$800 million and 13 years later, here’s how you can play one of the world’s most expensive PC games for free

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Star Citizen represents an expansive, detailed online multiplayer game set in space, which has been under development since the initial funding objectives were reached back in 2012.

Throughout the span of 13 years since its inception, developer Cloud Imperium Games has amassed over $800 million in funding, primarily from its dedicated backers.

The crazy part? It’s still not finished.

Despite not being halted, the game continues to gather a massive following of millions, with tens of thousands joining every day. If your curiosity is piqued, here’s some exciting news for you.

During this year’s Invictus Launch Week, Star Citizen is providing an opportunity for players to experience the game at no cost. This event lasts until May 27th, giving you ample time to explore and enjoy the game before it concludes.

Instead of having to purchase a supporter account, you now have the option to create it at no cost and gain access to content typically hidden behind a premium subscription.

Every day brings a fresh collection of ships and content to explore at no cost. If you find yourself captivated by the game, you’ll be delighted to know that all access packs are currently reduced in price until May 27th.

Is now a good time to give Star Citizen a try?

I personally haven’t experienced Star Citizen, but I have friends who find joy in its sprawling multiplayer environment that offers a freedom to explore and engage in various activities… all set within the backdrop of… outer space… right from their favorite gaming seats.

In space mining, you’d blast open asteroids to secure precious ore. You could also opt for interstellar trucking, transporting goods across the universe. You might become a bounty hunter, joining conflicts for monetary reasons, or decide to act illegally instead.

Option C: As a space miner, you’d blast asteroids open to get valuable ore. If you prefer, you could go into interstellar trucking, transporting goods across the cosmos. You might become a bounty hunter, fighting in conflicts for money, or decide on a life outside the law instead.

Option D: Space mining involves breaking asteroids apart to collect valuable ore. If you’d rather, you could choose interstellar trucking, transporting goods across the universe. You might become a bounty hunter, taking part in conflicts for money, or decide to live against the law instead.

In Star Citizen, you find yourself commanding a ship, equipped with a body, and carrying a gun. This game offers a first-person perspective, and the world around you is inhabited by real players. Your journey through this expansive universe is largely self-directed. Despite being in development, there’s an abundance of content to explore in Star Citizen.

Well, considering its 12-year journey filled with setbacks, wouldn’t you say now could be an opportune moment to dive in and explore the game?

Currently, there’s an abundance of content available in the game compared to any other time, and a thriving community is constantly joining the action. What adds to its appeal is the opportunity for players to experience the game without having to purchase it first.

What do I need in my PC to run Star Citizen?

Star Citizen, despite its appealing presentation, doesn’t require outlandish PC hardware to run.

To meet the basic specifications, the developer has outlined a minimum requirement of a quad-core processor from either Intel’s Sandy Bridge or AMD’s Bulldozer series. However, due to the game’s intense CPU demand, even these suggested processors may struggle nowadays.

For the minimum GPU, it recommends something with at least 4GB of VRAM and DirectX11 compatibility.

Instead of the current setup, consider upgrading your CPU to an eight-core processor from either Intel’s Sandy Bridge series or AMD’s Ryzen family. As for the graphics card, it should support DirectX12 and have a minimum of 8GB of video memory (VRAM).

This game requires at least 150GB storage, and it would be beneficial to have a fast Solid State Drive (SSD) for optimal performance. It might not be advisable to attempt playing this game from a traditional Hard Disk Drive (HDD).

In simpler terms, just like a vital part of any functioning system, Random Access Memory (RAM) keeps your computer running efficiently. A minimum of 16GB is suggested, but it may cause problems. For a smoother gaming experience, consider having 32GB or more.

This week, you have a chance to play Star Citizen without any cost, allowing you to install and experience the game directly on your computer. As long as your gaming laptop meets the game’s system specifications, it should run smoothly.

As a fellow enthusiast, if you’re experiencing issues with your game performance yet can’t seem to put down the controller, I’d strongly advise you to explore our comprehensive guides on top-tier gaming laptops and pre-built gaming desktop PCs. They might just be the solution you’ve been searching for!

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2025-05-22 20:09