Star Citizen developers have been teasing a “game changer” ship for sale this month, and as seen in this CitizenCon concierge email screenshot , it looks like a pretty big deal. We can now officially say, thanks to posts from Cloud Imperium Games Technical Designer Matt Sherman, that the ship is called the CNOU Pioneer.
The CNOU Pioneer has been in the works for months and got some of its most-high profile teases during an episode of Bensday With Batgirl in early September. Back then, CIG Community Director Ben Lesnick said, “I have not seen [the ship] yet. This one is not an exaggeration. It’s a very big deal, a very big ship on its way.” He also added that “it’s going to be a big civilian job ship” that’s going to be “important mechanically.”
While CIG has confirmed the full details about the ship will debut during CitizenCon, its name and maker offer a few clues about what to expect. For example, with Consolidated Outland behind its design, one would expect style, affordability and smart use of high-end technology to be part of its DNA. Considering the rebellious reputation of the CNOU brand, CEO Silas Koerner is going to want to make sure his craft is both cheaper and more effective than most large manufacturers. That being said, based on size alone we imagine this thing is going to cost a lot more than the Mustang’s $40 price.
As for name and the shape, the implications here are pretty obvious. With tons of cargo space under the Pioneer label, there’s little doubt this large ship will be essential to the colonization process. If explorers want to set up shop on uninhabited or far-off planets, this is going to be the vehicle to make it happen. It’s got enough space to hold tons of people and all the supplies they’ll need to survive in uncharted territory. In some ways what we’re seeing here is CIG’s version of the various arks found in Mass Effect.
Showing off a ship with this unique purpose is especially important, given that the theme of this year’s CitizenCon is “exploring new worlds.” A ship like this seems perfectly up to the task.
For those who missed the memo, CitizenCon takes place Oct. 27 at the Capitol Theatre in Frankfurt, Germany. Streaming begins at 8:30 a.m. EDT and will culminate in a keynote address at 3 p.m. EDT. Developers will be on hand prior to the presentation to answer questions from fans and provide the latest news updates on Star Citizen’s ongoing development. If you were hoping to see the Squadron 42 single-player module, however, don’t hold your breath. CIG has already confirmed the project will skip the convention and will instead be part of the annual Star Citizen holiday stream this December.
Star Citizen is currently in early alpha on PC.
What do you think of the CNOU Pioneer’s design? Would you be willing to pony up the cash to buy a ship like this? Tell us in the comments section!
