StarCitizen:Virtual reality - Revision history

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	=== Promise ===		=== Promise ===
	Virtual reality was part of the ''[[StarCitizen:Star Citizen]]'' initial [[StarCitizen:Crowdfunding campaign\|crowdfunding]] campaign, with the kickstarter indicating: "''We have backed Oculus Rift and will support it in Star Citizen / Squadron 42. Who doesn't want to sit in their cockpit, hands on your joystick and throttle, swiveling your head, to track that enemy fighter that just blew by?",'' and having Oculus Rift support for the [[StarCitizen:Hangar Module\|hangar module]] was the 12 Millions [[StarCitizen:Stretch Goals\|stretch goal]]''.''<ref>{{Cite RSI\|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/en/comm-link/transmission/13124-12-Million\|text="[...]We’re going to push for Oculus Rift support in the upcoming hangar module [...]"\|accessdate=2013-07-01}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite RSI\|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/en/funding-goals\|text=The Hangar Module will feature Oculus Rift support.\|accessdate=2013-07-02}}</ref><ref>"''[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cig/star-citizen/description?comment=Q29tbWVudC00MjQ0NzQzMQ%3D%3D&reply=Q29tbWVudC00MjQ1MDA1OQ%3D%3D We have backed Oculus Rift and will support it in Star Citizen / Squadron 42. Who doesn't want to sit in their cockpit, hands on your joystick and throttle, swiveling your head, to track that enemy fighter that just blew by?]",'' Star Citizen Kickstarter, 2012</ref>		Virtual reality was part of the ''[[StarCitizen:Star Citizen]]'' initial [[StarCitizen:Crowdfunding campaign\|crowdfunding]] campaign, with the kickstarter indicating: "''We have backed Oculus Rift and will support it in Star Citizen / Squadron 42. Who doesn't want to sit in their cockpit, hands on your joystick and throttle, swiveling your head, to track that enemy fighter that just blew by?",'' and having Oculus Rift support for the [[StarCitizen:Hangar Module\|hangar module]] was the 12 Millions [[StarCitizen:Stretch Goals\|stretch goal]]''.''<ref>{{SC/Cite RSI\|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/en/comm-link/transmission/13124-12-Million\|text="[...]We’re going to push for Oculus Rift support in the upcoming hangar module [...]"\|accessdate=2013-07-01}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{SC/Cite RSI\|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/en/funding-goals\|text=The Hangar Module will feature Oculus Rift support.\|accessdate=2013-07-02}}</ref><ref>"''[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cig/star-citizen/description?comment=Q29tbWVudC00MjQ0NzQzMQ%3D%3D&reply=Q29tbWVudC00MjQ1MDA1OQ%3D%3D We have backed Oculus Rift and will support it in Star Citizen / Squadron 42. Who doesn't want to sit in their cockpit, hands on your joystick and throttle, swiveling your head, to track that enemy fighter that just blew by?]",'' Star Citizen Kickstarter, 2012</ref>

	=== VR Platforms ===		=== VR Platforms ===
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	=== First implementation and removal ===		=== First implementation and removal ===
	An early iteration of VR support did get added to the hangar module in [[Update:Star Citizen Patch 11.1\|patch 11.1]] in 2014, however as more things were changed, the VR broke and rather than constantly fixing it in an evolving code it was removed, with dev time being spent on things like [[StarCitizen:Prodecural Planets\|procedural planets]] instead that every player can experience.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS6FpCpt5m4&t=1560s Star Citizen: Reverse the Verse LIVE - Squadron 42 Q&A], Star Citizen, Youtube, 27 January 2018</ref><ref name=":2">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTMlZru2aG4&t=175s Wingman's Hangar ep058 . February 26, 2014], Star Citizen, Youtube</ref><ref>{{Cite RSI\|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/en/comm-link/engineering/13600-Hangar-Patch-111-Released\|text=Patch 11.1 adds support for the Oculus Rift to the Hangar module\|accessdate=2014-02-26}}</ref>		An early iteration of VR support did get added to the hangar module in [[Update:Star Citizen Patch 11.1\|patch 11.1]] in 2014, however as more things were changed, the VR broke and rather than constantly fixing it in an evolving code it was removed, with dev time being spent on things like [[StarCitizen:Prodecural Planets\|procedural planets]] instead that every player can experience.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS6FpCpt5m4&t=1560s Star Citizen: Reverse the Verse LIVE - Squadron 42 Q&A], Star Citizen, Youtube, 27 January 2018</ref><ref name=":2">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTMlZru2aG4&t=175s Wingman's Hangar ep058 . February 26, 2014], Star Citizen, Youtube</ref><ref>{{SC/Cite RSI\|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/en/comm-link/engineering/13600-Hangar-Patch-111-Released\|text=Patch 11.1 adds support for the Oculus Rift to the Hangar module\|accessdate=2014-02-26}}</ref>

