A Living Flight Log by ile-avalon
Star Citizen Logbook, also known as citizen-logbook.com, began as a humble personal journal. Launched in 2019 by a dedicated player under the alias ile-avalon, the site was never intended to be a massive wiki or news portal. Instead, it was conceived as a digital carnet de vol — a flight log — for recording gameplay impressions, development highlights, ship lore, and occasional opinions or editorial takes.
Over time, however, the scope of the site naturally expanded. Today, the Logbook serves as a hybrid platform offering news updates, patch tracking, lore writeups, development deep dives, gameplay guides, and curated tools for both new and veteran players in the Star Citizen and Squadron 42 communities.
What Are Star Citizen and Squadron 42?
Star Citizen is a large-scale multiplayer space simulation set in the 30th century, around 930 years from now. Players operate within the United Empire of Earth (UEE) — the governing body of humanity — in a persistent universe teeming with missions, trade, exploration, and combat.
Squadron 42, on the other hand, is a cinematic single-player campaign set in the same universe, where the player enlists in the UEE Navy. Both projects are developed by Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) under the direction of Chris Roberts, best known for classics like Wing Commander and Freelancer.
First revealed at GDC in October 2012, the project began with modest crowdfunding goals and an ambitious promise: to offer a deep, non-subscription-based experience with optional mod support, VR integration, and a branching development model. Over time, those ambitions grew dramatically.
A Bold Development Model
Originally, the persistent universe was intended as an add-on to Squadron 42. Today, it’s a standalone title with long-term plans for over 100 star systems, dynamic careers, and real-time server meshing. The result is a game with exceptional potential — and equally daunting complexity.
Open Development and Quarterly Updates
One of the most distinctive features of Star Citizen’s development is its open production model. CIG provides monthly reports, task breakdowns, team insights, video updates, and community-facing initiatives. Most importantly, players can access the Alpha build of Star Citizen, which is updated quarterly through LIVE servers.
This model allows anyone who purchases a Starter Pack to experience the game’s current iteration immediately, even as development continues.
Crowdfunding and Controversy
After a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised $2.13 million from over 34,000 backers, CIG moved funding operations to its official Roberts Space Industries (RSI) platform. Since then, every ship sale, pack upgrade, and merchandise order has contributed directly to ongoing development.
While this has enabled independence from traditional publishers, it’s also drawn criticism. Ten years later, many fans ask whether the game will ever reach a full release — despite the hundreds of millions of dollars raised.
Still, it’s worth remembering: the game is playable now, in alpha form. And through periodic Free Fly events, newcomers can try the game at no cost, even without backing it financially.
Accessing the Game
How Much Does It Cost to Play?
To access the Persistent Universe, players must:
- Create an account at robertsspaceindustries.com
- Purchase a Starter Pack, which typically costs $40 USD (before tax)
These packs include access to the game and one basic ship. Additional ships can be purchased individually, but aren’t required to begin playing.
Is There a Subscription?
There’s no subscription required to play Star Citizen. However, a voluntary subscriber program exists to support community media like Inside Star Citizen. Subscribing also provides cosmetic bonuses and exclusive content, but does not affect core gameplay access.
Free Fly Events
Several times per year, CIG hosts Free Fly events — limited-time promotions where anyone can create an account and try the game with a rotating selection of ships. These events often coincide with in-universe happenings such as:
- Intergalactic Aerospace Expo (IAE) in November
- Invictus Launch Week (ILW) in May
- Foundation Festival in July
These windows offer an excellent opportunity for curious players to explore without financial commitment.
Referral Program and Bonuses
When creating a new account, players may enter a Referral Code provided by another user. Doing so grants a 50,000 UEC (United Earth Credits) bonus to the new player. It’s a small boost, but helpful for purchasing equipment and supplies early on.
For instance, Star Citizen Logbook encourages new players to use the following referral code:
STAR-QP2M-YLS3
A direct link with the referral pre-filled is also available on their site. Detailed explanations of how the referral program works can be found on the Logbook’s Referral Code page.
System Requirements
Star Citizen is technically demanding, even in its current alpha state. Below is a breakdown of the minimum and recommended hardware:
Recommended Specs for Star Citizen Alpha
| Component | Minimum Requirement |
| OS | Windows 10 (64-bit, latest service pack) |
| CPU | Quad-Core with AVX support (Intel Sandy Bridge or newer) |
| RAM | 16 GB+ (DDR4 recommended) |
| Storage | 100 GB+ on SSD (200 GB if also using PTU servers) |
| GPU | DirectX 11.1 compatible, 4 GB VRAM |
⚠ Note: As of Alpha 3.17, DirectX 11.1 is required. Older graphics cards and Windows 7 are no longer supported.
How to Get Started with Star Citizen
For those unfamiliar with large-scale PC game setups, Star Citizen can be intimidating — but the Logbook offers detailed guides to simplify onboarding. From account creation to ship selection, it helps players make informed decisions with clear language and updated FAQs.
New players should start by:
- Visiting robertsspaceindustries.com
- Creating an account (optionally with a referral code)
- Purchasing a Starter Pack suited to their intended playstyle
- Downloading the RSI Launcher and installing the game client
The Logbook’s walkthroughs cover everything from UI navigation to choosing your first ship, and even evaluating future upgrades based on gameplay roles (exploration, cargo hauling, combat, etc.).
Understanding the Alpha State
While playable, Star Citizen remains in Alpha, meaning:
- Many features are incomplete or experimental
- Major bugs and performance issues are common
- Progress may be wiped during certain updates
- Some mechanics may be removed or overhauled
CIG is transparent about these limitations. Players are encouraged to participate not just as consumers, but as testers who provide valuable feedback to shape the game’s future.
That said, new players are strongly advised to avoid treating their purchase as early access to a finished product. Rather, it’s a form of financial and creative support toward a long-term vision.
What About Squadron 42?
A Story-Driven Campaign
Unlike Star Citizen’s open world, Squadron 42 is a linear single-player campaign, envisioned as a trilogy. The first installment, currently in active development, places the player inside the UEE Navy, engaging in scripted missions with narrative arcs, character interactions, and cinematic moments.
Although originally offered as part of some early Star Citizen bundles, the Squadron 42 standalone campaign is not currently available for purchase. CIG removed its listing in anticipation of a more formal release window.
What’s the Status?
As of CitizenCon 2954, CIG stated that Squadron 42 has a tentative release target of 2026. While no firm date has been locked, significant gameplay footage has been shared in the past, including:
- The Vertical Slice demo from 2017
- The Briefing Room developer series (2020)
- Monthly progress reports and updates via the CIG roadmap
CIG has scaled back detailed communication about Squadron 42 to avoid spoilers and keep the final product fresh. However, regular development continues behind the scenes.
Why the Logbook Matters
A Fan-Centric Approach
Unlike large news sites or generic game wikis, Star Citizen Logbook is tailored by a player for other players. It brings:
- First-hand insights on gameplay progression and ship mechanics
- Curated resources for navigating RSI’s evolving ecosystem
- Community-oriented tools, such as FAQ links, starter guides, and referrals
- Editorial voice — not just data, but opinions, praise, and constructive criticism
Flexibility Over Formality
The site doesn’t pretend to be exhaustive. Articles are published organically, based on the author’s personal experiences and interests. One week might feature a deep-dive into lore, while another may focus on a technical patch breakdown or highlight frustrations with current bugs.
This human-centered format helps players relate to the broader development journey without being overwhelmed by patch notes or forum noise.