LUXURY! Star Citizen has a ton of ships for sale that go towards funding the never-ending game, from cargo haulers to bleeding edge weapon platforms that look dead sexy. But there’s only one ship available that’ll have you cruising the spaceways in style.
And that ship, is the $400 Genesis Starliner, a first-class passenger transport spacecraft which can hold eight crew members and up to 40 passengers. It even includes a selection of configurations, to make the journey for virtual passengers that much more luxurious.
“One of our dreams when planning Star Citizen was to go beyond the typical space sim experience,” developer Cloud Imperium explained in a post on the Star Citizen website.
We’ve built a lot of ships along traditional lines: fighters, bombers, battleships and carriers all have a natural (and fun!) gameplay role in a world at war. … But with the Starliner, we’re introducing something new: a ship that doesn’t have a naturally apparent style of gameplay.
This addition all adds into Star Citizen’s goal to create a living breathing world, as well as to explore how tourism would work in the cosmos:
Our job with the Starliner was to determine how passenger travel in the ‘verse would be both fun and necessary, and then to build out a ship worthy of that system.
Designers have spent a lot of time working on the realism: everything from safety features … to a plan for how to make passenger travel fun, interesting and rewarding for those who choose to fly the Genesis.
Star Citizen has managed to raise over $84 million in crowdfunding alone, with no end in sight. While ship concepts like the Genesis Starliner are plentiful, it looks like the touted first-person shooter module won’t be seen anytime soon, as that part of the game has been delayed indefinitely. LUXURY!
Last Updated: July 1, 2015
Gavin Mannion
July 1, 2015 at 07:34
If you buy this you’re an idiot… that’s just my humble opinion..
Rock789
July 1, 2015 at 07:38
Couldn’t agree more. It’s 1 thing paying $40 for dlc / new missions, etc. (and I’m not for that either, mind you). But paying $400 so you can have a ‘virtual luxurious travelling experience’ in a space sim…? And that, I’m assuming, can be blown up by others…? Why wouldn’t this be standard in the game after the $84million they’ve raked in already?
Yeah, if I ever meet anyone who’s bought this I will laugh and laugh and laugh…
MrAptronym
July 1, 2015 at 17:31
What if I told you people have spent five digit sums on ships for the game?
Rock789
July 1, 2015 at 20:51
o_O
Domaldel
July 1, 2015 at 21:49
There’s several reasons for that.
Some of those ships are meant to be rare, so it’s a good thing that not just anyone can buy them and have them ready at launch with out of game cash.
And no, they’re not always meant to be rare because they’re expensive with in-game cash, but because it helps with the immersion if there’s a limited number of these ships.
Anyway, this is mostly about helping contributing to the game.
The scope (including the stuff to be made after launch) is decided to a large degree by how much money we want to throw at the game.
Chris Roberts have stated that he intend to use every single cent he gets in on developing the game.
(Of course with “developing” that probably also includes administration and so one and so forth, but you get my meaning)
Anyway, they asked us if we wanted to stop the pledging process or not.
We answered that we wanted them to keep on doing it.
So, we’re getting what we wanted here.
Anyway, so what if someone have used say 50 000 USD on the game so far?
Does that matter at all to you?
It’s their money after all.
Myself I vent in with just 500 USD.
Anyway, yeah, you’re right, those ships can be blown up.
My 300 USD Connie can be blown up, and if that happens without an insurance then I’ll be without that ship just like a newbie to the game on the first day and I’d have to take a in-game loan, or to work for other players or NPCs that still owns a ship to earn it back (or just fly around in my Auroras and earn it back that way)
One of the new career paths that this ship introduces is the air steward job.
Someone got to serve all the passengers after all, and I don’t need to own the ship I’m serving them at to do the job. 😉
If you pledge in at the 45 USD price point (the finished game is expected to come in at about 69 USD) and somehow end up getting your ship blown up then you can always serve on one of these starliners till you can afford a new ship, potentially something like my 300 USD Connie.
I don’t remember exactly, but seem to recall an expected average of 6 weeks of playtime to get a Connie in-game.
Could remember wrong of course.
But I’m positive that it was a lot shorter then what people expected for a 300 USD ship.
Of course that don’t include things like say the missiles it carries and so one and so forth…
But still, you’re not at any significant disadvantage against us early pledgers when the game is done.
And most of us are happy with the money we spend on this game and fully aware of what exactly it is that we’re doing.
And that’s why I find anyone calling us “idiots” is rather offensive.