	=== Mentions ===		=== Mentions ===
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	In November 2025, OpenXR files were found by players in the tech preview.<ref>[https://discord.com/channels/863347707901116436/863355989487124480/1438637976526524467 Tech build screenshot of OpenXR], MaskedMan, VRse Discord, November 13 2025</ref>		In November 2025, OpenXR files were found by players in the tech preview.<ref>[https://discord.com/channels/863347707901116436/863355989487124480/1438637976526524467 Tech build screenshot of OpenXR], MaskedMan, VRse Discord, November 13 2025</ref>

	In December 2025, Silvan announced that the [[Update:Star Citizen Alpha 4.5.0\|Alpha 4.5.0]] [[StarCitizen:PTU]] would be introducing early experimental VR support. It would not be the full implementation, but would allow the community to get hands-on with what was available and guide the features direction.<ref>{{Cite RSI\|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/spectrum/community/SC/forum/190048/thread/star-citizen-vr-support-experimental-release/8520498\|text=Star Citizen VR Support - Experimental Release (4.5 PTU)\|accessdate=2025-12-11}}</ref>		In December 2025, Silvan announced that the [[Update:Star Citizen Alpha 4.5.0\|Alpha 4.5.0]] [[StarCitizen:PTU]] would be introducing early experimental VR support. It would not be the full implementation, but would allow the community to get hands-on with what was available and guide the features direction.<ref>{{SC/Cite RSI\|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/spectrum/community/SC/forum/190048/thread/star-citizen-vr-support-experimental-release/8520498\|text=Star Citizen VR Support - Experimental Release (4.5 PTU)\|accessdate=2025-12-11}}</ref>

	In January 2026 Silvan said he had been able to add VR basically without any CPU overhead while if the GPU is struggling DLSS can be used, and that he's pretty sure than in 2026 they can add foveated rendering and QuadViews which will make it better and faster.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG2xAtcSwPA Star Citizen \| Silvan Hau interview: Why you shoud play Star Citizen in VR], Pimax, 3 january 2026</ref>		In January 2026 Silvan said he had been able to add VR basically without any CPU overhead while if the GPU is struggling DLSS can be used, and that he's pretty sure than in 2026 they can add foveated rendering and QuadViews which will make it better and faster.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG2xAtcSwPA Star Citizen \| Silvan Hau interview: Why you shoud play Star Citizen in VR], Pimax, 3 january 2026</ref>
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	== Technological requirements ==		== Technological requirements ==
	Engine Programmer [[StarCitizen:Silvan Hau]] said that implementing VR into the rendering itself isn't a big deal, but having support from the game itself in terms of gameplay is, namely tying it into the animation system and what locomotion the game offer. There are lots of unknown questions which need to be solved and require a collaboration from various teams. He expects VR to be implemented in stages, e.g. for a first step just being able to view ships in the hangar or using it in a cockpit. But a full VR implementation similar to ''Half Life Alyx'' is a whole different story.<ref name=":0">{{Cite RSI\|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/spectrum/community/SC/forum/3/thread/after-playing-the-first-few-hours-of-half-life-aly/2906197\|text=After playing the first few hours of Half-Life: Alyx, I hope CIG will keep their promise of Kickstarter regarding Virtual Reality\|accessdate=2020-03-23}}</ref>		Engine Programmer [[StarCitizen:Silvan Hau]] said that implementing VR into the rendering itself isn't a big deal, but having support from the game itself in terms of gameplay is, namely tying it into the animation system and what locomotion the game offer. There are lots of unknown questions which need to be solved and require a collaboration from various teams. He expects VR to be implemented in stages, e.g. for a first step just being able to view ships in the hangar or using it in a cockpit. But a full VR implementation similar to ''Half Life Alyx'' is a whole different story.<ref name=":0">{{SC/Cite RSI\|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/spectrum/community/SC/forum/3/thread/after-playing-the-first-few-hours-of-half-life-aly/2906197\|text=After playing the first few hours of Half-Life: Alyx, I hope CIG will keep their promise of Kickstarter regarding Virtual Reality\|accessdate=2020-03-23}}</ref>

