Star Citizen is introducing freight elevators in the upcoming Alpha 3.23 patch, revolutionizing cargo gameplay by allowing players to manually load and unload cargo onto their ships. While not all ships will fully benefit from the new system, plans for automated loading options in the future are in place, and concerns about pad ramming and griefing are being addressed by the developers.
Star Citizen is introducing a new feature called freight elevators in the upcoming Alpha 3.23 patch. This feature will revolutionize cargo gameplay and logistics in the game, allowing players to manually load and unload cargo onto their ships using the freight elevators. This means that cargo will no longer automatically spawn and despawn in the player’s ship, requiring them to physically move it themselves. The implementation of freight elevators also allows for the storage and retrieval of vehicles, solving the issue of vehicle-in-ship spawning.
The introduction of freight elevators will bring significant changes to cargo gameplay and preparation for missions. Players and groups will be able to gather in the same hangar to load up their cargo and make adjustments to their ships using the cargo elevators. This feature will also add a time factor to cargo management, as players will need to consider the loading and unloading process. Sensible loading will save time in the long run, and cargo prices are expected to reflect the increased investment of time and effort.
The freight elevator system will not be limited to hangars at landing zones but will also be available at outposts on the surface of moons. This ensures a normalized experience for buying and selling cargo, regardless of the location. However, the implementation of freight elevators has raised concerns about pad ramming and griefing. The developers have acknowledged these concerns and mentioned plans to address them through systems such as security and planetary shield technology, which will protect players from unwanted damage.
Not all ships will fully benefit from the new cargo system in Alpha 3.23, as some ships were not originally designed with cargo in mind. Ships like the Anvil Carrack and the Reclaimer may not have efficient manual loading capabilities, but there are plans to develop automated loading options for all ships in future updates. The developers aim to differentiate ships and locations in terms of cargo capabilities, ensuring that ships designed for cargo will be more effective than those that are not.
Overall, the introduction of freight elevators in Star Citizen’s Alpha 3.23 patch will bring significant changes to cargo gameplay, allowing players to manually load and unload cargo onto their ships. While not all ships will fully benefit from the new system, plans for automated loading options in the future are in place. The developers are also addressing concerns about pad ramming and griefing to ensure a balanced and enjoyable gameplay experience.