Author: Game Infliction

Star Citizen has finally hit alpha 4.0 after what its chief developer, Chris Roberts, admitted was “a much longer than anticipated development process.”

Cloud Imperium Games’ space sim is considered one of the most controversial projects in all video games. Over the 12 years since its crowdfunding drive began, Star Citizen has been called many things including a scam by those who wonder whether it will ever properly launch. Its virtual space ships, some of which cost hundreds of dollars, are often the focus of criticism.

Indeed, Star Citizen has now raised an eye-watering $767 million, according to figures from CIG. The developer makes revenue publicly available on its website. CIG calls this money “funds raised.”

In March this year, CIG began talking about Star Citizen’s 1.0 launch being within sight, although there’s still no release window for it. 1.0, Roberts has said, “is what we consider the features and content set to represent ‘commercial’ release.”

In a letter from the Chairman post, Roberts said: “Long ago, lost in the mists of time before COVID, at CitizenCon 2949, we showcased the first in-game prototype of traveling from the Stanton System to the Pyro System via a Jump Point.

“After a much longer than anticipated development process, what was teased in 2019 becomes a reality for all players when we launch Star Citizen Alpha 4.0 to the live servers, as part of what we are calling the 4.0 Preview.”

Star Citizen Alpha 4.0 brings with it a full wipe and reset to all accounts. All players start fresh with their account hangars and wallets +20,000 aUEC (Alpha United Earth Credits, Star Citizen’s virtual currency used during the alpha stage). Headline additions include Pyro, the second Star System added to the Star Citizen Universe, the first jump point in the persistent universe, connecting the Stanton and Pyro systems together, an economy overhaul, and much more. Check out the patch notes over on the Roberts Space Industries website.

In October, CIG said that Squadron 42, the standalone, single-player story game set in the Star Citizen universe, launches at some point in 2026, which, if it makes that release window, would be an incredible 14 years after CIG first launched Star Citizen’s crowdfunding drive.

Roberts, known for creating the Wing Commander series, has said Squadron 42 will offer 30-40 hours of gameplay. It stars Gillian Anderson, Henry Cavill, Gary Oldman, and Mark Strong.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket has released its third player-versus-player event today, December 20, which awards Emblems based on the Mythical Island expansion.

The Mythical Island Emblem Event follows the same format as the first PvP event released for the digital trading card game, simply challenging players with racking up 45 total wins over three weeks to obtain the best rewards. The event ends on January 10.

Players can obtain Pack Hourglasses just for competing in the event, however. Three are rewarded for participating in one battle and three battles, six are rewarded for participating in five, and 12 are rewarded for participating in 10.

Shinedust is on offer for those who win battles: one win rewards 50, three rewards 100, five rewards 200, 10 rewards 500, 25 rewards 1,000, and 50 rewards 2,000. Players will also obtain Emblems for winning, earning a white emblem for one win, a bronze emblem for five wins, a silver emblem for 25 wins, and a gold emblem for 45 wins.

Mythical Island arrived as the first major expansion for Pokémon TCG Pocket and with it came a meta shake up. Pikachu ex appears to have fallen off a little thanks to a number of cards being added which appear designed specifically to take it down, while Mewtwo ex received a subtle boost.

Celebi ex has also emerged as a new threat to the meta, but now the initially overlooked Mew ex is also entering the spotlight.

Pokémon TCG Pocket arrived October 30 and is a certified hit for developer Creatures Inc. and The Pokémon Company, having earned an estimated $200 million in its first month across more than 60 million downloads.

This huge amount of money comes as Pokémon TCG Pocket follows the standard mobile and free to play game model, flooding players with rewards in the first few days before soon drying up, with spending real world money the only real way to re-experience that early thrill outside of the occasional set drop like Mythical Island.

Completing Genetic Apex, the first set of cards which totals 226 officially but also contains 60 rare alternate art cards, will take players not spending money around two years according to one estimate, while those looking to make it rain can wrap up the collection after dropping around $1,500.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.