	Sylvan said that before CIG can even can consider VR they have much bigger fish to fry like [[StarCitizen:Vulkan]], more optimizations and other new rendering technologies including [[StarCitizen:Gen12]].<ref>[https://youtu.be/eSxDQx0AFXs?feature=shared Star Citizen VR QnA Session with Silvan from CIG], Chachi Sanchez, Youtube, 19 December 2021</ref><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite RSI\|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/spectrum/community/SC/forum/50259/thread/adding-vr-support/5889320\|text=But yes before we even can consider that we have much bigger fish to fry like Vulkan, more Optimizations and other new rendering technologies.\|accessdate=2023-04-17}}</ref>		Sylvan said that before CIG can even can consider VR they have much bigger fish to fry like [[StarCitizen:Vulkan]], more optimizations and other new rendering technologies including [[StarCitizen:Gen12]].<ref>[https://youtu.be/eSxDQx0AFXs?feature=shared Star Citizen VR QnA Session with Silvan from CIG], Chachi Sanchez, Youtube, 19 December 2021</ref><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{SC/Cite RSI\|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/spectrum/community/SC/forum/50259/thread/adding-vr-support/5889320\|text=But yes before we even can consider that we have much bigger fish to fry like Vulkan, more Optimizations and other new rendering technologies.\|accessdate=2023-04-17}}</ref>

	== Community solutions ==		== Community solutions ==

imported>Karinoir: Squadron 42 in VR Enter ATMOSPHERE 2956

2026-02-24T13:20:15Z

Squadron 42 in VR Enter ATMOSPHERE 2956

New page

[[File:comm-Link-oculus-IMG_2763-2.jpg|thumb|Chris Roberts wearing an Oculus Rift]]'''Virtual reality''', also called '''VR''', is one of the promised feature in [[StarCitizen:Star Citizen|''Star Citizen'']] and [[StarCitizen:Squadron 42|''Squadron 42'']].<ref name=":1" />

== History ==

=== Promise ===
Virtual reality was part of the ''[[StarCitizen:Star Citizen]]'' initial [[StarCitizen:Crowdfunding campaign|crowdfunding]] campaign, with the kickstarter indicating: "''We have backed Oculus Rift and will support it in Star Citizen / Squadron 42. Who doesn't want to sit in their cockpit, hands on your joystick and throttle, swiveling your head, to track that enemy fighter that just blew by?",'' and having Oculus Rift support for the [[StarCitizen:Hangar Module|hangar module]] was the 12 Millions [[StarCitizen:Stretch Goals|stretch goal]]''.''<ref>{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/en/comm-link/transmission/13124-12-Million|text="[...]We’re going to push for Oculus Rift support in the upcoming hangar module [...]"|accessdate=2013-07-01}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/en/funding-goals|text=The Hangar Module will feature Oculus Rift support.|accessdate=2013-07-02}}</ref><ref>"''[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cig/star-citizen/description?comment=Q29tbWVudC00MjQ0NzQzMQ%3D%3D&reply=Q29tbWVudC00MjQ1MDA1OQ%3D%3D We have backed Oculus Rift and will support it in Star Citizen / Squadron 42. Who doesn't want to sit in their cockpit, hands on your joystick and throttle, swiveling your head, to track that enemy fighter that just blew by?]",'' Star Citizen Kickstarter, 2012</ref>

