Roberts Space Industries

Welcome to Citizens of the Stars, our new weekly program exclusively about you, the Star Citizen Community. Whether through bug reports on the issue council, feedback on the forums, or the creation of content inspired by the game, Star Citizen is only possible because of the community. Citizens of the Stars not only highlights these contributions, but also puts a dev in the hotseat for a round of Quantum Questions, which addresses some fun facts about the dev and game. Pyrophoric joins the Citizen Spotlight to discuss ‘VerseCon 2017. Then tech designer Matt Sherman answers Quantum Questions about the Cutlass, ship trails and more Remember, many of the questions used are taken from our Star Citizen Subscribers in this thread here. Don’t forget to add yours for inclusion in future episodes, vote for the ones you want to see answered, and remember to keep them short and concise if you want your best chance of having them answered in under two minutes. The links for this week’s content are below: CITIZEN SPOTLIGHT Pyrophoric and VerseCon TOP 5: Argo and Starfarer Artwork by Harlan Kovacs Carrack Built in Minecraft with Interior by Alcatraz Skywalker LEGO Aurora by Coja “Scornshell” Mackin RSI Aurora Poster by Okaf Jaeger MVP: 3D Printed Multitool by Alcatraz Skywalker View the full article

Join Live Designer Gareth Bourn and Jared Huckaby as they create solar systems using the new SolEd tool with input from the community. And for info on becoming a subscriber, go to: https://robertsspaceindustries.com/pledge/subscriptions View the full article

Join Live Designer Gareth Bourn and Jared Huckaby as they create solar systems using the new SolEd tool with input from the community. And for info on becoming a subscriber, go to: https://robertsspaceindustries.com/pledge/subscriptions View the full article

Chris Roberts and Sandi Gardiner host this episode, which features a look at the Tumbril Cyclone and an exploration of the tech needed to get one ship to persist in another ship’s hangar. Plus, Austin and Turbulent provide updates. And for info on becoming a subscriber, go to: https://robertsspaceindustries.com/pledge/subscriptions View the full article

Chris Roberts and Sandi Gardiner host this episode, which features a look at the Tumbril Cyclone and an exploration of the tech needed to get one ship to persist in another ship’s hangar. Plus, Austin and Turbulent provide updates. And for info on becoming a subscriber, go to: https://robertsspaceindustries.com/pledge/subscriptions View the full article

Lead Writer Dave Haddock explores the Garron System and tells its tragic tale. Hear about how the Messer’s greed destroyed Garron II’s native population and directly led to their political downfall. Also, check out the early Time Capsule post about the system: https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/spectrum-dispatch/12715-2792-The-Tide-Rises Remember that you can always explore the Star Citizen Universe yourself in our web-based Ark Star Map. View the full article

Lead Writer Dave Haddock explores the Garron System and tells its tragic tale. Hear about how the Messer’s greed destroyed Garron II’s native population and directly led to their political downfall. Also, check out the early Time Capsule post about the system: https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/spectrum-dispatch/12715-2792-The-Tide-Rises Remember that you can always explore the Star Citizen Universe yourself in our web-based Ark Star Map. View the full article

