Star Citizen is a space simulation game set in a persistent online universe, built around player-driven exploration, trading, combat, and much more.
It is developed by Cloud Imperium Games and remains one of the most ambitious games ever attempted, with planetary surfaces, space stations, asteroid fields, and populated systems all simulated in real time.
The game is still in active development, with regular patches adding new ships, locations, and gameplay systems on an ongoing basis.
What already exists is a substantial game in its own right, and new content arrives on a regular schedule.
There is no single way to play. You might spend your time hauling cargo between stations, hunting bounties, mining asteroids, running medical missions, or just exploring. Many players end up doing all of it across different sessions.
What You Can Do
Star Citizen has a wide range of gameplay loops and there is no right or wrong way to approach it. Some of what is available:
Fly and upgrade ships, from starter craft right up to multi-crew capital ships
Haul cargo between space stations, planets, and star systems
Hunt bounties and take on combat missions against NPCs or other players
Explore planets, moons, asteroid belts, and derelict ships
Mine asteroids and planetary deposits for materials
Run medical and rescue missions for other players in need
Join an organisation and team up for larger operations
Starter Pack Guide
To play Star Citizen you need to purchase a starter pack from the RSI store. Each pack includes a ship, 10,000 UEC, 6-month ship insurance, a self-land hangar, and a Star Citizen digital download. Your 50,000 UEC referral bonus is added on top of all of that.
You are not obligated to spend more than the minimum. The Citizen Starter Pack has everything you need to start playing and enjoy the game. The more expensive packs simply give you a different starting ship. Almost every ship in Star Citizen can already be earned through gameplay, and newly released ones typically become available to buy in-game around six months after launch. Your starter ship is just the beginning.
Great Starting Point
Citizen Starter Pack
RSI Aurora Mk II
£40.50 GBP / $54.00 USD
Star Citizen digital download
RSI Aurora Mk II
10,000 UEC
6-month ship insurance
Self-land hangar
Begin your Star Citizen adventure with the RSI Aurora Mk II, the next generation of accessible spacecraft. With retractable wings and a modular chassis supporting cargo, combat, and more, it is the ultimate way to start a life in the 'verse.
The cheapest way into the game and genuinely more than enough to get started. The Aurora Mk II is a solid ship that handles itself well across cargo runs, combat, and exploration. This is what I would point most new players towards first.
Generalist Starter Pack
Drake Cutter
£54.00 GBP / $72.00 USD
Star Citizen digital download
Drake Cutter
10,000 UEC
6-month ship insurance
Self-land hangar
Designed for hard-working folks of all stripes, the Drake Cutter packs 4 SCU of cargo room and plenty of wallop into a rough and tumble, compact frame. It is an ideal generalist ship that truly embodies the spirit of Drake: that no matter who you are or what you do, you can reach the stars.
A good choice if you want a bit more cargo flexibility from the start. The Cutter's 4 SCU of storage makes it a capable hauler for early missions, and it holds its own in a fight too. A solid all-rounder if you are not sure yet which direction you want to take.
Miner Starter Pack
Drake Golem
£67.50 GBP / $90.00 USD
Star Citizen digital download
Drake Golem
10,000 UEC
6-month ship insurance
Self-land hangar
Drake's entry into the mining sector has everything you need to start a lucrative career breaking rocks in deep space and nothing you don't. Start your mining adventure the Drake way with the Golem.
A solid starting point if you already know mining is the loop you want to focus on. Mining in Star Citizen is one of the more relaxed and rewarding ways to earn credits at your own pace, whether you are cracking asteroids in space or working planetary deposits. The Golem is purpose-built for it from day one.
Recommended
Duelist Starter Pack
Aegis Avenger Titan
£67.50 GBP / $90.00 USD
Star Citizen digital download
Aegis Avenger Titan
10,000 UEC
6-month ship insurance
Aeroview hangar
Embark on your adventure today in your Aegis Avenger Titan. With its hold modified for maximum cargo space, and its tried-and-true combat abilities, this light freighter is more than capable of handling itself in a fight.
My personal recommendation if you can stretch to it. The Avenger Titan punches well above its price point. Its 2x4 cargo grid makes it a better hauler than ships costing more, and it is a genuinely capable fighter too with two size 3 guns and a size 4. That said, the Citizen Starter Pack is still a brilliant entry and all you actually need.
