Citizens, it’s time to strap in for the fiercest competition among the ‘verse’s finest vessels! That’s right; Ship Showdown is back! This year, the stakes are higher than ever as new contenders like the F8C Lightning aim to dethrone seasoned champions. Will the Aegis Redeemer's legacy of power and resilience shine through, or will the Drake Vulture return victorious after falling just short of triumph last year? The reigning champion, Drake Corsair, stands ready to defend its title against all challengers. Ship Showdown is a month-long event to determine the most beloved flyable or drivable vehicle in the ’verse. There are ships to win, a Free Fly featuring the Sweet Sixteen, exclusive Best in Show paints and in-game manufacturer-themed posters for the Final Four, and a special champion’s gift for the crowned victor of this year’s vessel-mania! YOU decide the outcome, starting with Phase 1 of Ship Showdown, and it begins NOW! Welcome to Ship Showdown 2954 - Phase 1 July 30 through August 13 Your voice is essential in crowning this year's ultimate aerospace champion! How? Write an original song, build something with blocks, take an epic in-game (or real-life) shot, make a trailer, music video... Hell - build the ship for real if you're up to it! Your submission can be ANYTHING, provided it celebrates your favorite flyable ship or drivable vehicle. Make some noise for your favorite vehicle by submitting your original creations to the Community Hub or on X using #ShipShowdown by August 13 at 20:00 UTC (1:00 P.M. Pacific). Want to boost the chances of your favorite daily flyer or driver making it into the top 16? This year, we’re introducing a new factor to our selection process. In addition to your posts, pictures, builds, and other creative content, we’ll also be considering overall flight and drive time, as well as related gameplay activities. So, Prospector fans, start mining; haulers, get hauling; and if you're piloting a ship without a specific task, simply take to the skies! Remember, though, that while gameplay will help, you'll still want to make sure you're making your creative voice heard! Need some inspiration? Here's a selection of outstanding submissions that we've received from previous years. The 16 vehicles with the most activity will make it into Ship Showdown Phase 2 - Live Showdown (from August 15 through August 29), where they will go head-to-head in the biggest annual space smackdown in the 'verse. This year, to ensure a diverse lineup of ships going head-to-head, we're breaking out the Top 16 into distinct ship pools: :gear: Heavy Duty Division (Industrial) :checkered_flag: Speed Demons Division (Racing) :gun: Run & Gun Division (Combat)