In a discussion about Star Citizen, developers acknowledged players’ requests for larger planets but highlighted the technical and gameplay challenges involved, such as texture quality and travel times. They suggested that a modest increase in size might be feasible, balancing the desire for realism with the need for an enjoyable gameplay experience.
In a recent discussion about the game Star Citizen, the developers addressed the possibility of scaling up the size of planets beyond their current 1/8 scale. Players have expressed that the mountains and landscapes feel small, leading to a desire for larger planets to enhance realism. While the devs acknowledged this sentiment, they also highlighted the complexities involved in making such changes, particularly concerning gameplay dynamics and technical limitations.
One of the primary concerns mentioned was the impact on resolution and texture quality. Currently, the game’s planets utilize a global texture resolution, and increasing the size of the planets would mean spreading the same texture over a larger area, resulting in lower resolution per pixel. This could detract from the visual quality of the game and would require significant adjustments to the technology used for rendering environments.
The developers also pointed out gameplay implications of larger planets. If planets were scaled to real-life sizes, travel times between points of interest could increase dramatically, potentially leading to a less enjoyable experience for players. The balance between creating a vast, immersive world and maintaining engaging gameplay is a delicate one, and the team is wary of making changes that could negatively affect player experience.
While the devs are open to the idea of scaling up planets, they suggested that a modest increase—such as doubling or tripling the size—might be more feasible than a full 1:1 scale. This would allow for larger mountains and geographical features while still keeping gameplay manageable. They emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between the scale of the environment and the density of content, ensuring that players have enough to explore without feeling overwhelmed or lost.
Ultimately, the developers conveyed that while there are valid reasons for wanting larger planets, the current size allows for a more controlled and enjoyable gameplay experience. They are committed to exploring options for enhancing the game world, including potential improvements in atmosphere, visibility, and content density. While it remains uncertain if planets will significantly increase in size, the conversation indicates that the developers are considering adjustments that could enhance the overall experience without compromising the game’s core mechanics.