=== VR Platforms ===
Despite the early focus being on the [[StarCitizen:Oculus Rift]], when asked about supporting other VR platforms Chris Roberts answered that they're looking at them and that it's easier to add them once one is already supported.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSWDk8K46CI&t=584s 10 For the Chairman Episode 29. July 14th, 2014], Star Citizen, Youtube</ref> CIG is not committed to one platform.<ref name=":3">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joKjDdKcOMQ&t=900s 10 for the Chairman: Episode 58 (2015.03.30)], Star Citizen, Youtube</ref>

=== First implementation and removal ===
An early iteration of VR support did get added to the hangar module in [[Update:Star Citizen Patch 11.1|patch 11.1]] in 2014, however as more things were changed, the VR broke and rather than constantly fixing it in an evolving code it was removed, with dev time being spent on things like [[StarCitizen:Prodecural Planets|procedural planets]] instead that every player can experience.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS6FpCpt5m4&t=1560s Star Citizen: Reverse the Verse LIVE - Squadron 42 Q&A], Star Citizen, Youtube, 27 January 2018</ref><ref name=":2">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTMlZru2aG4&t=175s Wingman's Hangar ep058 . February 26, 2014], Star Citizen, Youtube</ref><ref>{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/en/comm-link/engineering/13600-Hangar-Patch-111-Released|text=Patch 11.1 adds support for the Oculus Rift to the Hangar module|accessdate=2014-02-26}}</ref>

=== Mentions ===
During the [[StarCitizen:Holiday Livestream 2015]] Chris Roberts said that [[StarCitizen:CryEngine]] were doing a lot of VR and that [[StarCitizen:Cloud Imperium Games Ltd.|Cloud Imperium Games]] needs to integrate that work, however it's complicated since CIG changed the [[StarCitizen::Category:Video game engines|game engine]] so much and it's a matter of spending engineering time on it, including from people who previously worked on VR at [[StarCitizen:Crytek]] itself and had since joined CIG. He said he expected that work to happen possibly in early 2016 but that the focus for now was performance, which is why VR is pushed back.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9u9yPDNI1o&t=3272s Holiday Livestream 2015: Full Presentation], Star Citizen, Youtube, 17 december. 2015</ref>

At [[StarCitizen:CitizenCon]] 2024, Chris Roberts reconfirmed that VR is to be supported.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/live/WLLLtaM0Jf0?feature=shared&t=15972 <nowiki>CitizenCon 2954: Day Two [Full Broadcast]</nowiki>], Star Citizen, Youtube, 20 october 2024</ref>

In July 2025 at Quantum Vegas 2955, Sean Tracy mentioned that the biggest problem is going to be dual render, which is essentially rendering twice, and that some testing was to happen in a month or two.<ref>[https://youtu.be/GWFC4TXOOv0?feature=shared&t=1764 Quantum Vegas 2955: Session 1: "Tech & Tools" with Sean Tracy], Quantum Vegas 2955, Youtube, 21 July 2025</ref>

In November 2025, OpenXR files were found by players in the tech preview.<ref>[https://discord.com/channels/863347707901116436/863355989487124480/1438637976526524467 Tech build screenshot of OpenXR], MaskedMan, VRse Discord, November 13 2025</ref>

