How do I Play Star Citizen?
Here is an quick overview to help you be prepared for the Star Citizen Alpha experience. In our Get an Account section we walk you through the whole process.
Sign-up for a free account
You need an account for Free Fly events or if you decide to buy a starter package. If you do not have a referral code, please use one of ours STAR-QM7X-K4QH or STAR-NC9X-WYPQCheck Your PC Requirements
Star Citizen is extremely hardware-intensive. Before purchasing, ensure your PC meets these baseline requirements to avoid an unplayable experience:Installing the game on a standard HDD will result in severe stuttering and loading failures.- Memory: You must have 32 GB of RAM(strongly recommended).
- Storage: An SSD (Solid State Drive) or NVMe is mandatory.
Purchase a Starter Package
You need a Starter Package to gain 24/7 access to the game. Take a look at our Ship Package section to see more information on the different Star Citizen ship packages- The Essentials: The basic $45–$65 packages are all you need to play. They include a starter ship, a digital manual, and permanent access to the Persistent Universe. We recommend the Generalist Starter Package
- Avoid Overspending: You do not need to buy expensive ships. Almost every ship available on the store can be earned in-game using in-game currency (aUEC).
Consider a Free Fly Event
If you are hesitant to commit money, wait for a Free Fly event. These are periodically held throughout the year (often in May and November), allowing you to download and test the game for free to see how your hardware handles it and whether the current build appeals to you.If you wait for an event (ILW or Invictus Launch Week / DefenseCon / IAE or Intergalactic Aerospace Expo), you may find a starter pack a bit cheaperPreparation for the "Alpha Experience"
Steep Learning Curve: The in-game tutorial is notoriously limited. Most players recommend looking for YouTube guides or joining a player-run organization ("Org") like the Mockers to help you learn the ropes.Take a look at our Now What? page for more information. Be patient with Bugs: As this is an Alpha, expect server issues, game-breaking bugs, and occasional "wipes" (resets) of your in-game progress. It is normal to occasionally need to take a break when things get frustrating.If you are ready... Go to our Get an Account section to start your journey :-)
