This Week in Star Citizen - August 3, 2026

Foundation Festival, Free Fly and the Welcome Hub

According to the official update, Foundation Festival 2956 officially kicked off last week and runs through August 12. CIG says this year’s event features a Referral Bonus, Twitch Drops and rewards for guides helping new pilots through the improved Guide System.

The accompanying Free Fly runs through August 10, while the refreshed Welcome Hub is positioned as an easier path for new Citizens heading into their first adventures in Star Citizen.

Ship Showdown 2956 begins its first phase

Ship Showdown 2956 has entered its first phase, with the race for Best in Show now underway. CIG is asking players to rally behind their favourite ships and vehicles by creating content and highlighting them on the Community Hub, helping contenders earn a place in the Top 16 before the duel bracket begins later this month.

The update also notes an opportunity to win a L-22 Alpha Wolf through the latest Ship Showdown contest.

Alpha 4.10 continues in the PTU

CIG says Alpha 4.10 development continued at full speed in the PTU, with all waves opened last weekend. The official update highlights testing across the new Siege of Orison experience, the new Arlington Lever Action Rifle, Recco Battaglia’s latest contracts and Instancing.

The report also points players towards dedicated Spectrum feedback threads and a social survey. CIG says a new Roadmap Update was published, committing the feature lineup for Alpha 4.10 while work continues to refine Recco Battaglia’s narrative experience and the supporting Instancing tech.

What CIG says is coming this week

On Tuesday, Subscribers can expect the August Subscriber Comm-Link and Newsletter, with CIG teasing what it calls the most purr-fect exclusive content.

On Wednesday, Star Citizen Live returns with a special two-hour live developer commentary as the team jumps into Siege of Orison, described in the official update as a permanent PvE addition to the Persistent Universe arriving in Alpha 4.10. CIG says the devs will play through the operation at 4pm UTC and discuss what players can expect later this month.

The July 2026 PU Monthly Report is also due to offer a behind-the-scenes look at progress across the company as development continues on upcoming releases and the road ahead.

On Friday, the latest RSI Weekly Newsletter lands in inboxes.

CIG also notes that community-run Bar Citizens are being organised this weekend in London, Helsinki, Atlanta and the Philippines. The update closes its weekly notes with a reminder that Fight or Flight 2956 sign-ups are open for the 3v3 dogfighting tournament series.