Q&A: Tumbril Cyclone Greetings Citizens! Since the introduction of the Hull Series back in April 2015, every new concept ship reveal has had an accompanying Q&A post, where we spend a couple days collecting questions from you, pass those on to the relevant ship designer, and provide you the best answers we have available at that time. With the addition of Spectrum earlier this year, we can now allow you to add your vote to the questions you most want to see answered. The questions included below are a combination of those that received the most votes, similar questions that were merged into a single instance, and those we felt we could comfortably answer at this stage in the Tumbril Cyclone’s life. As the Cyclone is only in concept stage, there are still some unanswered questions we’re currently pursuing in development. As the game continues to be fleshed out, those missing answers will be determined and implemented. While it will still be some time before we see the Tumbril Cyclone in game, we hope you’re as excited as we are as the game expands with the addition of another ground-based vehicle to the Star Citizen universe. As always, a special thanks to Stephen Hosmer, Ben Lesnick and Steven Kam for their help in answering your questions. Let’s get to it. -DL [/segment] What ships will the Tumbril Cyclone fit into? The concept model is currently sitting at 5.71m x 3.25m x 2.26m, but as with everything in Star Citizen, its size is subject to change as it is built out and implemented in game. At present, this makes the Cyclone smaller than an Ursa Rover but larger than a Dragonfly or Nox. Our current intention is that anything that fits an Ursa will fit the Cyclone, including the Constellation. For ships like the Cutlass and Freelancer, it may technically fit in their cargo bays, but because the ramps are tapered, a Cyclone would likely not be able to load up into it. Are the Cyclone variants “modular?” Can we just swap the boxes out on the base model to make the variants? While this system is not currently available in game, it is something we’re interested in exploring once that time comes. When the Cyclone is added to the game, we expect them to function as variants for the time being. How much cargo can it carry? Currently, the base version of the Cyclone is set to carry 1 SCU of cargo. What can be picked up by the Cyclone RN’s scanner? People? Buildings? Derelicts? Loot? Ships? As with all scanner systems in the game, it will pick up anything with a detectable signature, such as IR or EM. The difficulty of picking up that signal will depend on the item’s output and your equipment. It wouldn’t tell you if there’s a derelict or loot around the corner, but it should be able to tell you that there’s a large structure in the distance and it’s up to you to decide if you want to go check it out. That said, the RN’s upgraded radar system will have a longer range and better detection capabilities than the standard Cyclone, along with data banks to store a larger amount of scanned data to help with the mapping of a planet’s surface. How fast can the Cyclone and its variants go and how do they compare to the Ursa and Lynx rovers in terms of speed and acceleration? We don’t have specific numbers yet, as the Cyclone is still in concept, and this will come with game balance and tuning, but it should be faster in speed and acceleration than the Ursa. We’re aiming for it to be about twice as fast as an Ursa and the RC version will be even faster than that when boosting. Will it launch with 3.0? The Cyclone will not launch with 3.0. Backers with a Cyclone on their account will receive an Ursa loaner vehicle until the buggies are completed in a future 3.x patch. Can a Cyclone end up on its side or roof? If so, how do we right the vehicle post-accident? The Cyclone features jump-jet thrusters meant to stabilize the vehicle when it becomes airborne. These will attempt to correct any deviation in the vehicle and provide a softer landing. Despite this, it is possible that your Cyclone could find itself flipped, turned upside down. Should this happen, we recommend you take a minute to sit right there, tell everyone how you became the prince of a town called Bel-Air… and then get out and lift. Is more protection for the exposed driver being considered for the combat versions, or will a cockpit shot be a one-hit kill? The Cyclone is equipped with vehicle shields to protect the occupants from enemy fire. More info on these shields will come when the Cyclone is implemented in game. What are the pros and cons of the Cyclone compared to other land vehicles when it comes to terrain, handling, speed, utility, and combat? The Cyclone is meant to be in the middle of the road between the Ursa and the Nox. The Ursa is slow and sturdy, and the Nox is fast but less rugged. The Cyclone aims to strike a favorable balance with a tough vehicle that also can’t be discounted in the speed department. Additionally, it should handle most any terrain using its articulated treads to increase its grip. The Cyclone has four-wheel steering which gives it better stability while maneuvering at high speeds and a decreased turning radius at low speeds. Of course, its utility and combat effectiveness will depend on the skill of the driver, and the version you bring with you. Will the co-pilot of the cyclone be able to shoot their personal weapons while seated? This is functionality we intend to add to the game. We have no ETA for this feature at this time. Is the Cyclone protected by a shield? Yes. Details on the shield are included in a previous answer. Can the Cyclone pull a trailer? Currently there are no plans to implement trailers in the game. If this changes in the future, the Cyclone would be an appropriate candidate for hauling one around. Can we re-arm missiles in Anti-Aircraft variants in field conditions? The missile racks are the same racks already in use on ships and thus would need to be re-armed in the same way. We’ll have more details on how that functionality will work when the time comes. Can the hubs inside the wheels move from the bottom we’ve seen in pictures to the top to give more ground clearance? Unfortunately, no. At present, we have no plans to add any functionality like this, but the articulated treads can be deployed to increase traction at the cost of speed. The Cyclone being a wheeled vehicle and all, will it have less of a detectable sig vs. a hover bike like a Dragonfly or Nox? The Cyclone uses similar Vehicle-class parts as the Dragonfly and Nox, making its EM signature very similar, while it’s IR signature should be significantly reduced as it is not equipped with as many thrusters and Grav-Levs that can run hot if not managed properly. Then again, if you’re racing around and pushing the Cyclone to its limits, you may get noticed. cyc cyc-tr cyc-rc cyc-rn cyc-aa CYC The baseline model of the Cyclone features an open flatbed in the back where cargo pieces can be safely secured and transported, making it a perfect transport for homesteads or as a short-range vehicle for planetary deliveries. CYC-TR Designed for militia and security use, the Cyclone TR module features upgraded armor and a single Human-operated turret capable of mounting a Size 1 weapon and a responsive 360° field of fire. CYC-RC For those who like to push the limits of speed, the Cyclone RC features a modified intake system to allow for controlled bursts of speed as well as tools to customize handling. CYC-RN Stay mobile and aware with the Cyclone RN. This light reconnaissance vehicle is the perfect solution for scouting runs, providing fast and detailed scans of terrain as well as beacon placement. CYC-AA A battlefield equalizer, the Cyclone AA comes equipped with a surface-to-air missile and countermeasure package to provide cover for ground troops against airborne targets. Click To Read [/segment] [/article]View the full article

