Star Citizen: Arena Commander Launched!

garrett

Star Citizen has officially launched Arena Commander for fans and backers. Players will be very excited to play in this module live. 

We are happy to announce that Arena Commander’s first public build has officially launched. V0.8 launched overnight and provides backers with their first chance to jump in their space ships and do some dogfighting in the latest Star Citizen game module. All the details on V0.8 are in this morning’s posting from Chris Roberts. You’ll find plenty of information about this pre-alpha release of Star Citizen including instructions on downloading, to future AC versions, to testing and reporting bugs to Chris’ views on the future of open development. 

 

Read more about Star Citizen here.

Makidian

First !

Lobotomist

Any backer has acess to this ?

Makidian

Yes, kinda scared to try it. Been waiting so long I don't want to be let down lol.

Geebus80

I got into the first wave, initially they forgot to supply the map files for arena commander so people could only use hanger module.

 

That is fixed now, though to apply the patch you have to reinstall the game, seeing as the launcher doesnt seem to even detect new patches on load.

 

So def some serious issues with the launcher imo, BUT who cares about the launcher, that isnt the game.

 

The game actually runs well, smooth for me on a crappy alienware m14x on high settings. It is track mouse firing so some people complain about it being "arcadey" though when challenged to supply a better method they have none. Some people are lagging bad during "Vanduul swarm mode" but if you saw how many ships were on screen during that mode you would understand.

 

All in all with my 22y of gaming under my belt I rate this initial module at its initial release as "acceptable" not good, not bad, lots of potential and it plays w/o crashing for me so acceptable.

 

inoxcopia

I'm a big fan of space sims...I have finished ,on the distant past, all Wing Commander series, Privater, Freespace (I&II) Tie Fighter etc. Downloading is at 3/4 and i'm really eager to try this! As a backer of this game i hope that programmers will reach their goals and deliver a superb game in the end. But if they don't, no harm done. I'm already glad that i have helped in the creation of something that could alter the way that things work in the game industry.  

 

   

sludgebeard

Can we get some backers opinions on gameplay? As well as some YouTube vids if possible!? Thanks guys, I really want to hear more about this!

Unknown

I love the details on the ships, looking very good.

Geebus80, Elite has a different mouse control mode which prevents it from obsoleting joysticks and avoids the "arcady" feel. Maybe they could do something similar. But I must admit thoroughly enjoying playing through Freelancer with a mouse despite the arcardyness.

Slapshot1188

Played a few minutes.  Graphics well beyond what I expected.  Played smooth on my rig with no noticeable issues.  Will have to play more tonight but promising so far.

 

Roin

I was up when it was released. Was up when they released the fix for no maps.  Didn't have to reinstall at all. Just a few things.

1) I have easily put in a few hours doing the swarm. Not one crash. (Probably close to 5 hours now)

2) Controls need to be tightened up a bit, but manage "ok" so far using a 360 controller. A little too sensitive for me. Definitely getting a HOTAS for this. Might even do it now just to enjoy AC more.

3) Very steady frame rate for me. Using a single 690GTX at max setting at resolution of 2560x1600.

4)  The AI is a bit better then I've expected. In all the hours so far I still have only managed to get up to Wave 7.

5) Haven't tried to Multiplayer yet.

All in all very pleased so far.

Mors.Magne

Here is a YouTube 'review' of the alpha so far: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7bmZLUSnNo

 

Basically, it's a proper alpha so there is a long way to go.

 

Personally, I'll be playing Elite: Dangerous first (release date roughly this September) and I'll be playing SC whenever it's ready.

Asm0deus

A couple of us posted it was up early this morn/lat last night around 2:30am.

Some streams from twitch see http://www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/post/6353817#6353817 OP in that thread has a few past broadcast videos up in his profile some longer ones and I have a shorter 25min one of me getting use to the controls.

 

You also might want to check out http://starcitizenlive.com/  It's a new site with a collection of streamers just for SC.

Nitth

Curious, If you have a multi display how does the cockpit look?

Caldrin

Originally posted by sludgebeard
Can we get some backers opinions on gameplay? As well as some YouTube vids if possible!? Thanks guys, I really want to hear more about this!

Well for a frist release alpha build its pretty good.. controls are a bit dodgy. Seems that mosue and keyboard will be the way to go becauseo f the way the mosue also moves the guns when you move but the joystick has them fixed.. joysticks are also a bit slow at moving the ships at the moment unless you have extra rudder control as for some reason that moves your ship from side to side really fast lol

Combat at the moment has no feeling to it.. you have no idea you are getting hit or anything until your shields drop below 25% and the computer then tells you. Still its very early on the game works and looks bloody good running on max settings

 

Asm0deus

 

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Originally posted by Caldrin

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Originally posted by sludgebeard Can we get some backers opinions on gameplay? As well as some YouTube vids if possible!? Thanks guys, I really want to hear more about this!

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Well for a frist release alpha build its pretty good.. controls are a bit dodgy. Seems that mosue and keyboard will be the way to go becauseo f the way the mosue also moves the guns when you move but the joystick has them fixed.. joysticks are also a bit slow at moving the ships at the moment unless you have extra rudder control as for some reason that moves your ship from side to side really fast lol Combat at the moment has no feeling to it.. you have no idea you are getting hit or anything until your shields drop below 25% and the computer then tells you. Still its very early on the game works and looks bloody good running on max settings  

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Yes I agree, it is more of a real alpha than I have seen in a long while.  Arena commander is just one module for arena like gameplay.  There definitely needs some tweaking on controls but that is to be expected.

My impressions on it is that it may be more mouse/KB friendly than say ED, keep in mind I haven't tried ED just seen video of others and the like though and read what others in the ED forums have posted about it.

It is quite fun nonetheless and I can't wait till they add more to it, one thing they need to add asap is the ability to keybind everything like you want, right now we are stuck with what it gives us unless you use some external options.

I don't have a triple monitor set up so can't speak about that but maybe one of the streamers on the link in my previous post could comment about it if you go ask them.

DocBrody

it's awesome tried today with Joystick I love it!!

 

Wing Commander is BACK

 

The ultimate space adventure is arriving, get your sticks ready and get the fastest Graphics card available

cause Chris Roberts oldest tradition is to fry your computer with his games!

Dihoru

Originally posted by DocBrody

it's awesome tried today with Joystick I love it!!

 

Wing Commander is BACK

 

The ultimate space adventure is arriving, get your sticks ready and get the fastest Graphics card available

cause Chris Roberts oldest tradition is to fry your computer with his games!

Space adventure? Mmm remains to be seen but as far as him delivering, eventually, ... yeah -prints out previous sentences in regards to this being vaporware- gotta be fair here... got any mayonaise? -begins cutting the sheets of paper into bite sized chunks-

lowmonster

Backer since about 6 months ago, played the arena commander module and for me personally it is everything i hoped i could do in a spaceship, considering that this is a game FAR from finished and lots of stuff will be added later (this module also; still v 0.8). Thing i love most; land your space ship on a pad in space (free roam), get out of your cockpit and just walk around untill you decide to jump of the pad and float around in space. The combat gives you a nice taste of what to expect..., but still needs tweaking. Flying takes a lot of getting used to. Switching with capslock moves your WSAD config to truster mode.. for up/down/strafe/ etc. I had fun and it gives me confidence that if they keep working on it; this game will be awesome(*hope)! 

Ramonski7

Backed it but saving my Aurora until the game actually is released. Don't wanna spoil anything at all with this game.

loulaki

from the criticism on an alpha edition i see a very promising production : )