Well now. Not too long after my last monthly update, in which I examined the likely candidates for a 2.4 persistence build, alleged patch notes from the next upcoming major release from the world of Star Citizen have been discovered!

　　The folks over at Cloud Imperium Games recently changed the method for which they have been selecting the advanced testing groups. If you’ve been following the game, you likely already know that there are two environments for Star Citizen, the PTU and the PU. The PTU is the “proving ground” if you will of new builds which are not deemed suitable for a wider release, generally because they’re quite unstable. Major new versions always see a PTU implementation and several iterations of bug fixes before being promoted to the PU.

　　

Non-Disclosure Agreement!

Previously, CIG has both attempted to place restrictions (1.2 release to PTU of the Social module) and not place restrictions on advanced testers. For the 1.2 release, it was done as a polite request not to stream etc. Well now it seems that CIG have gotten a bit stricter with their requirements and those who are getting advanced tester status are people who have been consistently submitting regular high quality bug reports from each PTU test build they have had. These advanced testers are allegedly now under NDA to not release information prior to the rolling out of the 2.4 build to the main PU for all backers.

　　This has been a slightly controversial decision as of course many backers want access to the latest versions as soon as possible, however from CIG’s perspective it makes sense. They basically now have a bunch of unpaid and dedicated QA testers whom they can rely on. If they’re going to be sharing extra info with these people, the NDA makes sense, everyone else will likely see the build in short order as the PTU stabilises while bugs get fixed.

　　Additionally, it should be noted that functionality that exists in PTU builds is NOT guaranteed to make it through to the PU release if there are too many problems exposed in it upon testing.

　　The Starfarer refueling ship... allegedly flight ready in 2.4

LEAK

So, to the leak itself. The notes are extensive, and very typical of an email from CIG with notes for what the new functionality and current known defects of a PTU test build are. That much said, these notes are UNCONFIRMED, so please do not the rumour tag on this article. On balance though, we feel that these are genuine for several reasons:

　　Much of what is in there has been hinted at by CIG in the various updates they put out over the last month or two with regards to 2.4 being the version which introduces persistence to the game.File paths and links in the leak point to genuine file locations and domains, although access to the websites is restricted by account login for those selected to use the PTU.We know from CIG that 2.4 is currently in testing on the PTU.The content all “makes sense” from an overall Star Citizen perspective.The content list is extensive which we would expect given such a milestone in the development of Star Citizen.It would appear that if the notes are genuine, CIG have now implemented a separate Issue Council (their bug tracking front end) site for the PTU test. This of course makes sense if they're trying to keep the information private.I have picked out a few highlights from the alleged leak which people may be interested in, full alleged patch notes follow on page 2 for those interested in the minutiae.

　　

Highlights

Alpha currency (aUEC) has been introduced. Every account starts with 2750 aUEC and can be earned by performing missions. This will be periodically reset for balance testing.Ship repairing, restocking of ammunition and refuelling now costs aUEC.3 shops are now available in Port Olisar allowing for players to purchase clothes, weapons and armour.2 (different) shops are now available on ArcCorp’s Area 18.The much hated holotable has been removed, ship loadouts to be done via the “Port Modification” app on their mobiGlas.Players will have the option of working for Crusader Industries to protect Security Post Kareah from criminals seeking to wipe their records. This job will pay alpha UEC (Star Citizen currency). Outlaws will have the option to take a mission to kill security at SPK which will also award aUEC.Defender (lawful) and Outlaw reputation levels will now persist! Defenders between sessions, outlaws for an hour per wanted level.The MISC Reliant ship is now hangar ready, while both the Starfarer (base version) and the Starfarer Gemini (military spec armoured version) are flight ready.

Contents

　　1. Intro2. The Full Alleged Patch Notes

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