Q&A: Tumbril Cyclone Greetings Citizens! Since the introduction of the Hull Series back in April 2015, every new concept ship reveal has had an accompanying Q&A post, where we spend a couple days collecting questions from you, pass those on to the relevant ship designer, and provide you the best answers we have available at that time. With the addition of Spectrum earlier this year, we can now allow you to add your vote to the questions you most want to see answered. The questions included below are a combination of those that received the most votes, similar questions that were merged into a single instance, and those we felt we could comfortably answer at this stage in the Tumbril Cyclone’s life. As the Cyclone is only in concept stage, there are still some unanswered questions we’re currently pursuing in development. As the game continues to be fleshed out, those missing answers will be determined and implemented. While it will still be some time before we see the Tumbril Cyclone in game, we hope you’re as excited as we are as the game expands with the addition of another ground-based vehicle to the Star Citizen universe. As always, a special thanks to Stephen Hosmer, Ben Lesnick and Steven Kam for their help in answering your questions. Let’s get to it. -DL [/segment] What ships will the Tumbril Cyclone fit into? The concept model is currently sitting at 5.71m x 3.25m x 2.26m, but as with everything in Star Citizen, its size is subject to change as it is built out and implemented in game. At present, this makes the Cyclone smaller than an Ursa Rover but larger than a Dragonfly or Nox. Our current intention is that anything that fits an Ursa will fit the Cyclone, including the Constellation. For ships like the Cutlass and Freelancer, it may technically fit in their cargo bays, but because the ramps are tapered, a Cyclone would likely not be able to load up into it. Are the Cyclone variants “modular?” Can we just swap the boxes out on the base model to make the variants? While this system is not currently available in game, it is something we’re interested in exploring once that time comes. When the Cyclone is added to the game, we expect them to function as variants for the time being. How much cargo can it carry? Currently, the base version of the Cyclone is set to carry 1 SCU of cargo. What can be picked up by the Cyclone RN’s scanner? People? Buildings? Derelicts? Loot? Ships? As with all scanner systems in the game, it will pick up anything with a detectable signature, such as IR or EM. The difficulty of picking up that signal will depend on the item’s output and your equipment. It wouldn’t tell you if there’s a derelict or loot around the corner, but it should be able to tell you that there’s a large structure in the distance and it’s up to you to decide if you want to go check it out. That said, the RN’s upgraded radar system will have a longer range and better detection capabilities than the standard Cyclone, along with data banks to store a larger amount of scanned data to help with the mapping of a planet’s surface. How fast can the Cyclone and its variants go and how do they compare to the Ursa and Lynx rovers in terms of speed and acceleration? We don’t have specific numbers yet, as the Cyclone is still in concept, and this will come with game balance and tuning, but it should be faster in speed and acceleration than the Ursa. We’re aiming for it to be about twice as fast as an Ursa and the RC version will be even faster than that when boosting. Will it launch with 3.0? The Cyclone will not launch with 3.0. Backers with a Cyclone on their account will receive an Ursa loaner vehicle until the buggies are completed in a future 3.x patch. Can a Cyclone end up on its side or roof? If so, how do we right the vehicle post-accident? The Cyclone features jump-jet thrusters meant to stabilize the vehicle when it becomes airborne. These will attempt to correct any deviation in the vehicle and provide a softer landing. Despite this, it is possible that your Cyclone could find itself flipped, turned upside down. Should this happen, we recommend you take a minute to sit right there, tell everyone how you became the prince of a town called Bel-Air… and then get out and lift. Is more protection for the exposed driver being considered for the combat versions, or will a cockpit shot be a one-hit kill? The Cyclone is equipped with vehicle shields to protect the occupants from enemy fire. More info on these shields will come when the Cyclone is implemented in game. What are the pros and cons of the Cyclone compared to other land vehicles when it comes to terrain, handling, speed, utility, and combat? The Cyclone is meant to be in the middle of the road between the Ursa and the Nox. The Ursa is slow and sturdy, and the Nox is fast but less rugged. The Cyclone aims to strike a favorable balance with a tough vehicle that also can’t be discounted in the speed department. Additionally, it should handle most any terrain using its articulated treads to increase its grip. The Cyclone has four-wheel steering which gives it better stability while maneuvering at high speeds and a decreased turning radius at low speeds. Of course, its utility and combat effectiveness will depend on the skill of the driver, and the version you bring with you. Will the co-pilot of the cyclone be able to shoot their personal weapons while seated? This is functionality we intend to add to the game. We have no ETA for this feature at this time. Is the Cyclone protected by a shield? Yes. Details on the shield are included in a previous answer. Can the Cyclone pull a trailer? Currently there are no plans to implement trailers in the game. If this changes in the future, the Cyclone would be an appropriate candidate for hauling one around. Can we re-arm missiles in Anti-Aircraft variants in field conditions? The missile racks are the same racks already in use on ships and thus would need to be re-armed in the same way. We’ll have more details on how that functionality will work when the time comes. Can the hubs inside the wheels move from the bottom we’ve seen in pictures to the top to give more ground clearance? Unfortunately, no. At present, we have no plans to add any functionality like this, but the articulated treads can be deployed to increase traction at the cost of speed. The Cyclone being a wheeled vehicle and all, will it have less of a detectable sig vs. a hover bike like a Dragonfly or Nox? The Cyclone uses similar Vehicle-class parts as the Dragonfly and Nox, making its EM signature very similar, while it’s IR signature should be significantly reduced as it is not equipped with as many thrusters and Grav-Levs that can run hot if not managed properly. Then again, if you’re racing around and pushing the Cyclone to its limits, you may get noticed. cyc cyc-tr cyc-rc cyc-rn cyc-aa CYC The baseline model of the Cyclone features an open flatbed in the back where cargo pieces can be safely secured and transported, making it a perfect transport for homesteads or as a short-range vehicle for planetary deliveries. CYC-TR Designed for militia and security use, the Cyclone TR module features upgraded armor and a single Human-operated turret capable of mounting a Size 1 weapon and a responsive 360° field of fire. CYC-RC For those who like to push the limits of speed, the Cyclone RC features a modified intake system to allow for controlled bursts of speed as well as tools to customize handling. CYC-RN Stay mobile and aware with the Cyclone RN. This light reconnaissance vehicle is the perfect solution for scouting runs, providing fast and detailed scans of terrain as well as beacon placement. CYC-AA A battlefield equalizer, the Cyclone AA comes equipped with a surface-to-air missile and countermeasure package to provide cover for ground troops against airborne targets. Click To Read [/segment] [/article]View the full article

