Lasting Legacies – Embark on Your Next Epic Adventure

Release Date: March 11, 2023

The latest and most expansive update yet, Star Citizen Alpha 3.18: Lasting Legacies, has arrived, ushering in a new era of exploration, careers, and persistent gameplay. With groundbreaking technology and thrilling new missions, Alpha 3.18 lays the foundation for the future of Star Citizen‘s evolving universe. Whether you’re a long-time player or a newcomer, this update promises something exciting for everyone. Let’s dive into the key features that make Alpha 3.18 an unforgettable experience.

Major Features in Alpha 3.18

• Persistent Entity Streaming (PES)
  This cutting-edge technology brings true universe-wide persistence to Star Citizen, a major leap toward creating a fully realized Persistent Universe. Items will remain in the world after a player’s death, ships will leave wreckage to be salvaged, and future updates will build upon this tech to introduce new star systems and gameplay.
• Dawn of Salvage – Hull Scraping
  Salvage gameplay makes its grand debut! Using the Aegis Reclaimer, the new Drake Vulture, or even your Greycat Multi-Tool, players can now break down ship wrecks to salvage valuable materials. This initial implementation of hull scraping is just the beginning, with additional salvage mechanics planned for future releases.
• Drake Vulture – Specialist Salvage Ship
  For those wanting to dedicate themselves to a career in salvage, the Drake Vulture is your new best friend. Built purely for dismantling wrecks, the Vulture is perfect for pilots looking to make a living by reclaiming valuable ship parts. Get started with hull scraping and look forward to expanded functionality in future patches.
• Soft Death – Vehicle Immobility
  With the introduction of soft death, ships that sustain critical damage won’t explode. Instead, they’ll be rendered immobile, leaving their contents and crew intact. This new gameplay mechanic is especially important for salvage players, allowing them to claim abandoned ships and their cargo for profit.
• RSI Scorpius Antares – EMP-Equipped Heavy Fighter
  The RSI Scorpius Antares is a new variant of the Scorpius, equipped with an EMP generator and quantum jammer, making it a formidable electronic warfare ship. Disable enemy ships and take control of the battlefield with this heavy fighter’s powerful combination of EMP tech and traditional weaponry.

Immersive Gameplay and Exploration

• Cargo System Refactor
  The long-awaited Cargo System Refactor is here! Made possible by PES, cargo is now fully physicalized, meaning crates can be picked up, moved, and persist wherever they are dropped. Whether you’re a hauler or a pirate, this refactor introduces new opportunities for players to interact with cargo in meaningful ways.
• Gen12 Graphics Renderer
  Alpha 3.18 introduces the Gen12 Graphics Renderer, a next-gen update to the game’s graphics engine. This update significantly improves performance and sets the stage for future visual fidelity enhancements. It also lays the groundwork for the upcoming Vulkan API, Star Citizen‘s cutting-edge graphics platform.
• Natural Wonders – Sand Caves and Rivers
  The universe expands with new sand-cave networks across the system, offering opportunities for exploration, missions, and profit. Unique harvestables found within these caves can be collected and sold. Additionally, more rivers and lakes have been added to microTech, and for the first time, rivers now flow across Hurston.
• Secrets of Daymar – 600i & Mercury Settlement
  Alpha 3.18 introduces a new derelict settlement on Daymar, featuring the remains of an Origin 600i and a Crusader Mercury. This abandoned location offers new missions, where players must clear out enemies, recover valuable items, and explore the area for hidden secrets.
• Kareah Reactivation
  Security Post Kareah, one of the original locations in the Stanton system, has been revamped with new missions and gameplay mechanics. Now fully controlled by Crusader Security, the station guards valuable contraband and the CrimeStat terminal, making it a key point of interest for both law-abiding citizens and criminals.

New Missions and High-Speed Action

• All-New Missions in Orison and Klescher
  With the defeat of the Ninetails, the platforms of Orison have been repurposed for combat missions, keeping the area alive with danger and action. Meanwhile, Klescher Rehabilitation Facility on Aberdeen offers new ways for prisoners to reduce their sentences by turning in contraband, adding depth to life on the wrong side of the law.
• High-Speed Thrills – New Racetracks
  Alpha 3.18 introduces six new racetracks scattered across Daymar, Euterpe, and Area18, each with unique environmental challenges. For those seeking fast-paced excitement, the tracks provide high-speed thrills. Plus, a new Greycat PTV-only kart track has opened in Orison, giving players a more casual racing experience.

Conclusion: Alpha 3.18: Lasting Legacies takes Star Citizen to new heights, offering a diverse range of content from career paths in salvage to high-speed racing and stunning exploration opportunities. The introduction of Persistent Entity Streaming is a monumental leap forward, paving the way for the game’s future evolution. Ready to answer the call? The adventure of a lifetime awaits in the vastness of space.