# Colossal Sandworms and Vibrant Worlds: The Key New Insights about Star Citizen
**The previous weekend marked one of the most pivotal moments of the year for Star Citizen enthusiasts.** This was due to CitizenCon, the yearly in-house event organized by developer Cloud Imperium Games (CIG), which took place in Manchester, UK. The gathering was filled with thrilling announcements and updates regarding the highly awaited space simulation, *Star Citizen*, along with its single-player story, *Squadron 42*.
The initial day of CitizenCon was especially lively, featuring significant news about *Squadron 42*, which is now projected for release in 2026—14 years following its initial announcement. However, that was just the beginning. The developers introduced a variety of new elements, including sandworms, fresh planets, cutting-edge weather systems, and even a brand-new star system. Here’s an overview of the most crucial updates from CitizenCon.
## A Bold New Horizon: A New Star System
Among the numerous announcements at CitizenCon, one of the most thrilling for fans was the unveiling of a new star system. **Castra** will become the fourth star system in *Star Citizen*, joining Stanton, Pyro, and Nyx. Castra is situated near the Nyx system and the Xi’an territories, one of the alien races within the game’s universe.
During the presentation, two planets from the Castra system were highlighted:
– **Castra 1**: A barren, lifeless planet that is too near to its sun for terraforming to be feasible.
– **Castra 2 (Cascom)**: A thriving planet that acts as a center for trade and tourism. This planet is under human control and boasts a remarkable landing zone known as Sherman, also referred to as “Island in the Sky” due to its distinctive positioning.
The introduction of Castra will enrich the game’s universe, providing players with new landscapes to discover and fresh possibilities for trade and engagement.
## Understanding Planet Formation: Advanced Planet Tech
CitizenCon also featured an in-depth exploration of the technology behind planet creation in *Star Citizen*. In a session led by *Star Citizen* chief Chris Roberts, numerous updates regarding the game’s *Planet Tech* were discussed, emphasizing how planets will evolve to be even more varied and lifelike in the future.
**New physical principles will be employed to create planets**, incorporating elements such as soil fertility, soil varieties, and solar radiation intensity alongside the current temperature and humidity systems. These environmental aspects will significantly influence the flora and terrain, allowing for drastically different appearances on various sides of a planet. For instance, a planet with high humidity and moderate temperatures could be home to rich swamp ecosystems.
Furthermore, cloud formations will become increasingly dynamic. Currently, clouds in the game remain constant, but in future iterations, they will naturally form and dissipate. This will also connect with the new weather systems, which will not only impact visibility but may also inflict damage on ships. A video shared on Reddit during the event displayed these innovative weather mechanics, giving fans a preview of what to anticipate.
## The Worm’s the Word: Sandworms in *Star Citizen*
One of the most thrilling revelations for *Dune* fans was the introduction of gigantic sandworms. As disclosed by Senior Systems Designer Zac Preece, players will be able to hunt these gigantic beings alongside their friends in the future.
During the presentation, a video showcased players on the planet Monox in the Pyro system battling a sandworm. **The creature, named Valakkar**, closely resembles the famous sandworms of Arrakis from *Dune*. To attract the worm, players will need to generate noise with ground vehicles. Despite its massive scale, the Valakkar is surprisingly nimble and can eliminate careless pilots with its formidable strikes.
The rewards for vanquishing a sandworm are substantial: players can gather precious resources like pearls and teeth from the creature’s remains. The developers also suggested that more colossal monsters will be introduced into the game down the line, offering additional challenges and rewards for players.
## What Other Features Were Unveiled?
In addition to the new star system, planets, and sandworms, several other remarkable features were announced at CitizenCon:
– **New Ship Series**: The Starlancer class was revealed as an extension of the beloved Freelancer series. These ships will present new choices for players eager to explore the galaxy.
– **Crafting System**: A novel crafting system dubbed *Crafting Your Home* will empower players to construct their own bases and starships. This system will involve collecting raw materials, processing them, and utilizing them to create everything from weapons and tools to complete spacecraft.
– **Future Star Systems**: Following the introduction of the Castra system, the Terra system will be next in line for implementation. The Terra system holds particular significance for lore fans, as it is directly