Star Citizen jumps straight to alpha 5.0 and reveals free-fly expo dates
Cloud Imperium Games has surprised its community by renaming Star Citizen's next major update: it won't be alpha 4.11, but alpha 5.0 instead.
The developer justified this version number leap by citing the exceptional scope of content planned for this release, reports Massively Overpowered. This relabeling could also serve to mask a potential deployment delay, though the studio hasn't officially commented on timing concerns.
Community event on the horizon
Alongside this announcement, Cloud Imperium revealed dates for the next Intergalactic Aerospace Expo, the annual event allowing players to test Star Citizen for free and try different ships without spending a dime. This free-fly period traditionally serves as a key moment for discovering the space game's universe and attracting new pilots.
What to watch
For Star Citizen's community, accustomed to extended development cycles, this jump to version 5.0 suggests substantial gameplay additions. The alpha continues its gradual evolution, and players will be able to judge the real significance of these changes when the update deploys. Meanwhile, the Intergalactic Aerospace Expo will offer another opportunity to take the controls for free.