The Future of Gaming: StarEngine
12th December 2023
Cloud Imperium Games, the developer of sci-fi epic Star Citizen, has released a breathtaking video showcasing the game engine's capabilities.
Having entered pre-production in 2010, and first been made public in 2012, Star Citizen's development is one of the longest-running of any game. It has generated both controversy and scepticism, due to this prolonged creation time, frequent delays, and the constant expansion of its scope, which has led some to question the feasibility of the project.
Despite these issues, the work-in-progress game has amassed a huge fanbase and unprecedented crowdfunding success. At half a billion dollars, it ranks as the highest crowdfunded video game and one of the highest-funded crowdfunding projects of any kind.
Much of Star Citizen's appeal stems from its beautifully crafted setting, which offers a level of detail, scale, and immersion rarely seen in gaming. With a story taking place during the 30th century, players can explore a massive and dynamic universe that blends different genres into a cohesive whole. They are able to land on planets, moons, and space stations – each meticulously designed – departing on foot if desired, with options for trade, mining, combat, ship upgrades and other activities.
Currently, only a handful of worlds can be landed on. But the eventual aim is to produce more than 100 fully explorable systems. These locations will be further enriched by multi-player aspects – such as collaborative exploration and discovery, player vs. player combat, a player-driven economy, more varied missions and social interaction.
No projected date for the commercial release has been publicly confirmed yet. But the current state of the game can be seen in this presentation video, showcasing the "StarEngine" software used for generating content. Players who are disappointed by the stagnant progress of Elite: Dangerous are sure to enjoy Star Citizen. Although lacking the 400 billion stars of our galaxy, its greater depth and variety could provide a more immersive experience. So if you are a fan of space games with a far-future setting, be sure to keep an eye on this one.
https://www.futuretimeline.net/videos/9 ... engine.htm
