Star citizen Alpha 4.4 Welcome to Nyx launches—Try 200+ ships free until December 3

Cloud Imperium Games has officially rolled out the highly anticipated Alpha 4.4 update for Star Citizen, dubbed “Welcome to Nyx.” The update introduces a fresh star system, Nyx, along with a host of new gameplay experiences, including missions, ships, weapons, and in-game features.

Coinciding with this update is the Intergalactic Aerospace Expo (IAE) 2955, a limited-time Free Fly event running until December 3, 2025, which gives players the opportunity to try more than 200 spacecraft at no cost. New players can use this event to explore Star Citizen without purchasing a package, while returning players can rent and test the latest ships, including fan favorites and new releases.

Explore the Nyx System and Levski Outpost

At the heart of Alpha 4.4 lies the Nyx system, highlighted by the asteroid-based settlement Levski. Introduced during the condensed CitizenCon Direct presentation, Levski serves as a hub for mining operations, military missions, and exploration. Its story is rooted in freedom and independence, built centuries ago by the People’s Alliance to escape authoritarian control from Earth’s Messer regime. Players visiting Levski can experience a bustling settlement complete with hospitals, marketplaces, bars like Café Musain, and specialty shops such as Teach’s, which also hosts the in-game talk show, Talkin’ Shop.

Gamers can engage with InterSec, a military subcontractor, on a variety of missions, including exploring abandoned stations and collecting intelligence. Nyx also introduces procedurally generated hauling missions that transport goods across Stanton, Pyro, and Nyx systems. These missions vary in difficulty, faction affiliation, and legality, letting players choose paths that match their moral alignment—from lawful to outright illegal operations.

Combat and Missions in Nyx

Combat enthusiasts have plenty to tackle in Alpha 4.4. The Vanduul make their first appearance in Nyx, adding a challenging new adversary for pilots. Additionally, existing mission types receive Nyx-specific variants, expanding gameplay depth and encouraging exploration of the new system. Star Citizen’s development team also rebalanced point-defense turrets and missiles, refined injury mechanics for more realistic damage consequences, and introduced two new FPS weapons.

Ships, Gear, and Cosmetic Bundles

Alpha 4.4 brings new ships and equipment, including special bundles such as Epoque Aves and Epoque Dust Devil, offering medium and heavy armor sets along with matching backpacks and the Behring P8-SC SMG. Cosmetic items like the Crusader Intrepid Epoque paint allow players to customize their vehicles in style. Full details on all ships and gear updates can be found on the official Star Citizen site.

Star Citizen’s Milestone and Crowdfunding

Star Citizen remains one of the most ambitious crowdfunded games in history. Launched on Kickstarter in 2012 with an initial goal of just over $2 million, the game has now raised over $885 million, making it the highest-funded game project ever. Despite ongoing development delays, the game’s persistent alpha testing ensures fans can enjoy a growing sandbox experience while awaiting the co-developed single-player campaign, Squadron 42.

The Alpha 4.4 update and the IAE 2955 Free Fly event together make it an ideal time for both newcomers and veteran pilots to explore Star Citizen’s evolving universe.

FAQ

Q1: What is Alpha 4.4 “Welcome to Nyx”?
A1: It’s the latest Star Citizen update featuring the Nyx system, the Levski settlement, new missions, ships, combat features, and gameplay improvements.

Q2: When does the Free Fly event end?
A2: The Intergalactic Aerospace Expo 2955 Free Fly event runs until December 3, 2025.

Q3: Can new players try Star Citizen for free?
A3: Yes, the Free Fly event allows new players to download and play Star Citizen without purchasing a package until the event ends.

Q4: What new ships are available in Alpha 4.4?
A4: The update introduces several ships including the RSI Perseus heavy gunship, along with other new spacecraft available for rent during the Free Fly event.

Q5: What are hauling missions in Nyx?
A5: Hauling missions are procedurally generated assignments that move goods between systems with varying difficulty, factions, and legality.