Rock789
July 1, 2015 at 07:39
What’s next? Paying $40 for emotes? Oh… Wait…
HvR
July 1, 2015 at 07:51
http://media.giphy.com/media/rHR8qP1mC5V3G/giphy.gif
Lord Chaos
July 1, 2015 at 08:15
What? You couldn’t find one of Indie taking his hat off?
Pariah
July 1, 2015 at 08:55
Han > Indie
Lord Chaos
July 1, 2015 at 08:56
But Indie has a hat…
Pariah
July 1, 2015 at 09:24
Han has a Chewbacca.
Dark_Kitarist
July 1, 2015 at 09:43
And we have a hulk!!!! And I like Han more than Indie… It’s a Sci-Fi vs. historic thing 😀 I love Sci-fi way way more… And what is more cool than a professor with a hat? A space captain that did the Kessel run in 12 parsecs 😀
Pariah
July 1, 2015 at 09:52
You just won the internet for today. GG. 😀
HvR
July 1, 2015 at 09:33
That is $5 extra
Dark_Kitarist
July 1, 2015 at 10:02
Don’t encourage them… They’ll actually charge us for hats… Oh wait I’m remembering something… A game… Team Fortress…
Buying skins and hats… What has this world come to!!!
Domaldel
July 1, 2015 at 21:50
People have done that in some games before…
It all depends on what people find matters the most for their enjoyment of the experience they’re paying for/backing.
Hammersteyn
July 1, 2015 at 07:44
http://i.imgur.com/Dku3f9l.gif
Geoffrey Tim
July 1, 2015 at 07:49
I share that opinion. Probably the first thing we’ve agreed on this year. 😛
RinceThis
July 1, 2015 at 08:24
What you said.
Admiral Chief's Adventure
July 1, 2015 at 08:41
Humble? HAHAHAHA
😛
Spathi
July 1, 2015 at 10:22
If you buy any “non-starter ship” you’re an idiot, in my humble opinion!
Domaldel
July 1, 2015 at 21:53
Or not really buying in the first place, but founding for the sake of getting a better product (the game) and not the perks in the game.
Domaldel
July 1, 2015 at 21:32
You’re entitled your opinion, I mine.
I actually wish I could afford this ship.
As it stands the ca 500 USD I’ve invested in this game so far will have to do…
The point after all isn’t what you get back, but that you’re helping the development of a project where the scope is defined by the resources we’re willing to throw at it.
Even after the game finishes they of course intend to keep working on it and improving it.
This is like a bunch of other MMOs out there in that regard.
And I intend to play this game 10 years on, from after the launch at least.
Pledging to the game helps ensuring that.
And even if it ends up not being the game I hoped for or enjoy, then it’s going to be something that *someone* enjoys.
And a big (insert curse word here) to the game publishing industry.
So from my point of view, it’s definitely worth it regardless of how this game actually turns out.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2015 at 07:43
Meh. Space bus. I want a Retaliator & a Vanguard.
Lord Chaos
July 1, 2015 at 07:45
All I see in that ship is: “Pirate target acquired”. Then sell it for a Vanguard
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2015 at 07:46
Me too, and I’m not even vaguely piratical. Whoever flies one of those better have escorts because it’s a flying target haha.
The D
July 1, 2015 at 07:47
It’s actually got massive armour and shields. A lone ship can’t take it down. But several? Hehehehehehe.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2015 at 07:48
That’s what the Retaliator is for. Allegedly. 😉
Domaldel
July 1, 2015 at 22:03
Well, before they upgraded the Idris from a corvette to a frigate they actually said that a Aurora would have a theoretical chance of destroying it (as in that those shields and armours wouldn’t make it immune to damage, just slow things down a ton)
Of course when it became a frigate that changed.
But that should mean that something with even bigger guns then an Aurora should be able to handle this single-handedly I think if there’s no-one on board doing repair works and the pilot in question is able to consistently stay out of harms way for long enough to actually make a dent…
Of course that won’t happen in high security areas where the “police” will show up long before you’re able to wear down such a big shield, not to mention the armour in a small ship.
But out in less secure areas and things could definitely turn interesting with a good enough pilot I think.
The Retaliator probably wouldn’t be that useful in this case I think, simply because the cargo would stop being valuable if exposed to vacuum…
Of course, in the case of an assassination mission that might not matter.
Hammersteyn
July 1, 2015 at 07:47
For trolling. Wouldn’t be surprised if there’s special bounties set up for these ships.
Domaldel
July 1, 2015 at 22:04
There would probably be some I guess…
Of course, anyone doing that might end up with a bounty or two on their own head rather quickly…
RinceThis
July 1, 2015 at 08:35
But would you pay $400 for them? 0_O
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2015 at 08:55
Why would I when I can get them in-game by playing the game?
