Cloud Imperium Games released another major update for its growing space simulator Star Citizen, numbered 4.6 and titled “Lifeline for Levski.”
As the title implies, the update focuses on story-driven gameplay in which the players are called to help defeat a deadly pandemic affecting the Nyx system.
Prizes in the form of skins, outfits, and more will be awarded to players who progress far enough in supporting the cause.
On top of the story content, we also get a new ship, the RSI Hermes, based on the design of the RSI Apollo, but dedicated to cargo gameplay.
Belolw you can see a few videos introducing the update and the Hermes.
Below you can read the full patch notes:
Features and Gameplay
- Introducing new features while updating and refining existing functionality.
- Gameplay: Clearing The Air – Kel-To Ship Supplies – Scanning Signature Updates
- Ships & Vehicles: Light Amplification – Aurora Series Update – Ground Vehicle Missiles
- Core Tech & Audio: VR Updates – Better Vehicle Cleanup
- Bug Fixes & Technical Updates
Star Citizen Alpha contains over 160 bug and crash fixes since 4.5.0. 56 of which originated from the issue council.
Stability & Performance
- Client Crash Fixes: 23 fixes
- Server Crash Fixes: 2 fixes
- HDR OpenXR-Vulkan Crash Fix
- NVidia Smooth Motion Black Screen Fix
Gameplay/Missions/Cargo
- Fixed commodity kiosks in Pyro not allowing buying and selling
- Fixed contract generation errors for missing person missions
- Fixed players receiving hundreds of “Escaped from Custody” charges when killed by a guard
- Fixed Vanduul-Tech Smugglers mission unavailable after reaching required reputation rank
- Fixed Sweep and Clear missions not spawning complete number of hostile AI
- Fixed vehicles not counting as destroyed in missions due to engineering components
- Fixed Pirate Swarm in Arena Commander not spawning enemies after wave 2
- Fixed Ace Pilots missing MG Scrips and Medals in their inventory
- Fixed AI ships being disabled instead of destroyed during missions
- Fixed players receiving 100+ Escaped from Custody charges when killed by guards
- Fixed cargo and entities being deleted from freight elevator platforms after server errors
- Fixed freight elevators and inventory functionality at QV stations
- Fixed cargo being difficult to tether and lock on Origin 135c cargo grid
- Fixed Orbageddon mining laser exploit allowing repeated reward cave access
- Fixed warehouse elevator exploit allowing access without passcode
- Fixed loot room doors at ASD Onyx Facility not opening after override
- Fixed doors requiring fuses not opening after selecting override panel
- Fixed missing wall collision near ASOP areas at Checkmate, Orbituary, and Ruin stations
- Fixed security and supervisor doors staying open in contested zones
- Fixed players falling under floor in Levski Mercy Hospital
- Fixed players becoming stuck behind fences in Levski corridors
- Fixed asphyxiation in Levski hangar service sections
- Fixed missing collision on refinery railings
- Fixed Astro Armada doorway inaccessible in Area18
Inventory/Armor/Equipment/Persistence
- Fixed “move all” not moving all loot from AI to backpack
- Fixed Vanduul items not persisting between patches
- Fixed MG Scrips not persisting between patches
- Fixed items being duplicated after patch updates
- Fixed item duplication exploit when carrying items while dying
- Fixed weapons respawning in prison after escaping and dying
- Fixed inventory interactions not updating when removing items
- Fixed Clash Core armor set missing textures
- Fixed Doomsday Stitcher armor boxes appearing invisible
- Fixed Dust Up Helmet Desert having incorrect coloring
- Fixed Geist Armor ASD and Wikelo edition missing cosmetic effects
- Fixed Deadhead helmets showing hair in first-person view
- Fixed T-21 Tigerstrike weapons able to be fitted on unintended ships
- Fixed Headhunter metal chairs not appearing in game
Ships/Engineering
- Fixed multiple shields increasing damage taken, negating survivability benefits
- Fixed room connectors for external doors not updating when entering/leaving atmospheres
- Fixed engines turning off when switching from SCM to NAV mode
- Fixed hangar life support issues causing suffocation without helmet
- Fixed vehicle controls becoming unresponsive after failed quantum jump
- Fixed ships catching fire when repaired via landing services
- Fixed fire alarm sounds persisting after extinguishing fires
- Fixed Aegis Retaliator fires spreading uncontrollably
- Fixed Anvil Pisces having areas with no breathable atmosphere
- Fixed Aegis Idris torpedoes not being recognized with Idris T kit equipped
- Fixed Drake Corsair component slots losing collision after component removal
- Fixed ROC mining laser offset from aiming reticle
- Fixed vehicle death sound effects not always playing
- Fixed RSI Meteor right wing weapon slot being inaccessible
AI
- Fixed hostile AI not shooting at players
- Fixed Yormandi beam attacks not dealing damage and aiming incorrectly
- Fixed medical staff AI stuck inside patient rooms at Rest Stops and LEOs
- Fixed enemy AI not spawning in Arena Commander Pirate Swarm after wave 2
- Fixed missions not spawning complete number of hostile AI
- Fixed missing AR markers for friendly AI in missions
Technical/UI/Interface/Animation
- Fixed missing Nyx system from Select System dropdown menu
- Fixed Levski exterior not having a map
- Fixed ASOP terminals at Levski unable to retrieve ships
- Fixed ASOP terminals at Levski unable to retrieve ground vehicles
- Fixed players clipping through Grim HEX hab walls on spawn
- Fixed players unable to move after repositioning in Area18
- Fixed missing textures on clinic desks at Rest Stops and LEOs
- Fixed random ATC dialogue playing in landing zones
- Fixed planets taking several seconds to load on quantum travel arrival
- Fixed Pisces cockpit geometries appearing and disappearing
- Fixed Greycat STV placeholder text on entry markers
- Fixed missing cursor on interaction wheel
- Fixed placeholder text on turtle interactables
- Fixed animation when equipping helmets from hip
- Fixed animation when jumping while carrying helmets
- Fixed players stuck at “Repositioning player” after crash recovery
- Fixed performance issues in Area18 Plaza
- Fixed object containers unable to export due to navmesh errors
- Fixed Linux backbuffer format issues
- Fixed VRAM Bar not displaying correct information on LINUX
If you’re unfamiliar with Star Citizen, it’s a PC exclusive, crowdfunded project directed by Chris Roberts of Wing Commander fame. It’s a multiplayer sandbox space simulator that has been in development for over a decade and in alpha for several years. It just received version alpha 4.4 with the third star system, Nyx, and alpha 4.5 with engineering gameplay.
The crowdfunding total for the game is at almost at $937 million, and it’s currently sitting at $936,824,387. The game currently has 6,255,150 registered accounts, but we know that not all are paying customers.
Some are alt accounts, while others are simply created to enjoy the “Free Fly” periods in which the game is available for free without requiring a purchase for a limited time.
It’s notable that Star Citizen’s funding tally for 2025 has beaten all records from previous years by a large margin.
A single-player campaign titled Squadron 42 is also in active development with a 2026 release window, starring an exceptional cast of famous actors, including Mark Hamill, Henry Cavill, Gary Oldman, Liam Cunningham, Gillian Anderson, and more.
Since the project has been in development for over a decade, you can see how Squadron 42 has evolved since its first reveal.
Full disclosure: the author of this article has backed Star Citizen’s crowdfunding campaign.