Star Citizen aims to be a space online game in a massive, persistent, and freely explorable galaxy. A significant step in this direction is planned by the developers with the upcoming update.
So far, the alpha of Star Citizen consists of individual modules. In Arena Commander, players test space battles against waves of enemies, while Star Marine features shooter combat. However, with the upcoming update 2.6.2, the mega map feature will be introduced. This is a streaming system that aims to better connect the space battles of Arena Commander with the shooter skirmishes from Star Marine. However, it will not yet be as it will be in the finished game.
Mega Map is the first step towards a persistent universe
The mega map will test the streaming system. Later in the development of the game, there should be no loading times at all. You will fly through space with your ship, discover a wreck, exit your fighter, float through space to the wreck, and then explore it from a first-person perspective. If there are enemies there, shooter skirmishes will occur. All of this is meant to happen seamlessly. However, to achieve this, the streaming system must provide the data quickly. And this is what the mega map feature is set to test.
In the alpha 2.6.2, thanks to the mega map, you will be able to switch between shooter and space battles with short loading times without having to leave the game, as was previously the case. The system will be continuously expanded, hopefully allowing you in the future to stream the entire vast galaxy so that you can transition from one place to another with minimal loading times and exit your ship to walk around on planetary surfaces or space stations.
Still a long way to go
Star Citizen still has a long way to go despite all the progress. Alpha 3.0 is planned for this year, in which a part of the galaxy will become available, including procedurally generated planets, where you can land and exit without loading times. Then we should get our first real insight into the game and see how Star Citizen will feel as a whole at release. However, alpha 3.0 is not planned until the end of the year. The mega map streaming system coming with update 2.6.2 lays the foundation for this.
Update 2.6.2 is set to be released on March 23 for the space online game Star Citizen.
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