RinceThis
July 1, 2015 at 08:57
But the you can’t press X to auto-Fatality!
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2015 at 08:59
I’ll earn my ships thanks. It’ll give a nice sense of accomplishment walking around my hanger.
RinceThis
July 1, 2015 at 09:01
Which is where you better keep them, what with pirates out there!
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2015 at 09:12
Meh. Like I’m scared of a pirate in his dinky little Cutlass. It’s like being scared of an Uno.
Domaldel
July 1, 2015 at 22:13
There might be pirates of course…
And then there’s the pirate hunting bounty hunters and convoys…
*pats his Connie affectionately*
It’s not like the pirates can shoot at just anything anywhere and get away with it.
Pirates need to pay for their ammunition, fuel and so one just like everyone else.
When components of their ship is blown up they’ll have to replace them just like everyone else.
And they can’t just blow up their enemies and expect not to blow up the cargo in the process either.
Nor can they board a ship that hasn’t been immobilized entirely.
All in all it won’t be a dance on roses to be a pirate, you’ll have to be smart, do things that makes economical sense, consider your odds and the risk vs reward ratio.
And avoid getting the attention of the UEE.
For instance, if there’s a region where there’s a very high number of escape pods being destroyed you might end up with the whole UEE navy on your tail in that area.
And the other pirates NPCs and Players alike are unlikely to be happy about that and might want to deal with the problem themselves.
Nah, if I’m to break the UEE laws I’ll stick to things less visible like say smuggling. 😉
*crosses his fingers that you won’t end up as a “police” in the PU*
RinceThis
July 1, 2015 at 09:01
Which is where you better keep them, what with pirates out there!
Domaldel
July 1, 2015 at 22:05
True, for those that just want the ship you’re entirely right.
But thankfully this isn’t really about “buying” a ship, but about pledging for the development of the game.
And that applies to anything over the starting ships in price.
Domaldel
July 1, 2015 at 21:54
Fair enough, myself I’m thrilled at getting more civilian ships out there.
Unfortunatly I just don’t have any more money to spare for ships at this time, and if I cash in on my Connie I’ll lose my beta access… :-/
BacchusZA
July 1, 2015 at 07:47
lol $400? Seriously? They’re just taking the piss now.
And I say that having already thrown $100-200 at them to make this game. This is just getting ridiculous now.
Hammersteyn
July 1, 2015 at 07:48
O_o wow
BacchusZA
July 1, 2015 at 10:23
In my defence, the R-$ exchange rate wasn’t so piss-poor at the time as it is now 😛
Hammersteyn
July 1, 2015 at 11:03
hahahaha makes sense
Domaldel
July 1, 2015 at 22:17
True, I spend most of my NOK on this game back when the NOK was a lot stronger vs the USD then it is now.
With the current prices I can’t afford any expensive ships like this.
Back then that sum would have been a reasonable price for someone here even with a low income.
But that’s what happens when the oil industry is in a crises…
(Low oil prices and stuff, a heap of people have lost their jobs in the oil industry, most of our remaining oil here in Norway is hard to get out and requires large investments to extract and therefore can’t be extracted when the prices are this low)
Domaldel
July 1, 2015 at 22:13
I’ve thrown in 500, and no that’s not a huge sum.
This isn’t about ship sales after all.
Hammersteyn
July 1, 2015 at 07:50
They delay the FPS portion and announce a $400 ship the next day…. Did EA or WB buy shares in this game?
Domaldel
July 1, 2015 at 22:21
The networking code in the cryengine wasn’t doing a good enough job for them so they’re building a new one from scratch.
That doesn’t mean that the rest of the game is significantly delayed, in part because people are not buying ships for 400 USD, they’re in essence donating the money to allow them to have as many people working in parallel as they need and still have money left to serial work after the launch of the game.
That we’re also getting a ship back as a thank you is just a bonus. 😉
Hammersteyn
July 2, 2015 at 07:32
That’s pretty cool
Domaldel
July 2, 2015 at 10:41
Thanks. =)
Dutch Matrix
July 1, 2015 at 08:14
“Honey. I just paid $400.00 for a spaceship in a video game and aaaarrrrhhhhhhhh!!! Come back with my testicles, Woman!”
Domaldel
July 1, 2015 at 22:22
Well, my most expensive ship was just 300 USD, the other 200 USD I spent on other stuff in this game.
RinceThis
July 1, 2015 at 08:24
BWAHAHAHAH! And dopes out there WILL buy it.
