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Cloud Imperium Games released the 3.17 update for Star Citizen over the weekend. The game is still very much in alpha, but it's getting somewhere. It's getting there slowly, very slowly, but it's getting there.
The alpha 3.17 update, codenamed "Fueling Fortunes," adds in new ways for players to earn wealth and further their career opportunities. There are also apparently "new locations to explore, and tools to support emergent gameplay." Of course, there is also a new ship that you can purchase. It is the Hull A, an entry-level ship from Musashi Industrial & Starlight Concern (MISC) that is "perfect for pilots beginning their career in trading."
Looking at the page for the Hull A, this ship will run you at least $80 (USD).
New areas to explore in Star Citizen include the Maria Pure of Heart hospital in Lorville and ... well, that's all they listed. Some of the key features of 3.17 can be found below. There is also some new river tech and ship-to-ship refueling. If you want the boring text stuff, hit up the full 3.17 changelog.
- Ship-to-ship Refueling: The MISC Starfarer can now refuel stranded ships or top off fuel tanks before a long voyage. Pilots can charge the recipients for the fuel and service, creating a new money-making profession in the ‘verse.
- Selling to NPCs: NPC vendors and stores are now greater participants in the economy, and players can sell weapons, armor, and other looted items for UEC.
- Mining Gadgets: Take asteroid mining to new depths! Mining gadgets can be placed on asteroids with a variety of effects such as making the asteroid easier to break apart or increasing the quantity of mineable minerals.
- Lorville Hospital: The Maria Pure of Heart hospital has been added to the Hurston Dynamics company town of Lorville, welcoming in new patients. Pilots can now access hospitals in all landing zones of the Stanton system.
- Interactive River Tech: With the implementation of river tech complete, the first interactive river has been added and can be found on microTech. Pilots can glide over the water in search of harvestable resources, or go for a stroll through the water for a different perspective on the ‘verse (helmet required).
- MISC Hull A: The “entry level†of the MISC Hull line of commerce-grade cargo ships is ready to kick-start a pilot’s career in space-trucking with its unique, expandable arm tech for carrying large commercial cargo containers. As with the larger Hull ships in its series, the MISC Hull A is designed to do one thing – haul lots of cargo. With the ability to land planet-side even when fully loaded, it’s the perfect vehicle for enterprising station-to-orbit cargo captains throughout the ‘verse.
