The year is off to a flying start with static server meshing testing last weekend, which allowed players to jump between Stanton and the new Pyro system using the jump gate for the first time. Both systems were handled by a single server and the transition between the two happened seamlessly.
Very simple refresher on what server meshing is:
Traditionally, players would connect directly to a server and information would be transferred between the two.
Player <--> Server
With server meshing, another layer (literally called Replication Layer) is added into the mix that handles all the information that traditionally would be stored on the server. The RL acts almost like a backup of the state of the game world, receiving and feeding information between player clients and servers. This way the game world can be divided in to multiple areas each being handled by its own server that receives information from the RL. It also allows for players to seamlessly transfer from one area to another, switching servers without loading screens.
Player <--> Replication Layer <--> Servers
And then we have the upcoming alpha 3.23 which is hands down the biggest patch we've gotten so far in Star Citizen. Some of the larger features planned:
- New EVA system
- New Star Map (Finally!)
- Personal Hangars
- Freight Elevators (used to transfer ground vehicles, cargo etc. to a hangar for loading onto a ship)
- Distribution Centers (Large planet side complexes for various activities)
- New character creator
And a whole lot of smaller stuff.
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