Star Citizen delivers the next generation of space flight simulation gaming, combining FPS (First Person Shooter) combat and persistent MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) gameplay to create a living, breathing first person universe capable of truly unlimited gameplay experiences. In addition, through the game's advanced Newtonian physics engine, Star Citizen enables players to experience an unparalleled space sim flying experience with ship control, performance and response calculated based on dozens of dynamically generated physics based variables.

Star Citizen will not require a subscription, and not be free-to-play, it will will be available for a one-time purchase. And while players will be able to play in the Star Citizen universe for free, there will also be virtual items available for purchase with in-game credits so players can customize their ships and other items.

Star Citizen’s annual Invictus Launch Week 2953, that gives players a unique chance to play for free, returns to honor the brave men and women of the Navy and armed forces who dedicate themselves to the UEE and the protection of humanity. The event also celebrates the aerospace and defense manufacturers who gather to show off their newest and most popular vehicles used or inspired by the military. The expo returns to Area18 on ArcCorp, where new players can enjoy the enhanced new-player experience to start their adventures in the ‘verse, and then head straight to the show floor as manufacturers take turns showing off their latest and greatest vehicles. This year’s expo debuts Mirai, the next-generation performance vehicle brand dedicated to pushing the limits of whatever sector it enters into. The first vehicles of Mirai, the formidable Fury and its Fury MX variant, are available for purchase or free rental during the event, and showcase the manufacturer's cutting-edge technologies and powerful weaponry. The might of the UEE will be on full display during the festivities, with the return of the RSI Bengal fleet carrier flying throughout the Stanton system. The Aegis Javelin also returns, stopping on Hurston, microTech, Crusader, and ArcCorp to give pilots a chance to take a walking tour through the massive destroyer and learn about its capabilities directly from the crew. For full details on the Invictus Launch Week and Free Fly schedule visit this here, and additional details about Invictus Launch Week 2953 are available in this FAQ.

The Star Citizen Invictus Launch Week 2953 and Free Fly event are scheduled to begin on May 19 at approximately 9:00AM (PDT) and will run through May 30 ending at approximately 5:00PM (PDT).

Invictus Launch Week 2953 is located on the planet ArcCorp with events hosted at Area18, one of the main commercial ports in the game. New players are encouraged to create characters starting at Area18 to take advantage of the improved new-player experience, teaching them some of the basics of navigating on foot and in the skies, before following the in-game directions to the expo center. For full details on where and when to find in-game activities and events, visit here.

The recent v3.19: Call to Adventure update digs deeper into many of the emergent gameplay systems in Star Citizen, adding additional depth and improvements to single-player and multiplayer mining, new combat and salvage missions that bring their own unique risks and rewards, and a new handheld tractor beam tool to give players more control over salvage operations.

Following the major technical additions in Alpha 3.18: Lasting Legacies, today’s update has a heightened focus on new content to expand the emergent gameplay systems that are core to the Star Citizen experience. The update brings additional behind-the-scenes stability for Persistent Entity Streaming (PES), a major technical milestone for the game on its path towards seamless Server Meshing. With PES, all physical items within a server feature proper persistence, meaning a ship left in orbit by one player can be discovered and potentially stolen or destroyed by another who finds it later. The developer continues to invest in improving this technology, gathering feedback from the community as they work closely and transparently with players. PES continues to improve and evolve, creating a more immersive experience as player actions have lasting impacts on their server for truly unique experiences.

Star Citizen – Alpha 3.19: Call to Adventure key features include the following and more:

• Improved New Player Experience: In response to community feedback, new pilots in Star Citizen will enjoy an updated, more guided experience, which teaches them the basics they will need to know to survive in and explore the ‘verse. Available in Area18, this content will cover the basic use of the mobiGlas device for player information, navigating cities on foot, and take players to the spaceport where they will take their first flight in a C8 Pisces.
• Player-Led PvP Event - Ghost Hollow: A new mission will find players returning to Ghost Hollow, a small settlement within a derelict Reclaimer wreck on microTech. By disabling the communications array, players can activate local terminals that will generate UEC for as long as they are active. Activating the terminals will broadcast their status to the server, attracting both AI guards and opportunistic players seeking to claim the UEC for their own.
• Engage the Tractor Beam: The next step in expanding salvage gameplay, the tractor-beam tool enables players to attach or detach items from ship item ports. The first iteration of this system can be used for component replacement, like changing mining heads, or salvaging intact, valuable cargo from wrecks.
• Join the Resource Rush in New Salvage Missions: Following the introduction of the salvage system, CIG has introduced both ground and space-based salvage missions to the game. Salvage missions come in three variants: low-risk ‘lawful’ missions where players can salvage without risk of combat, ‘lawless’ missions seeing players salvage unprotected wrecks at risk of piracy, and high-risk ‘unlawful’ missions often located at the sites of recent battles. Rewards are commensurate with the risk and how efficient players are.
• Mining Gameplay Goes Deeper: Resource distribution has been updated to enrich the play experience, with mining items also having been updated throughout. An improved UI designed to deliver more information and clarity to players has been added to mining vessels, including better information on mining operation risks, minimum safe distances to avoid catastrophic ship damage in the event of mining mishaps, and more. Mining ships have also been rebalanced to reward effective teamwork, offering unique benefits to groups controlling the Prospector, or a fully-crewed Argo MOLE.