RinceThis
July 1, 2015 at 08:31
I mean really? $400? What loser would spend that on a virtual ship? One that when made, can be duplicated with a CTRL +C and CTRL + V? LOL
Reidroc
July 1, 2015 at 08:43
That’s the problem I have with paying for something virtual. It’s a simple copy and paste for everyone. Maybe if they did something like a Disney Infinity style ship that you get as well.
RinceThis
July 1, 2015 at 08:44
Yeah. Like something physical that is unique.
Domaldel
July 1, 2015 at 22:36
Movies, music, ebooks…
They all require less work to make and keep going then some MMOs out there, and people spend less time on them, still we pay for them.
Domaldel
July 1, 2015 at 22:34
Right, so you paying for music, or videos?
They’re digital, copy and past things too.
What about e-books?
You and your neighbour getting the exact same e-book won’t cost the publishing company all that much in copying to put it that way…
Don’t get me wrong, I think copyright laws in most countries have gone too far too, but still.
HairyEwok
July 1, 2015 at 08:44
You’ll get that village idiot that would probably sell this graphics card to buy this ship.
Domaldel
July 1, 2015 at 22:31
None, because they’re not buying, they’re donating for the most part.
The ships are a thank you in return.
My 300 USD ship might be blown up a few months into playing this game.
I might not enjoy the game all that much and perhaps I’ll quit in 6 months.
Even so the donation will still be worth it, if not for any other reason then just because it proved that both crowdfounding and space sims are worth doing, and one of the results of that is things like elite dangerous and a bunch of other games that came out either on places like kickstarter or where announced after Star Citizen came out.
Every single dollar they get in is another message to the publishing industry about what they’re missing out on by being as conservative as they’ve been recently with what they’re investing in.
Genres like space sims and adventure games would hardly even exist without things like this crowdfounding.
So, the dollars I’ve spent here isn’t about getting a ship, at least for me it’s about ideology, just like there’s people walking in demonstration marches or taking part of hactivism, this is voting with our wallets.
And Star Citizen is winning a landslide victory in that particular election.
What they actually end up with achieving is less important.
Worst case scenario, it’s a game that I won’t enjoy, but probably it’s ok and a lot of people will enjoy it.
Best case scenario I’ll enjoy it a lot, but I’ll probably end up blowing up my ship in some suicide mission or other a few months in, perhaps I’ll take a break a month and then when I come back I’ll work as a flight attendant in one of these ships that they’ve just announced till I can afford a new starter ship and then I’ll work my way up with good old-fashioned trading.
HairyEwok
July 1, 2015 at 08:42
So if you buy this you will start the life of a taxi driver in space?
Domaldel
July 1, 2015 at 22:39
It’s a bit closer to a airliner or cruiseliner.
You’ll need a flight attendant to provider the passengers with things like movies, drinks, food, rudimentary medical care and so one and so forth. Not just a pilot, or you’ll end up with getting low reviews from the passengers and might struggle with getting new ones in the future.
Of course if you’re willing to sell your ticket cheap enough…
But then you’ll need money for your fuel, landing fees and so one and so forth.
Yeah, they’re aiming for realism here.
Dark_Kitarist
July 1, 2015 at 10:58
The Starliner just went up to 488$… Why not 500$!!!!!!!!
Dark_Kitarist
July 1, 2015 at 12:10
The sad thing is that the games premise of the game is über awesome… Who wouldn’t want a living breathing space game? I mean a real game where you can actually fly the god damn ship not just point and click like EVE online… And with graphics like that I mean where could they go wrong… Well they went bananas because people still buy their shit and all they get is a game still in development… for 500$ I get 5 good AAA games and go on vacation to Croatia for 7 days… Where is the logic in that???
Domaldel
July 1, 2015 at 22:43
No one is twisting your arm.
There’s people who have spend five digit sums on this game.
If you really think they’re doing it just to get nice ships then you’re wrong.
My 500 USD went into helping them develop the game, hopefully landing it relatively close to the game of my dreams.
That I’m also getting a Connie, a few Auroras, some ebooks and so one and so forth is just a bonus.
As for the delays, well delays happens in any game, we just don’t normally see them because at this stage in development we’ve rarely even heard about the game in the case of the AAA titles out there.
MrAptronym
July 1, 2015 at 17:30
I feel bad for anyone buying virtual spaceships for an unfinished game for $400 for the same reasons I feel bad for gambling addicts scratching tickets outside the 7/11.
Domaldel
July 1, 2015 at 22:46
Don’t feel bad about us.
It’s a bit like feeling bad when there’s a collection in a church or something to do repairs to the church tower, or getting a new plot for graveyards, or whatever.
Or collecting money to help found building a new cinema in town or something.
Some people choose to help out, others don’t.
In either case it’s their choice and their money.