In the September 13, 2024 episode of Star Citizen Live, host Jared Huckaby and developer Chad McKinney discussed the challenges and delays in the development of the game’s cargo and hangar systems, attributing setbacks to complex issues with older systems like Air Traffic Control and the mission system. They emphasized the importance of community feedback in shaping future developments and expressed optimism about ongoing improvements despite the obstacles faced in the game development process.
In the September 13, 2024 episode of Star Citizen Live, host Jared Huckaby welcomed viewers to a Q&A focused on the game’s cargo and hangars, featuring developer Chad McKinney. The discussion began with a light-hearted exchange about Chad’s recent shaving, which was linked to his upcoming inclusion in the game. The show aimed to address community questions regarding the cargo and hangar systems, emphasizing that not all developers work on every aspect of the game, which necessitated selecting appropriate questions for Chad to answer.
The first major question addressed the delays in releasing the hangar and cargo features, with Chad explaining that the development process is complex and often unpredictable. He noted that while there were expectations of being close to a release, unforeseen issues with older systems like Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Transit caused significant setbacks. These systems had numerous bugs and required extensive testing, leading to a longer development cycle than initially anticipated. Chad expressed regret over the terminology used to describe the timeline and emphasized the importance of thorough testing and diagnostics.
As the discussion progressed, Chad elaborated on the challenges faced during development, including issues with the mission system and networking problems. He highlighted the need for a more robust solution for the ATC system, which has been a longstanding issue within the game. The conversation also touched on the complexity of integrating new features while maintaining stability, with Chad acknowledging that the current approach of bundling multiple features into one release may have contributed to the difficulties experienced by the team.
The Q&A also included questions about the design of hangars and the potential for customization. While there are plans to expand personal hangars with modules for vehicles and other features, Chad noted that the current design is still evolving. He mentioned that the team is listening to community feedback and aims to improve the overall user experience, including the layout and functionality of hangars. The conversation underscored the importance of player input in shaping future developments.
In conclusion, the episode provided insights into the ongoing challenges and developments within Star Citizen’s cargo and hangar systems. Chad McKinney and Jared Huckaby conveyed a sense of optimism about future improvements and the importance of community feedback in the development process. The discussion emphasized that the journey of game development is fraught with obstacles, but the team remains committed to delivering a better experience for players as they continue to refine and enhance the game’s features.