Polaris Release at IAE 2954

Breaking news: First RSI Polaris day is 26th November!

The Event Program for IAE 2954 has revealed that the RSI / Polaris days will be from the 26th-27th November 2024/2954.

IAE2954 schedule announced:

Intergalactic Aerospace Expo 2024

Join us for the galaxy’s premier spacecraft showcase from November 22 – December 5, 2024. This spectacular event offers unprecedented access to the latest in aerospace technology and innovation.

1. Free test flights of over 100 different spacecraft models 1. Exclusive reveals of new vehicle designs 1. Limited-edition paint schemes and exclusive in-game content - Daily manufacturer showcases across New Babbage’s APEX and ZENITH halls - Special broadcasts available through Whitley’s Guide and various comm channels

Event Schedule 2024 / 2954

1. Nov 22-23: CRUSADER INDUSTRIES & TUMBRIL (APEX HALL) 1. Nov 23-24: AEGIS DYNAMICS (ZENITH HALL) 1. Nov 24-25: Alien Manufacturers Day – GATAC, AOPOA, BANU, ESPERIA (APEX HALL) 1. Nov 25-26: ORIGIN JUMPWORKS (ZENITH HALL) 1. Nov 26-27: RSI (APEX HALL) 1. Nov 27-28: ARGO, GREYCAT, KRUGER, CONSOLIDATED OUTLAND (ZENITH HALL) 1. Nov 28-29: DRAKE INTERPLANETARY (APEX HALL) 1. Nov 29-30: MISC & MIRAI (ZENITH HALL) 1. Nov 30-Dec 1: ANVIL AEROSPACE (APEX HALL) 1. Dec 1-2: Best in Show / Weapons & Armor (ZENITH HALL) 1. Dec 3-5: EVENT FINALE (ZENITH HALL)

The latest IAE 2954 News Updates

Visit the IAE2954 page to learn more and keep up to date with the very latest news and announcements regarding the IAE2954.

History of the Polaris: From Concept to Flight-Ready

Origins and Early Concept (2016-2018)

The story of the RSI Polaris begins in 2016, during the production phase of the Aegis Idris. As the Idris grew significantly in size, a gap emerged in the UEE Navy’s fleet between larger capital ships and smaller sub-capital vessels. Recognizing this void, Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) decided to create a brand new ship to fill this crucial role – thus, the concept of the Polaris was born.

In February 2016, during the 77th episode of “10 for the Chairman,” Chris Roberts first hinted at the role corvettes would play in Star Citizen. He described them as filling the space between capital and sub-capital ships, offering a more economical option that could still hold its own in combat. The idea was that while not as massive as a carrier, the Polaris would feature the ability to dock a smaller ship and engage effectively against both fighters and larger vessels.

By March 2016, Ben Lesnick, then the Director of Community Engagement and Content Strategy, revealed on “Bensday with Batgirl & Ben” that the team was considering a length of 100 to 120 meters for the Polaris. This initial size estimate would soon change as the concept evolved.

The Polaris was officially unveiled to the Star Citizen community in October 2016, with a Q&A session revealing that the ship had grown to 155 meters in length. This increase in size reflected the expanding vision for the Polaris’s capabilities and role within the game.

Refinement and Growth (2019-2021)

As development of Star Citizen continued, so did the evolution of the Polaris. In a December 2020 livestream Q&A, John Crewe, the Vehicle Pipeline Director, confirmed that the ship had grown even further but remained within the “hundreds of meters” range, likely between 156-199 meters. This growth was indicative of the ship’s increasing importance in CIG’s vision for capital ship gameplay.

During this period, the Polaris began to take shape not just in terms of its physical dimensions, but also its role within the game’s lore and mechanics. It was positioned as a fast-response capital ship, capable of serving as both a naval patrol vessel and a flagship for civilian militia operations. Its versatility was emphasized, with the ability to perform search & rescue operations, conduct strike missions, and provide general security patrols.

