14 DAY TRIAL // The crowd-funded Star Citizen is expected to only go into full beta stage towards the end of 2014, but the development team at Roberts Space Industries will begin adding modules to the alpha version of the game this year in order to give backers content to play with.
Initially, gamers will be able to download and use a Hangar Module, a sort of ship creation and visualization utility designed to show off the graphics of the game while the team continues to work on the actual gameplay.
Chris Roberts, the leading developer working on the game, tells Joystiq that, “You won't be able to fly but you'll be able to see them. You'll get to see your ship, probably be able to customize it to some level, play with it and visualize it in the engine.”
During December of this year, Roberts Space Industries will introduce the Dogfighting Module, which will offer battles with other players, using core deathmatch mechanics.
The developer adds, “It won't have the persistent universe, it won't have the story, but we'll use it to balance the combat, the weapons, the ships also stress-test the online infrastructure.”
The Dogfighting Module will receive updates as the team continues to work on the rest of the Star Citizen experience.
More modules will be added as the team continues to test new elements of the game and all those who have backed Star Citizen will get access to them as they are launched.
Star Citizen will offer an old-school space simulation experience, allowing players to choose their career and then explore a procedurally created universe shared with a number of other players.
Roberts Space Industries has managed to raise more than 8.5 million dollars (6.3 million Euro) for the title. The full game currently lacks a launch date.