Salvager Starter Pack
RSI Salvation
£67.50 GBP / $90.00 USD
Star Citizen digital download
RSI Salvation
10,000 UEC
6-month ship insurance
Self-land hangar
Kickstart a lucrative career in deep-space salvage. Built to effortlessly tear through stranded hulls, the RSI Salvation is the ideal way to get started in the ship-wrecking game.
A good pick if the idea of picking apart derelict ships and recovering materials appeals to you. Salvaging is one of the more explorative and laid-back ways to earn in Star Citizen, and the Salvation is built specifically for that loop. Good for players who enjoy combing through wrecks at their own pace.
Hauler Starter Pack
Crusader Intrepid
£72.00 GBP / $96.00 USD
Star Citizen digital download
Crusader Intrepid
10,000 UEC
6-month ship insurance
Self-land hangar
Start small and dream big with the Crusader Intrepid. A single seat starship with a small signature and a big heart, the Intrepid excels at short-range hauler runs and courier jobs. Perfect for pilots looking to break into the big leagues on a budget.
Honestly, if your main reason for picking this is hauling, you would be better off with the Duelist pack and its Avenger Titan. While the Intrepid has a similar total cargo capacity, it is split across two separate grids rather than one unified space, which limits what you can actually fit in practice. If you want the Intrepid because it looks good though, that is a completely valid reason. It does look great.
Prices shown include UK VAT and may vary by region. All packs are available from the official RSI Pledge Store.
What You Get When Using a Referral
50,000 UEC referral bonus on top of the UEC included in your starter pack (most standard packs include 10,000 UEC, bringing your total to 60,000)
Potential access to limited-time referral rewards during events, such as exclusive armour sets or ships
A better starting position in the verse
How It Works
Click the referral link or visit the RSI sign-up page and enter the code manually
Create your Star Citizen account
Confirm your email address
Your 50,000 UEC referral bonus is applied to your account automatically
If you forgot to add the code during sign-up, you have 24 hours to enter it retroactively. Log into your RSI account, go to Settings, and look for the referral code field near the bottom of the page.
Why Use This Link?
It costs you absolutely nothing extra. The price of any starter pack is exactly the same whether you use a referral or not
You get 50,000 UEC added to your account for free
The referral system is run entirely by Cloud Imperium Games through the official RSI platform
There is no downside to using one
About Me
My RSI handle is InfernoBolt1 and I am a Concierge backer. Concierge is a tier on the RSI platform for backers who have put a significant amount into supporting the game.
I follow everything CIG puts out closely. Patch notes, comm-links, roadmap updates, Spectrum posts, community discussions, the lot. I have a private Discord with a whole section dedicated to Star Citizen, with channels tracking everything from official CIG communications and developer activity right through to pipeline data and community leaks. If something is happening in the Star Citizen world, I am usually already on top of it.
The Discord invite in the footer is open. If you are just starting out and want someone to point you in the right direction, feel free to jump in.
FAQ
Does using a referral code cost anything extra?
No. The referral code is entered when you create your account and costs you nothing at all. The price of any starter pack stays exactly the same whether you use one or not.
Can I add a referral code after I create my account?
Yes, but there is a 24-hour window. If you forgot to add it during sign-up, log into your RSI account, go to your Settings page, and look for the referral code entry field near the bottom. After 24 hours the option disappears, so do not leave it too long.
When does the UEC show up in my account?
The 50,000 UEC should appear shortly after you confirm your email and the referral code is applied. If it has not shown up after a few minutes, try relogging into the RSI website.
Can I use a referral code during a free fly event?
Yes, and this is actually a great time to do it. Free fly events let you try the game without spending anything. Creating your account with a referral code during one means the bonus UEC is already waiting when you do decide to buy a starter pack.
What starter pack should I get?
For most people, the Citizen Starter Pack (Aurora Mk II) is the sensible starting point. It is the cheapest entry into the game and includes a capable ship to learn with. You will not feel held back by a starter ship in your first few hours, and you can always upgrade later.
What if I already have a Star Citizen account?
Referral codes can only be added to new accounts within 24 hours of creation. If your existing account is past that window, the code cannot be applied retroactively, and there is no workaround for this.
Is Star Citizen free to play?
Not permanently, but CIG runs free fly events several times a year where anyone can try the game for free for a limited period. Outside of those events, you need a starter pack to access the game. Creating an account is always free.
Great Starting Point
Recommended
Official Website
Star Citizen Wiki
Join My Discord