< Transmission Begins > In the land of misinformation, we must rely on the truth to be our guide. No matter how dark and hazy it gets, we must continue our crusade toward the light. This journey begins with us and it starts right here. My name is Parker Terrell, and it’s time for the Plain Truth. The other day, a news alert popped up on my mobi, a simple headline that said Storm Securities financed the failed assassination of Imperator Costigan. That was it. One simple, declarative statement and the alert went away. As it turns out, after evidence surfaced that this vaunted company had made payments to Maurice Vano, the assailant killed fleeing the failed assassination of Imperator Costigan, law enforcement raided their New Junction headquarters to look for more information. Publications were suddenly claiming that Storm Securities wasn’t just a company that had once hired Vano for some work. No, these so-called ‘news organizations’ decided to drop all pretense of due process and label Storm Securities as the financier behind the entire operation, without providing a shred of evidence outside of a single, unnamed source. Now, this took me a bit by surprise because I know the folks who run Storm Securities. Their founder, Hamsa Paul, is a friend of the show, actually. We had him on several years back after a few of their contractors were involved in an unfortunate incident with the Advocacy. But, we’ll circle back to that point later, because the second I read the news about Storm Securities, I reached out to Hamsa Paul for a comment. The truth of the matter is that Storm Securities hired Vano to do some legal security work and paid him out. That’s it. The company completes hundreds, if not thousands, of similar contracts every year. Yet, the Advocacy still kicked down their front door and used this small connection to Vano as an excuse to help themselves to the company’s records. I don’t believe the “unnamed Advocacy source” for a second. No, instead I see this new development as a sign that we’ve entered a dangerous new part of the investigation — score settling. The failed assassination of Imperator Costigan has triggered the UEE’s shadow state into action, affording them the political cover to attack their adversaries and further their own sinister agenda. Some of you have heard me rant and rave about this shadow state before — a cabal of people so powerful that most of the public isn’t aware that they’re the ones pulling the UEE’s strings. I know some of you are shaking your head, asking if this shadow state is so powerful and secretive, then why’s little ol’ Parker Terrell know about it? Because I’m paying attention. For instance, have you noticed how little information is truly out there about the attack on Imperator Costigan? Yeah, sure, every day a pundit hops on the spectrum to spin some wild new theory about how it was a Xi’an crime syndicate or some Tevarin separatist group behind it all. But the actual facts of the case are few and far between. Almost like someone doesn’t want us to know what really happened … Don’t believe me? Well, let’s take a moment and examine exactly what we know about the assassination. Let’s toss every bit of unconfirmed information out the hatch and focus on things we know. That we can prove. On May 30th, reports of an incident at the Banking Federation Summit in New York City flooded the spectrum. Two verified points rose above all the noise. First, that an assassination attempt aimed at Imperator Costigan had failed, but left one member of the 1st Marine Combat Battalion dead. Second, an individual believed to be involved in the attack was shot dead while fleeing the scene. Exactly one week after this dramatic incident, Imperator Costigan makes his first public appearance. He arrives on the Senate floor to advocate for the Human-Xi’an Trade Initiative moments before a vote is scheduled on it. This highly unorthodox move would’ve created a political firestorm under normal conditions. HuXa opponents fume at the theatrics, but understand that criticizing the Imperator at such a time would only backfire. A vote is held and HuXa passes by a razor thin margin. The morning after HuXa was passed, Advocacy Director Thomas Carmody holds his first press conference since the day of the failed assassination. He reveals the name of the individual killed fleeing the scene to be Maurice Vano. He also claims that Vano’s system had a “significant amount” of the new designer drug called Flow in it, but provides no relevant information past that. Journalists investigate Vano and reveal that he’s ex-Navy. He worked as a merc for decades and has some tenuous ties to a hardlined Terran independence group. The Advocacy raids his flat and hangars. Boxes upon boxes of personal belongings are removed, but there’s no further official comment. His neighbors are hauled in for interviews and then, according to one of them, advised to avoid making comments in the press. Some end up speaking to journalists anyway, but they all say the same thing: Vano kept to himself, but occasionally had outbursts of anger. A description that could be applied to many others. Despite his checkered past, very little information about his actions over the previous year has surfaced. That is, until last week’s raid on Storm Securities. Suddenly, someone in the Advocacy is leaking like a sieve, claiming that the company might’ve financed the entire operation. Doesn’t that seem strange? In the two months since the failed assassination, all we’ve gotten from the Advocacy are bare bones facts about the attack and the name of the assailant. There hasn’t been one other leak out of the Advocacy until this “source” came forward to claim that Storm Securities financed the operation. That got me wondering. Why now? Well, some of you out there, much like me, might not be too surprised by this turn of events. You might even remember exactly why Storm Securities founder Hamsa Paul was on the show a few years ago. If you don’t recall, back in 2945, a team of Storm Securities contractors were protecting a cargo hauler when it was jumped by members of the Otoni Syndicate. These security professionals turned the tables on their attackers and eliminated the threat, only to find out that one of the Otoni attackers was actually an undercover Advocacy agent. The Advocacy came after Storm Securities, claiming that the agent had attempted to notify the operators of his true identity in an effort to maintain his cover, and that the company was liable for what happened. They made Hamsa Paul’s life a living hell for a year, but for all the Advocacy’s bluster, Storm Securities was ultimately cleared of all charges. They put the tragic event behind them, but the Advocacy doesn’t seem to have moved on. It seems to me that scores are being settled, and this will be but the first controlled leak that happens. Despite all the lies designed to confuse or distract us, we must stay vigilant and on top of the truth more than ever before. The future of the UEE depends on it. We need to take a quick break. When the Plain Truth returns, I’ll be speaking with Ezra Talen about the shadow state and his new book Whispers & Handshakes, which examines how the real empire-building is happening behind the scenes. That, and more, when we return. View the full article

