85 saving on the ships, and both games included. Anyone with 2 expensive ships, that combo is likely to save them $100 comfortably.

Also, we still have CitCon ~10wks away and theres likely to be a similar combo bundle going then too. This one i think is the first thats actually been 'low' ($500=low ) enough that its accessible to a decent number of backers, rather than the $1000+ ones with an Idris in there etc.

 

[atpbx]

I wouldnt count the credits really, otherwise you're also adding in the cost of the Asteroid hangar too

I'd let the $45 for the game pack go, a basic SC+SQ42 is $35 (MR double pack minus the cost of the MR is $35) but because of the credits and hangar $45 is reasonable.
I look at it as an $85 saving on the ships, and both games included. Anyone with 2 expensive ships, that combo is likely to save them $100 comfortably.

Also, we still have CitCon ~10wks away and theres likely to be a similar combo bundle going then too. This one i think is the first thats actually been 'low' ($500=low ) enough that its accessible to a decent number of backers, rather than the $1000+ ones with an Idris in there etc.

Its the first bundle I have been interested in as its the first one where there is some real value in it, plus it actually having two ships I wanted, in the Carrack and the Terrapin.

Every other pack they have currently or have released in the past (bar the alien bundles) have been padded out with countless duplicates of Hornets, Freelancers, Auroras and 300i's and nothing else remotely interesting.

NOBODY needs 4 different Auroras, or 3 Hornets, or however many Freelancers.

 

[PaulC2K]

can someone clarify you have to buy the base game and monthly sub ?

The 100% optional subscription is just something you can do if you want to. Its claimed that the subscription is used to pay for additional community interaction. I dont really buy into that, not sure many really do or care either. Its just a way for people who want to, to add a minimal amount of money ($10) to the project.
They get minor perks for it too.

* 1 Free Hangar flair item (a scale model of a ship, a rare plant, little things like this, worth $5 to buy otherwise).
* They get access to a monthly 'Jump Point' PDF magazine which talks about some of the work involved on a specific project (a ship, landing area etc).
* Access to that months free-fly ship and the option to buy it at the end of the month if they want to.

I might have forgotten other things, but really they're not huge. You're not sat thinking 'aghhh thats not fair!!'.
The 'community interaction' stuff is their regular videos and livestreams. They typically have 2 decent videos added to YT and 1-2 minor ones each week, as well as their weekly twitch stream on a Friday. They're published straight to YT so anyone can see it. Also, the Jump-point mag, they publish all the pages as images to the website in the middle of the month too for everyone to see, not as convenient as having the PDF. They're also well aware that non-subscribers are downloading it too, when subscribers share the link in public places. Nobody has been punished, they've never secured the URL behind a login-wall, and the one guy who's most notable for doing this... is now employed by CIG in their QA dept


Theres also no intention to make subscription required, they dont want to use a subscription model, they've been firm on that.

Also, as SS-89 said, i also agree anyone on the fence should hold on and take their time. The project is on solid ground, theres no urgency for people to back the game.
Im confident that anyone considering pledging will do so in good time, and if waiting makes sense thats fine, keep following progress and i suspect it wont be long till you're convinced.

 

[PaulC2K]

Its the first bundle I have been interested in as its the first one where there is some real value in it, plus it actually having two ships I wanted, in the Carrack and the Terrapin.

Every other pack they have currently or have released in the past (bar the alien bundles) have been padded out with countless duplicates of Hornets, Freelancers, Auroras and 300i's and nothing else remotely interesting.

NOBODY needs 4 different Auroras, or 3 Hornets, or however many Freelancers.

Damn i'd forgot all about those packs, they really baffle me, although i know there are people out there who have a few ships in duplicates. I'd rather have variety and get the duplicates in-game, and i'd rather have 1 large ship than 2-3 smaller ones. Thats just me, i love the big ships.


Someone earlier brough up the subject of earning ships and how backers would feel about it all. I can understand people seeing it one way or the other, it'd be a grindfest in order to justify people spending hundreds, or easy enough and backers complaining.
Personally, i do actually want it to be somewhat grindy, not because i want my moneys worth, cos theres tons of ships i want to own, and many in duplicates too, i want it that way because i want to have long term goals, and for a lot of people those arent something we'd expect to earn in 100hrs of playing.
It just doesnt feel right if you could play for 5hrs on a weekend and buy a basic ship. Admittedly its going to suck for those who cant dedicate every minute of their spare time to SC, but you have to think about the long term as well as the guilds/orgs who work together to achieve goals. We already have orgs with thousands of people in them, and im pretty sure Pagan have 50+ right?
A lot of people look at SC as being something they'll sink hours into for many years, not this months game to put 50hrs into and then move onto the next title. Hopefully SC will appeal to both ends, i know CIG view it as a 10yr game though, so even if the community is split between casual gamers and hardcore, they want it to have long-term goals not 100hrs and you've ran out of things you want to do.

Also, you'd still be able to solo the mid-sized ships on your own, as long as you hire NPCs to crew for you. Just how large a ship you could stretch to with zero interaction with other players is unknown, but i'd imagine at least 8 NPCs could be hired which is fine for most large ships, just not the huge ones.
I think you'd have to be pretty anti-social to completely reject hiring players to work with you, or work for other players, and i think there'll be a lot of obvious benefits in joining an org whatever your commitment level is.

 

[Raumarik]

NOBODY needs 4 different Auroras, or 3 Hornets, or however many Freelancers.

Collectors do, alternatively if the game works out as they planned NPCs can be manning those in a big fleet. Seriously though I know couple of guys who have over 25 grand pledged, they plan on running a fleet with a handful of other players + NPCs. I'm not sure how feasible that is and TBH, doesn't sound like much fun either but that's their choice. Their money after all.

There's a lot said about the large donators to the game but having met several they have it as disposable income, these people are well aware it could go up in smoke with no return, if they want to chuck that money at the screen then I don't see why I should see it as wrong, especially as someone who's put thousands upon thousands of hours into games over the year, just like the rest of you. These guys are cash rich, very time poor.

I do keep pointing out that their ships will quickly fall behind once the game is up and running in terms of upgraded gear etc as time rich, cash poor folks get playing, again from those I've spoken to they simply don't give a **** if the game gets made.

I do wish they'd move the larger packages out of the way in the pledge shop though - focus on the base pledge packs, keep it simple etc we'll get more actual players signed up and pledged.