Star Citizen Alpha 4.1: Orbital Assault reached live servers on March 31, 2025. Its headline content centered on Hathor orbital mining facilities and related missions, alongside work on a juvenile valakkar and the arrival of Banu trader Wikelo, whom Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) identified as the game’s first alien NPC. Alpha 4.1 is a past release: CIG’s patch index now lists versions through Alpha 4.10.1.
When did Star Citizen Alpha 4.1 release?
CIG announced on March 31, 2025, that “Alpha 4.1:Orbital Assault has officially landed on the live servers!” The announcement linked players to the official Alpha 4.1 announcement. The current patch-note index lists releases through Alpha 4.10.1, so 4.1 is no longer the latest version.
What was new in Alpha 4.1?
Hathor orbital mining facilities and missions
CIG’s March 2025 monthly report describes work on new Hathor orbital mining facilities, mission locations, and related content. The update’s “orbital assault” theme therefore points to mining-focused activity at Hathor, including orbital lasers. The report does not establish exact mission steps, access requirements, laser mechanics, or balance values, so those details should not be assumed from the theme alone. See the March 2025 Monthly Report.
A juvenile valakkar
The monthly report also discusses AI feature work on the valakkar, particularly its juvenile variant, including a behavior change intended for when players get close. “Mini sandworms” is a shorthand description sometimes used for the juvenile creature, not a quoted official term in the report. The available account does not specify the creature’s exact gameplay behavior or encounter requirements.
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Wikelo, Star Citizen’s first alien NPC
CIG described Banu trader Wikelo as Star Citizen’s first alien NPC. The report covers development of his general and air-traffic-control behaviors, with work involving Narrative, Design, Animation, Audio, and Character Art. CIG’s Narrative Team said: “We had a lot of fun creating the character and making the Emporium a place players would enjoy exploring.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Alpha 4.1 still the current Star Citizen release?
No. Alpha 4.1 went live in March 2025, and the official patch index lists later versions, through Alpha 4.10.1. The 4.1 features described here are therefore a snapshot of that historical update, not a description of the game’s current feature set.
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