Getting Started Guide / STARTGUIDE

Getting started with Star Citizen

New to Star Citizen? Start with these five checks: your computer, your account, game access, installation and your first session. This guide gives you the essentials here, with optional links to detailed explanations and practical tools.

1. Check your computer and try a Free Fly when available

Star Citizen is still in development. Expect bugs and variable performance. Check official requirements and leave room for installation and updates on an SSD.

An eligible Free Fly lets you try the game without buying a Game Package. Use confirmed event announcements, not estimated dates, to plan your trial.

Check the official system requirements

See the next Free Fly information

2. Create your RSI account and enter a referral code

Create your account on RSI. A referral code belongs in account registration, not the store’s coupon field.

Use STAR-JTV7-FXLR to open official registration with the code included. Check the field before completing signup.

RSI’s referral FAQ describes a 50,000 UEC signup bonus. Check its current eligibility and crediting conditions before relying on the bonus. This is in-game currency, not a checkout discount or free game access. The standard benefit is not exclusive to this code; you can use a friend’s valid player code instead.

See where to enter the referral code

3. Check that your purchase includes game access

A Game Package includes Star Citizen access. A standalone ship does not grant access by itself.

Before paying, check:

• Star Citizen game access is explicitly included.
• The ship and package contents suit what you want to try.
• The final checkout price fits your budget, including any taxes.
• Any discount conditions, including restrictions on store credit, are clear.

You do not need an expensive ship to begin. Compare what is included rather than choosing solely by ship size or a promotional headline.

Compare starter-package prices and contents

Try the interactive starter-pack finder

4. Install with the official launcher

Sign in to the correct RSI account and confirm your Game Package or active trial access. Install through the official launcher and allow additional storage for updates.

If the launcher reports missing access, first check the account and purchase contents. A standalone ship, a different login or an expired trial can be relevant. For account-specific problems, use official RSI support rather than sharing your credentials.

Follow RSI’s account and installation checklist

5. Keep your first session manageable

Follow the available tutorial. Learn basic interaction and movement before attempting a complicated mission. Find the ship-retrieval facilities, retrieve your ship and practise a short departure and landing.

Controls, interfaces and tutorials can change between builds. Use current in-game prompts and official guidance if a screenshot or instruction no longer matches.

Prepare with the first-session checklist

Read RSI’s Getting Started in the Verse guide

Common starting questions

Already created an account without a referral code?

RSI’s referral FAQ describes a 24-hour window after account creation for adding a code when none is attached. An existing code cannot be replaced. Check current official conditions before relying on that window.

Check eligibility for an existing account

Read the official Referral Program FAQ

Will the referral bonus immediately increase my alpha wallet?

Do not assume so. RSI distinguishes account UEC from temporary alpha aUEC; crediting and starting balances can depend on the circumstances and build. Package UEC is also a separate consideration.

Understand UEC, aUEC and package currency

Is a referral code the same as a coupon?

No. Referral currency is not money off a purchase. Subscriber coupons, discounted Game Packages and temporary referral promotions have different conditions.

Understand coupons and actual discounts

Should I buy now or wait?

Check whether an announced Free Fly would help you decide. Compare actual package prices and your budget rather than assuming every ship sale is a discount.

Read the practical buying pros and cons

About these resources

This is an independent player resource, not official CIG or RSI guidance. The three linked guide websites share one operator. Qualifying referrals may earn the code holder in-game rewards. Membership and use of this code are optional.

Official RSI pages govern final prices, game access, referral eligibility and event conditions. This guide does not claim that every instruction or the referral code has been freshly tested in-game.