< Transmission Begins > In the land of misinformation, we must rely on the truth to be our guide. No matter how dark and hazy it gets, we must continue our crusade toward the light. This journey begins with us and it starts right here. My name is Parker Terrell, and it’s time for the Plain Truth. The other day, a news alert popped up on my mobi, a simple headline that said Storm Securities financed the failed assassination of Imperator Costigan. That was it. One simple, declarative statement and the alert went away. As it turns out, after evidence surfaced that this vaunted company had made payments to Maurice Vano, the assailant killed fleeing the failed assassination of Imperator Costigan, law enforcement raided their New Junction headquarters to look for more information. Publications were suddenly claiming that Storm Securities wasn’t just a company that had once hired Vano for some work. No, these so-called ‘news organizations’ decided to drop all pretense of due process and label Storm Securities as the financier behind the entire operation, without providing a shred of evidence outside of a single, unnamed source. Now, this took me a bit by surprise because I know the folks who run Storm Securities. Their founder, Hamsa Paul, is a friend of the show, actually. We had him on several years back after a few of their contractors were involved in an unfortunate incident with the Advocacy. But, we’ll circle back to that point later, because the second I read the news about Storm Securities, I reached out to Hamsa Paul for a comment. The truth of the matter is that Storm Securities hired Vano to do some legal security work and paid him out. That’s it. The company completes hundreds, if not thousands, of similar contracts every year. Yet, the Advocacy still kicked down their front door and used this small connection to Vano as an excuse to help themselves to the company’s records. I don’t believe the “unnamed Advocacy source” for a second. No, instead I see this new development as a sign that we’ve entered a dangerous new part of the investigation — score settling. The failed assassination of Imperator Costigan has triggered the UEE’s shadow state into action, affording them the political cover to attack their adversaries and further their own sinister agenda. Some of you have heard me rant and rave about this shadow state before — a cabal of people so powerful that most of the public isn’t aware that they’re the ones pulling the UEE’s strings. I know some of you are shaking your head, asking if this shadow state is so powerful and secretive, then why’s little ol’ Parker Terrell know about it? Because I’m paying attention. For instance, have you noticed how little information is truly out there about the attack on Imperator Costigan? Yeah, sure, every day a pundit hops on the spectrum to spin some wild new theory about how it was a Xi’an crime syndicate or some Tevarin separatist group behind it all. But the actual facts of the case are few and far between. Almost like someone doesn’t want us to know what really happened … Don’t believe me? Well, let’s take a moment and examine exactly what we know about the assassination. Let’s toss every bit of unconfirmed information out the hatch and focus on things we know. That we can prove. On May 30th, reports of an incident at the Banking Federation Summit in New York City flooded the spectrum. Two verified points rose above all the noise. First, that an assassination attempt aimed at Imperator Costigan had failed, but left one member of the 1st Marine Combat Battalion dead. Second, an individual believed to be involved in the attack was shot dead while fleeing the scene. Exactly one week after this dramatic incident, Imperator Costigan makes his first public appearance. He arrives on the Senate floor to advocate for the Human-Xi’an Trade Initiative moments before a vote is scheduled on it. This highly unorthodox move would’ve created a political firestorm under normal conditions. HuXa opponents fume at the theatrics, but understand that criticizing the Imperator at such a time would only backfire. A vote is held and HuXa passes by a razor thin margin. The morning after HuXa was passed, Advocacy Director Thomas Carmody holds his first press conference since the day of the failed assassination. He reveals the name of the individual killed fleeing the scene to be Maurice Vano. He also claims that Vano’s system had a “significant amount” of the new designer drug called Flow in it, but provides no relevant information past that. Journalists investigate Vano and reveal that he’s ex-Navy. He worked as a merc for decades and has some tenuous ties to a hardlined Terran independence group. The Advocacy raids his flat and hangars. Boxes upon boxes of personal belongings are removed, but there’s no further official comment. His neighbors are hauled in for interviews and then, according to one of them, advised to avoid making comments in the press. Some end up speaking to journalists anyway, but they all say the same thing: Vano kept to himself, but occasionally had outbursts of anger. A description that could be applied to many others. Despite his checkered past, very little information about his actions over the previous year has surfaced. That is, until last week’s raid on Storm Securities. Suddenly, someone in the Advocacy is leaking like a sieve, claiming that the company might’ve financed the entire operation. Doesn’t that seem strange? In the two months since the failed assassination, all we’ve gotten from the Advocacy are bare bones facts about the attack and the name of the assailant. There hasn’t been one other leak out of the Advocacy until this “source” came forward to claim that Storm Securities financed the operation. That got me wondering. Why now? Well, some of you out there, much like me, might not be too surprised by this turn of events. You might even remember exactly why Storm Securities founder Hamsa Paul was on the show a few years ago. If you don’t recall, back in 2945, a team of Storm Securities contractors were protecting a cargo hauler when it was jumped by members of the Otoni Syndicate. These security professionals turned the tables on their attackers and eliminated the threat, only to find out that one of the Otoni attackers was actually an undercover Advocacy agent. The Advocacy came after Storm Securities, claiming that the agent had attempted to notify the operators of his true identity in an effort to maintain his cover, and that the company was liable for what happened. They made Hamsa Paul’s life a living hell for a year, but for all the Advocacy’s bluster, Storm Securities was ultimately cleared of all charges. They put the tragic event behind them, but the Advocacy doesn’t seem to have moved on. It seems to me that scores are being settled, and this will be but the first controlled leak that happens. Despite all the lies designed to confuse or distract us, we must stay vigilant and on top of the truth more than ever before. The future of the UEE depends on it. We need to take a quick break. When the Plain Truth returns, I’ll be speaking with Ezra Talen about the shadow state and his new book Whispers & Handshakes, which examines how the real empire-building is happening behind the scenes. That, and more, when we return. View the full article

