In the CitizenCon Panel 5 “Beyond Pyro,” Creative Director Ian Len discussed the future of Star Citizen, focusing on the upcoming Nyx star system and its reimagined locations, including a new industrial area within a cylindrical asteroid. He also introduced the next star system, Castra, highlighting its unique landscapes and military history, while showcasing advancements in the game’s visuals and gameplay mechanics.
In the CitizenCon Panel 5 titled “Beyond Pyro,” Ian Len, the Creative Director, discussed the future of the Star Citizen universe beyond the Pyro system. He highlighted the impressive musical scoring by Pedro, setting an exciting tone for the upcoming developments. The panel focused on the three known star systems: Stanton, Pyro, and Nyx, with Nyx being the next area to be explored after Pyro. Len mentioned that locations like Leski and Delmar were initially placeholders in Stanton and faced performance issues, but they are being reimagined for Nyx, particularly in the new asteroid location named Delmar.
The new design of Nyx includes a reimagined Leski, which is now an industrial area within a cylindrical asteroid, rather than its previous cone shape. This design features a ring of landing pads and hangar doors, creating a vibrant environment for players. The panel teased the presence of the Kraken ship partially obscured in the asteroid, adding an element of intrigue. Additionally, a vertical cargo offloading grid is being introduced for space stations, enhancing the gameplay experience with a fully operational cargo selling loop that includes refineries and shops.
Len also introduced the concept of evolving missions within Nyx, emphasizing a progression-based content system. Players can complete missions to gain experience and access increasingly challenging levels, which promises to keep gameplay fresh and engaging over time. The developers aim to create a dynamic environment where players can interact with various challenges and rewards as they progress through the game.
The panel further revealed the next star system, Castra, which has a rich backstory involving a neutral zone during a potential war between factions. Castra features unique landscapes and a military history, with two main areas: Castra 1, a toxic environment used for weapons testing, and Castra 2, a former military staging area that has transitioned to trade and tourism. The developers hinted at the need for players to be citizens to access certain areas within this system.
Finally, the panel showcased impressive visuals demonstrating the advancements in ray tracing and cloud technology within the game engine, particularly in the new landing zone called Sherman. This area is designed to reflect the military buildup leading to the potential war, featuring a mix of industrial and commercial spaces. The excitement surrounding these developments was palpable, with Len expressing enthusiasm for players to experience the new environments firsthand. The panel concluded with a promise to stitch together all the visual content for viewers to enjoy.