Joystiq

Star Citizen can't be done on current-gen consoles, says Roberts

Sinan Kubba — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 09:30:00 EST

Chris Roberts says Star Citizen's RAM requirements, based on its proof-of-concept video, aren't met by current-gen consoles. Speaking to Ars Technica, the game's creator also dismissed potential iterations, promising top-end PCs of today are "already more powerful than what a next-generation console is going to be." While he's aiming high with hardware requirements, Roberts expects them to be standard for PC when Star Citizen releases in two years' time.

"You can't do that much with 512MB [of RAM on a console], so that constrains a lot of your game design," said Roberts. "If I'm building a PC game, I'm going 'Yeah, you need 4GB on your machine.' Of course you're not going to get all 4GB because Windows is a hungry beast, but you're getting a lot more than 512MB so it kinds of open up what you can do, what you can fit in memory at the same time, and it changes your level of ambition."

That doesn't mean the game will necessarily be limited to PC, though. Developer Cloud Imperium set up a poll recently for further stretch goals to include in its fundraiser, with options of support for Mac and Linux. As it stands, 19 percent of voters want Linux support, with Mac on 8 percent. Both are way behind the likes of "tactical command mode on capital ships" (37 percent), "more star systems in Star Citizen" (39 percent), and more flyable ship classes (41 percent). If I were you, Mac users, I wouldn't hold my breath.

Star Citizen can't be done on current-gen consoles, says Roberts originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Nov 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Citizen adds Kickstarter to crowdfunding drive

Jordan Mallory — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

After its official website (and only source of crowdfunding income) went offline due to server-crushing amounts of traffic, Chris Roberts' Cloud Imperium Games have opened an ancillary Kickstarter project to support Star Citizen.

The main difference between the Kickstarter and the website itself - beyond the stark difference in fundraising goals - is the Kickstarter's special $5.00 donation level, which grants the ability to change a ship's hull design to players that have already donated on the main site. The rest of the game's registration process, as well as all of the other donation rewards, remain the same regardless of where the donation originated.

As of press time, the official site has reached approximately $1.13 million of its $2 million goal, while the Kickstarter has earned $208,370 of its $500,000 target. Funding on the official site continues for another 21 days, while the Kickstarter remains active for another 30.

Star Citizen adds Kickstarter to crowdfunding drive originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wing Commander creator returns to gaming, unveils new project next month

Sinan Kubba — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EST

Chris Roberts, the brain behind Wing Commander and Freelancer, announced his return to game development yesterday with a newly launched website*. The site more than hints at an upcoming high-end space sim, giving users a 'golden ticket' to a private showing of Roberts' 'next creation,' scheduled for 10am JST (7am Pacific) on October 10 at GDC Online. Furthermore, Roberts' updated LinkedIn profile lists him as the boss of Cloud Imperium. According to the site, Cloud Imperium launched last year and is "dedicated to high end gaming and anything involving spaceships."

Although Roberts forged a career in Hollywood over the last decade, producing films like The Punisher and Lord of War, his passion clearly remains in the space sims he made across the 90s. His new website's introductory message reveals he left games development because he was frustrated with its technological limits. Roberts' Wing Commander series mixed space combat with high-end cinematics starring the likes of Mark Hamill and John Rhys Davies, and (in retrospect) the disparity between the graphics and video is stark.

Roberts now feels he has the tools to build a world "more satisfying and richer" than any film he could work on. While things have changed much since Roberts' last worked in the industry back in 2003, the return of the man who made one of gaming's most celebrated series is certainly worth keeping an eye on.

*if you're looking for the number code to login, think upon the most important question

Wing Commander creator returns to gaming, unveils new project next month originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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