Cloud Imperium Games Debuts New Volumetric Cloud Technology for Breathtaking Views, Enhanced Ship Combat, New Dynamic Events and More
LOS ANGELES – Aug. 9, 2021 – Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) is proud to announce the launch of the Star Citizen — Alpha 3.14: Welcome to Orison update. Available now, the latest update further increases the size and scope of the Star Citizen universe with the introduction of Orison. This brand-new landing zone and headquarters for the Crusader ship manufacturer company is accessible for the first-time to Star Citizen players. Set amongst the clouds of the giant gas planet Crusader, this gigantic floating city represents the final and most impressive landing zone created for the Stanton System. In addition, pilots can look forward to a wide array of new gameplay systems offering even more control over their ship’s performance during combat. These improvements to ship-to-ship combat systems will also play a critical role in the rollout of Dynamic Events such as the brand-new Ninetails Lockdown and a compelling XenoThreat incursion.
“We are very excited for players to visit and explore the Orison Landing Zone, our very own ‘City in the Clouds,’ marking a major milestone for us as the fourth and final landing zone of Stanton system is delivered — and I couldn’t be more proud of what our teams have accomplished,” said Cloud Imperium co-founder and Star Citizen Creative Director, Chris Roberts. “With the implementation of our volumetric cloud tech, Crusader is now re-imagined as an awe-inspiring, beautiful gas giant just waiting to be visited. Star Citizen has never looked better, but beyond the clouds of Alpha 3.14 – Welcome to Orison there is even more for both new and longtime players to discover in our latest update with major ship combat improvements, new dynamic events, the long-awaited arrival of the fan-favorite Constellation Taurus, and more.”
Star Citizen — Alpha 3.14: Welcome to Orison update key features include:
- Orison Landing Zone: Located in the atmosphere of the giant gas planet Crusader, players can now visit the Orison Landing Zone in the Stanton System. As the headquarters for ship manufacturer Crusader Industries, this floating cloud city allows staff to live, work, and relax with all of the amenities and conveniences expected for the most talented and qualified personnel in the ‘verse. Attractions include the Voyager bar, various new shops and facilities, a garden area, and breathtaking sunset and sunrise views. Players can visit the eye-catching Stormwal sculpture on Orison, an homage to the massive space whales that live in Orison’s clouds, and even purchase a plushie of Crusader Industries’ official mascot, Finley the Stormwal, to commemorate their visit.
- Volumetric Cloud Tech: Thick clouds span the atmosphere of the gas giant Crusader, brought to life with Star Citizen’s stunning new volumetric cloud technology. Admire the view from both afar and up close as you cut through the vaporous walls of mist enclosing the Orison Landing Zone and its surroundings.
- Missile Operator Mode: Missiles now function via operator mode with a new UI, and can also be controlled by co-pilots. Further improvements to missile functionality include selecting from various types of missiles, dumb firing options, and multiple missile firing options. The adoption of the Intelligent Flight Control System aims to make missile behavior and performance even more realistic. These system improvements will have the most impact on ships and vehicles with a focus on missile armaments, including the Freelancer MIS, Esperia Talon Shrike, Tumbril Cyclone MT, and Anvil Ballista.
- Power Management: Pilots will now have unprecedented control over their ship’s performance during combat. Power management allows players to control power allocated to three core ship systems: weapons, shields, and engines. This new feature is designed to give pilots an edge in ship combat when adjusting power to key systems at critical moments to focus on offense, defense, or evasive maneuvers. It also builds off other multi-crew systems, laying the groundwork for scenarios where a co-pilot may need to focus on power management during intense dogfights.
- Radar, Scanning, and Ping: Players can now scan ships for information on cargo, crew, crime stats, and components. In addition, players can now mask their ship’s signature, allowing them to avoid detection from scanners. This introduces new options for scenarios calling for stealth-focused gameplay, transport, and information gathering.
- New Dynamic Event: Ninetails Lockdown is a brand-new player-versus-player focused Dynamic Event that finds a Stanton space station blockaded by the Ninetails pirates. Players must choose to break and repel the pirate blockade, or to join the Ninetails pirates in taking out security forces.
- Improved Dynamic Event: The XenoThreat Dynamic Event returns with numerous improvements based directly on player feedback and input. Join the call to arms as players collectively work to repel invaders from the Pyro System.
- RSI Constellation Taurus: The highly anticipated and long-awaited Constellation Taurus finally arrives in the ‘verse, marking the completion of the line of ships that players affectionately call “the Connie.” The Taurus is the essential ship on a player’s journey to cargo trading domination in Star Citizen. Featuring impressive cargo storage capacity, strong defensive weaponry, and a concealed cargo hold for discreet delivery of valuable goods, the Constellation Taurus marks a step up from smaller cargo haulers such as the Freelancer.
Today’s Star Citizen — Alpha 3.14: Welcome to Orison update launch represents CIG’s continued commitment to creating the most ambitious, uncompromising, and transparent game development project to-date. For full details on the Star Citizen — Alpha 3.14: Welcome to Orison update, please head here. Players interested in what each development team is working on are encouraged to visit the Star Citizen Progress Tracker and roadmap on the official website.
Star Citizen combines classic space sim gameplay with boundary-pushing visuals in a massively multiplayer setting with unprecedented fidelity. Live how you want to live: shift paths from cargo hauler to outlaw, explorer, or any other role, whenever you want. Explore multiple planets and moons, including vast cities and underground caverns, all created with a unique combination of procedural planet technology and complementary hand-crafted design.
About Cloud Imperium Games
Cloud Imperium Games is a new kind of independent studio dedicated to delivering AAA games outside the established publisher system. It was founded in 2012 by renowned visionary game developer Chris Roberts (Wing Commander series, Freelancer, Privateer), Sandi Gardiner, and international media lawyer and producer Ortwin Freyermuth (Carlito’s Way, Shattered, Das Boot – Director’s Cut), with industry veteran and studio director Erin Roberts (Lego videogame series, Starlancer, Privateer) joining the team in 2013. Cloud Imperium Games is creating Star Citizen, a record-shattering, largely crowdfunded space sim, and Squadron 42, a Hollywood-caliber, story-driven single-player game set in the same universe. Cloud Imperium Games operates in “open development” – sharing progress and updates in near real time. This paradigm-shifting development process (game development usually occurs behind closed doors) gives the community an unprecedented look at Star Citizen and Squadron 42’s development and allows direct feedback and interaction between players and developers, thereby ensuring that the games being developed are what players want to play.