Greetings Citizens Greetings Citizens, We ended the last week with the unveiling of a new manufacturer, Tumbril Land Systems and its inaugural vehicle; the Cyclone. It includes 4 additional variants to handle cargo, turrets, reconnaissance and ground support roles. The concept sale for the Tumbril Cyclone lasts until August 2nd, so visit the sales page here and pick up yours today! With that, lets take a look at this week. Today, the newest episode of Citizens of the Stars now available! This week, PrincessFray joins the Citizen Spotlight to discuss the fun content created by The Damn Shames org. Plus, Cameron Wilkie has the answers in this round of Quantum Questions. On Tuesday, the Lore Team gives us another rich and interesting look at the history in Star Citizen. Every week is something new from the story of Star Citizen. I can’t wait to learn more about this rich and in-depth universe. Follow that on Wednesday, Mark Abent is back with another episode of “Bugsmashers!” What issue will he battle this week? You’ll have to wait and see here. Also, the Tumbril Cyclone Q&A will be available. We’ve picked the questions most voted on by you! On Thursday, Around the Verse returns with an update from Jake Ross in our Austin, Texas studio and Benoit Beausejour from Turbulent! On Friday, you asked for it and we delivered. Join Jared Huckaby and special guest Live Designer Gareth Bourn for Happy Hour Gamedev: Building a Solar System. Gareth walks us through SolEd to build a solar system using feedback from the viewers! You won’t want to miss it. That’s all for this week, we’ll see you in the ‘Verse! Tyler “AdmiralSloth” Nolin Community Manager The Weekly Community Content Schedule MONDAY, JULY 24TH, 2017 Citizens of the Stars (https://www.youtube.com/user/RobertsSpaceInd/) TUESDAY, JULY 25TH, 2017 Weekly Lore Post (https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/spectrum-dispatch) WEDNESDAY, JULY 26TH, 2017 Cyclone Q&A Bugsmashers! (https://www.youtube.com/user/RobertsSpaceInd/) THURSDAY, JULY 27TH, 2017 Around the Verse - ATX & Turbulent Update (https://www.youtube.com/user/RobertsSpaceInd/) Vault Update FRIDAY, JULY 28ST, 2017 Happy Hour Gamedev: Building A Solar System (https://www.twitch.tv/starcitizen) RSI Newsletter Community Spotlight: July 24TH, 2017 We are constantly amazed by the contributions made by the Star Citizen community. Whether it’s fan art, a cinematic, a YouTube guide, or even a 3D print of your favorite ship, we love it all! Don’t forget to submit your content to our Community Hub for a chance at seeing it here! Argo and Starfarer Artwork Vinchoc create a retro-pop style artwork of the Argo and Starfarer. It’s a different art style than we are using to seeing, but it has fantastic color and shading. A new favorite! Community Hub post here 890 Jump Poster Olaf Jaeger has created another stunning piece to his collection of ship posters in Star Citizen. This time it is the 890 Jump, and it’s my favorite yet. I hope one day you can create the Merchantman. Community Hub post here Star Citizen Pins RaxsisOhnaka took the time to create pins representing each role that players can have while in Star Citizen. Make sure to click the post to view the entire set! Community Hub post here View the full article