One of the Polaris’s most distinctive features – its torpedo capabilities – was also solidified during this time. The ship was designed to carry and launch capital ship-killer torpedoes, making it a significant threat even to much larger vessels.

Interior Design and Systems Integration (2022-2023)

A major milestone in the Polaris’s development came in December 2022, during an episode of Inside Star Citizen titled “Finding the North Star.” In this episode, Mark Gibson, John Crewe, and Ben Curtis provided a detailed 3D Studio Max mesh walkthrough of the Polaris model. This presentation offered fans their first real look at the ship’s interior layout and confirmed several important details about its systems.

Gibson confirmed that the Polaris would be equipped with capital-sized shields, coolers, and power plants, cementing its status as a true capital ship despite its relatively smaller size compared to vessels like the Idris or Javelin. The team also discussed finalizing the interior layout, which included features such as a medical bay, mess hall, armory, and a hangar capable of housing a single fighter.

In May 2023, CIG announced that the Polaris was scheduled for production in 2024, signaling that the ship was moving from concept to actual in-game development. This news was met with excitement from the Star Citizen community, who had been eagerly awaiting the Polaris since its initial reveal years earlier.

Final Stretch and Release (2024)

As 2024 began, the Polaris entered its final stages of development. The January 2024 Star Citizen Monthly Report revealed that the ship had entered the greybox stage, a crucial phase where the basic 3D geometry is created and the ship begins to take its final form. The report mentioned the completion of modular pieces for lifts, habitation areas, corridors, and the hangar.

In May 2024, during a segment called “Ironclad is Rad,” John Crewe provided an update on the Polaris’s weaponry. He mentioned that the team was “doing some upgunning on the Polaris,” emphasizing that while it was primarily designed as a torpedo boat, it would also be capable of holding its own against other capital ships with its turrets. This news suggested that the Polaris would be even more versatile in combat than initially conceived.

The most exciting news for Polaris fans came during the “Star Citizen Live Q&A: Invictus All-Vehicles” stream on May 17, 2024. John Crewe confirmed that the Polaris would be flight-ready for IAE (Intergalactic Aerospace Expo) 2954, which typically takes place in November. This announcement set the stage for one of the most anticipated ship releases in Star Citizen’s history.

IAE 2954: The Polaris Takes Flight

As IAE 2954 approached, the excitement in the Star Citizen community reached a fever pitch. The Polaris, a ship that had been in development for over eight years, was finally ready to make its in-game debut. The event showcased the Polaris in all its glory, allowing players to tour the ship, test its systems, and even take it for short flights in designated areas.

The final specifications of the Polaris impressed even the most skeptical backers. At 166 meters in length, it was larger than initially conceived but still maintained its role as a nimble capital ship. Its array of capital-grade components, combined with a versatile loadout of weapons including torpedo launchers and multiple turrets, made it a formidable presence on the battlefield.

The ship’s interior lived up to expectations, featuring a well-designed layout that balanced combat effectiveness with crew comfort. The hangar, capable of housing a single fighter, added a layer of tactical flexibility that set the Polaris apart from other ships in its class.

Legacy and Impact

The release of the Polaris at IAE 2954 marked a significant milestone in Star Citizen’s development. As one of the most anticipated ships in the game’s history, its journey from concept to flight-ready status mirrored the broader development of Star Citizen itself – ambitious, sometimes delayed, but ultimately impressive in its execution.

The Polaris’s introduction to the persistent universe had a profound impact on gameplay, particularly in the realms of org (organization) operations and large-scale conflicts. Its balance of firepower, speed, and versatility made it a popular choice for both UEE Navy simulations and civilian militia operations.

In the lore of Star Citizen, the Polaris-class ships quickly earned a reputation as reliable and effective vessels. Many were named after historical figures and military heroes, with ships like the UEES Reilly becoming renowned throughout UEE space.

The success of the Polaris also validated CIG’s Militia Mobilization Initiative, under which a limited number of these military-grade vessels were made available for purchase on the civilian market. This program, initiated in 2946 in the game’s lore, proved to be a crucial element in the defense of frontier systems and contested regions across the empire.