In December 2025, Silvan announced that the [[Update:Star Citizen Alpha 4.5.0|Alpha 4.5.0]] [[StarCitizen:PTU]] would be introducing early experimental VR support. It would not be the full implementation, but would allow the community to get hands-on with what was available and guide the features direction.<ref>{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/spectrum/community/SC/forum/190048/thread/star-citizen-vr-support-experimental-release/8520498|text=Star Citizen VR Support - Experimental Release (4.5 PTU)|accessdate=2025-12-11}}</ref>

In January 2026 Silvan said he had been able to add VR basically without any CPU overhead while if the GPU is struggling DLSS can be used, and that he's pretty sure than in 2026 they can add foveated rendering and QuadViews which will make it better and faster.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG2xAtcSwPA Star Citizen | Silvan Hau interview: Why you shoud play Star Citizen in VR], Pimax, 3 january 2026</ref>

==== Squadron 42 ====
In Febuary 2026, Chris Roberts announced that [[StarCitizen:Squadron 42]] will be fully available in virtual reality :

''"Squadron will be fully VR supporting, too it'll be very cool. [...] You can reach out and touch [[StarCitizen:Rachel MacLaren|Jillian Anderson]], not inappropriately [...] we're pretty committed to making the VR implementation the best that you've seen in gaming for any game."'' -Chris Roberts.<ref>[https://youtu.be/c-952eIpW-Q?t=22668 Enter ATMOSPHERE 2956 - Star Citizen Esports Showcase] Youtube - 21-02-2026</ref>

== Technological requirements ==
Engine Programmer [[StarCitizen:Silvan Hau]] said that implementing VR into the rendering itself isn't a big deal, but having support from the game itself in terms of gameplay is, namely tying it into the animation system and what locomotion the game offer. There are lots of unknown questions which need to be solved and require a collaboration from various teams. He expects VR to be implemented in stages, e.g. for a first step just being able to view ships in the hangar or using it in a cockpit. But a full VR implementation similar to ''Half Life Alyx'' is a whole different story.<ref name=":0">{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/spectrum/community/SC/forum/3/thread/after-playing-the-first-few-hours-of-half-life-aly/2906197|text=After playing the first few hours of Half-Life: Alyx, I hope CIG will keep their promise of Kickstarter regarding Virtual Reality|accessdate=2020-03-23}}</ref>

Sylvan said that before CIG can even can consider VR they have much bigger fish to fry like [[StarCitizen:Vulkan]], more optimizations and other new rendering technologies including [[StarCitizen:Gen12]].<ref>[https://youtu.be/eSxDQx0AFXs?feature=shared Star Citizen VR QnA Session with Silvan from CIG], Chachi Sanchez, Youtube, 19 December 2021</ref><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/spectrum/community/SC/forum/50259/thread/adding-vr-support/5889320|text=But yes before we even can consider that we have much bigger fish to fry like Vulkan, more Optimizations and other new rendering technologies.|accessdate=2023-04-17}}</ref>

== Community solutions ==
Player Chachi Sanchez runs the [https://discord.com/invite/kJ9RHRuc6j VRse Discord server] and has videos on how to set up VR by oneself, using tools like VorpX or OpenXR on his [https://www.youtube.com/@Chachi_Sanchez/videos youtube channel].

== Quotes ==
''"[...] there are people here at CIG who are huge VR enthusiasts and we will do anything within our capabilities to bring it to Star Citizen. It will be a huge task, it will take a while, but i have no doubt we will get there.[...]" -Sylvan Hau.''<ref name=":0" />

== See also ==

* [[StarCitizen:Oculus Rift]]
* [[StarCitizen:Star Engine]]

== Trivia ==

* Chris Roberts had already made looking around the cockpit possible in ''[[StarCitizen:Strike Commander]],'' where the player’s head and the environment could be controlled separately, with the able to look around freely in any direction rather than just left, right, forward and backwards, which was innovative at the time, in the early 90's.<ref name=":2" /><ref>[https://youtu.be/NTMlZru2aG4?feature=shared&t=357 Wingman's Hangar ep058 . February 26, 2014], Star Citizen, YouTube</ref>

== References ==

[[Category:Virtual_reality]]