Greetings Citizens Greetings Citizens, We ended the last week with the unveiling of a new manufacturer, Tumbril Land Systems and its inaugural vehicle; the Cyclone. It includes 4 additional variants to handle cargo, turrets, reconnaissance and ground support roles. The concept sale for the Tumbril Cyclone lasts until August 2nd, so visit the sales page here and pick up yours today! With that, lets take a look at this week. Today, the newest episode of Citizens of the Stars now available! This week, PrincessFray joins the Citizen Spotlight to discuss the fun content created by The Damn Shames org. Plus, Cameron Wilkie has the answers in this round of Quantum Questions. On Tuesday, the Lore Team gives us another rich and interesting look at the history in Star Citizen. Every week is something new from the story of Star Citizen. I can’t wait to learn more about this rich and in-depth universe. Follow that on Wednesday, Mark Abent is back with another episode of “Bugsmashers!” What issue will he battle this week? You’ll have to wait and see here. Also, the Tumbril Cyclone Q&A will be available. We’ve picked the questions most voted on by you! On Thursday, Around the Verse returns with an update from Jake Ross in our Austin, Texas studio and Benoit Beausejour from Turbulent! On Friday, you asked for it and we delivered. Join Jared Huckaby and special guest Live Designer Gareth Bourn for Happy Hour Gamedev: Building a Solar System. Gareth walks us through SolEd to build a solar system using feedback from the viewers! You won’t want to miss it. That’s all for this week, we’ll see you in the ‘Verse! Tyler “AdmiralSloth” Nolin Community Manager The Weekly Community Content Schedule MONDAY, JULY 24TH, 2017 Citizens of the Stars (https://www.youtube.com/user/RobertsSpaceInd/) TUESDAY, JULY 25TH, 2017 Weekly Lore Post (https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/spectrum-dispatch) WEDNESDAY, JULY 26TH, 2017 Cyclone Q&A Bugsmashers! (https://www.youtube.com/user/RobertsSpaceInd/) THURSDAY, JULY 27TH, 2017 Around the Verse - ATX & Turbulent Update (https://www.youtube.com/user/RobertsSpaceInd/) Vault Update FRIDAY, JULY 28ST, 2017 Happy Hour Gamedev: Building A Solar System (https://www.twitch.tv/starcitizen) RSI Newsletter Community Spotlight: July 24TH, 2017 We are constantly amazed by the contributions made by the Star Citizen community. Whether it’s fan art, a cinematic, a YouTube guide, or even a 3D print of your favorite ship, we love it all! Don’t forget to submit your content to our Community Hub for a chance at seeing it here! Argo and Starfarer Artwork Vinchoc create a retro-pop style artwork of the Argo and Starfarer. It’s a different art style than we are using to seeing, but it has fantastic color and shading. A new favorite! Community Hub post here 890 Jump Poster Olaf Jaeger has created another stunning piece to his collection of ship posters in Star Citizen. This time it is the 890 Jump, and it’s my favorite yet. I hope one day you can create the Merchantman. Community Hub post here Star Citizen Pins RaxsisOhnaka took the time to create pins representing each role that players can have while in Star Citizen. Make sure to click the post to view the entire set! Community Hub post here View the full article

