The dedicated space MMO Star Citizen unexpectedly releases a visual teaser for its upcoming campaign “Squadron 42” and sends an important signal to fans: Things are moving forward!
Star Citizen has been in development for years: A release is still not in sight. But players are eager for the space MMO and can hardly get enough of it.
The developers know this as well, as they now send an important message to fans with the release of a video for the single-player module “Squadron 42” over the holidays.
What was the message? The developers show with the video that the campaign is progressing and that a lot has been worked on Squadron 42 in 2019. The developers at CIG refer to this visual teaser, which is meant to evoke desires and showcase some highlights, as a Christmas gift:
It’s been a while since we had a significant look at Squadron 42, even though our global teams have been working hard behind the spoiler curtain. To give all of you a special Christmas gift, we’ve put together this visual update, highlighting some of the work we’ve done throughout 2019. (…)
Part of the statement on the official website of Star Citizen
Developers continue to work hard on Squadron 42
Why was this so important? Even though a recent update was rolled out to the alpha servers of the space MMO, it had been quite quiet around the campaign.
There are significant roadmaps for Squadron 42. However, for many, the campaign still seemed far off, especially since it had been relatively quiet this year. The new teaser is meant to alleviate this feeling, and it appears that the developers have succeeded.
How is the video received? The clips from the campaign “Squadron 42” are well received, and even here in Germany the teaser made it into the general YouTube trends, briefly reaching 20th place.
The video has already collected more than 12,000 likes and, with nearly 260,000 views, is the most successful video of the year on the official Star Citizen channel. And that not even 24 hours after its release. (View count: December 26 around 3:00 PM)
What does the teaser look like? The released video is a visual teaser and shows you some locations and elements of the campaign that were created by developers in 2019.
Visual teaser shows the work from 2019
What is there to see? The teaser provides uncommented insights with new scenes from various locations in the campaign. There are also technical details to see, such as the view of a new engine.
This is what the trailer shows you:
- New locations
- On the ground and in space
- new ships and reworks
- also modifications of Vanduul ships
- A populated station
- a small insight into the social and economic structure
- There are even homeless people on the station
- Huge Vanduul carrier
- A gigantic ship that apparently belongs to the Vanduul and is part of the story
For fans, many of these insights are valuable. Mostly they are small details or subtle images that reveal a little more about the background and are analyzed closely.
Star Citizen fans rejoice over holiday gift
How is it received by fans? The comments under the video are mostly positive, and players are excited about this holiday surprise.
- Brett Frazier: “My mind just exploded… thank you CIG.”
- Xavier Matews: “This is an excellent Christmas gift!!! :D”
- Opreax Qweyzar: “That was unexpected and absolutely great.”
Many comments describe the video as “awesome” or “beautiful.” The good mood is almost tangible, and people are happy to hear something new about the campaign during the holidays.
Are there any critical voices? But not everyone is completely satisfied with the material shown, although it only concerns relatively few.
It looks great. But the fact that they released a visual teaser instead of an actual trailer shows me that the designers have completed most of S42 and now only have about 1 billion gameplay blockers left. I hope the big roadmap update after January shows that I was wrong.
SageWaterDragon on reddit (translated)
SageWaterDragon fears that the developers are only now starting to implement all the gameplay elements after the designers have more or less finished building the campaign.
Some players had wished for new gameplay footage and are now disappointed. Almost exactly two years ago, there was even a one-hour gameplay demo.
No gameplay from Squadron 42, but update 3.8 just before Christmas
What else is happening with Star Citizen? The player-funded mega project recently reached a new milestone and can now show over 250,000,000 dollars in raised funds, also through new ships with some insane prices.
A few days ago, alpha build 3.8 went live for Star Citizen and brought players a lot of graphical overhauls and fundamental innovations. But the developers are working on even more and have even planned a Battlefield-like multiplayer mode.
What do you think of the new teaser? What are you expecting from the campaign Squadron 42?
