Star Citizen Alpha 3.23 Unveils Even More New Features!

Welcome to The First Star Citizen Roadmap Update of the Year… This ratifies some of the features we knew were turning up in 3.23 but also reveals a few new ones and gives us context and a level of expectation of how the first iterations of some of these features will look like.

With Alpha 3.23 CIG have said that they are targeting April 2024 for this patch now.

I am expecting the end of April as the patch is pretty packed with features and CIG are trying to get Master Modes and a ton of other stuff in there some of which CIG are revealing in this Roadmap Update. Please bear in mind that these features are planned for somewhen in the 3.23 cycle not all may be present at initial release… and sometimes features slip.

There has been an update with the Replication Layer – Testing continues for this important update to the persistent universe’s back end database. This release will remain fluid in regards to timing as edge cases are solved and performance is optimised. With this publish, we’re moving this card to the Alpha 3.23 column, but keep an eye on Spectrum and the Tech Preview channel for the latest on the Replication Layer. So currently it looks likely to turn up in 3.23 at some point as part of a live build.

Anyway more Alpha 3.23 Features:

Starmap Rework – Implementing the new and improved Starmap with improved visuals and usability, including easier search and trip planning functionality.

FPS Map System – Implementing a minimap for the HUD as well as interior maps for FPS gameplay, helping players stay oriented in close-quarter encounters.

mobiGlas Rework – Reworking the mobiGlas system to use Building Blocks, which will also allow for easier development of mobiGlas apps. This update includes reworked Home, Maps, Contract Manager, and Journal apps.

Personal and Instanced Hangars – Creating new tech that creates an instance of the player’s hangar to allow for uninterrupted management of cargo, inventory, and vehicles. Personal hangars are found at the player’s home location and allow for customization and organization of the hangar interior.

Freight Elevators – Implementation of systems and content for players to physically load and unload cargo to and from their ships by conveying cargo to and from hangars, landing pads, garages, and docking collars.

Item Bank & Unique Item Recovery – Adding Item Bank kiosks to the persistent universe, allowing players to retrieve and store FPS items at multiple locations. This addition will also allow players to retrieve lost account-bound items, such as subscriber flair.

New Missions – Cargo Hauling – Making use of the Freight Elevators feature, this mission type will have players hauling large quantities of cargo to earn both aUEC and reputation.

Dynamic Crosshair – Combat helmets now support the dynamic crosshair which allows for quicker target acquisition in close-quarter situations.

EVA T2 – Improved EVA controls and animations for smoother traversal in Zero-G. Later iterations will introduce limited EVA fuel and encourages the use of zero-G push/pull and the Multi-Tool’s tractor beam.

FPS Loot Screen – Introducing a new screen for looting critical items quickly, allowing for more reliable inventory management in tense situations.

Visor & Lens HUD Rework – Converting the Visor and Lens systems to Building Blocks for improved performance and flexibility.

New Character Customizer – Implementing an overhaul of the player character creator for Star Citizen, including a new user interface and additional customization options.

Distribution Centers – Creating new traversable areas offering gameplay opportunities in corporate industrial environments. This initial release includes the surface levels of the facilities, with underground areas coming in a later update.

Dynamic Event: Blockade Runner – Introducing a new dynamic event that involves a criminal faction (Nine Tails) locking down an LEO and L1/L2 rest stops. Players must run the blockade and purchase and sell a percentage of Quantanium before time runs out.

Reputation – Hostility – Adding a new feature to the Reputation system where players will encounter AI that are either friendly or hostile based on their reputation with the organization the AI belong to. This also includes different friendly-fire thresholds and defense responses.

Player Interaction Experience – Implementing the updated Player Interaction Experience; a holistic array of complimentary features and systems, all related directly to the player. Player status, item status, environment status, as well as interactions with both the game world and the objects within it, are covered under these systems.

Master Modes – Implementing new modes to vehicles to manage their speed, components, and role-specific functions. This release introduces the NAV and SCM modes, as well as a complete re-tuning of all ships.

Beyond all that we know CIG are planning some XenoThreat updates both before 3.23 and during it’s cycle. And there are various other features and surprises that will be part of 3.23…

We don’t know what ships will be ready for the release BUT CIG are working on loads currently…

That’s Not Alll…

There is an Alpha 3.22.1 (in PTU at time of recording) that has a new feature…

Arena Commander: Gravlev Racing – Introducing a new Experimental Mode to Arena Commander featuring Grav-lev vehicles racing through 5 new maps: The Snake Pit, The Snake Pit (Reverse), Clio Islands, Rivers Edge & Shifting Sands.