Welcome to Citizens of the Stars, our new weekly program exclusively about you, the Star Citizen Community. Whether through bug reports on the issue council, feedback on the forums, or the creation of content inspired by the game, Star Citizen is only possible because of the community. Citizens of the Stars not only highlights these contributions, but also puts a dev in the hotseat for a round of Quantum Questions, which addresses some fun facts about the dev and game. This week, PrincessFray joins the Citizen Spotlight to discuss the fun content created by The Damn Shames org. Plus, Cameron Wilkie has the answers in this round of Quantum Questions. Remember, many of the questions used are taken from our Star Citizen Subscribers in this thread here. Don’t forget to add yours for inclusion in future episodes, vote for the ones you want to see answered, and remember to keep them short and concise if you want your best chance of having them answered in under two minutes. The links for this week’s content are below: CITIZEN SPOTLIGHT Princess Fray and The Damn Shames TOP 5: Vanduul Glaive Laser Craft Model by Ricemaiden ALEX_S189 and the SaR | Machinima Short MISC Offloader by EremiticWolf PathogenUK and their Squadron 42 Sabre Desktop Wallpaper MVP: Vintyr’en and Evil Ways View the full article

Welcome to Citizens of the Stars, our new weekly program exclusively about you, the Star Citizen Community. Whether through bug reports on the issue council, feedback on the forums, or the creation of content inspired by the game, Star Citizen is only possible because of the community. Citizens of the Stars not only highlights these contributions, but also puts a dev in the hotseat for a round of Quantum Questions, which addresses some fun facts about the dev and game. This week, PrincessFray joins the Citizen Spotlight to discuss the fun content created by The Damn Shames org. Plus, Cameron Wilkie has the answers in this round of Quantum Questions. Remember, many of the questions used are taken from our Star Citizen Subscribers in this thread here. Don’t forget to add yours for inclusion in future episodes, vote for the ones you want to see answered, and remember to keep them short and concise if you want your best chance of having them answered in under two minutes. The links for this week’s content are below: CITIZEN SPOTLIGHT Princess Fray and The Damn Shames TOP 5: Vanduul Glaive Laser Craft Model by Ricemaiden ALEX_S189 and the SaR | Machinima Short MISC Offloader by EremiticWolf PathogenUK and their Squadron 42 Sabre Desktop Wallpaper MVP: Vintyr’en and Evil Ways View the full article

Jump Point Now Available! Attention development subscribers: the July 2017 issue of Jump Point is now available in your subscription area. This month’s Jump Point features the development of the Nox space bike! That, plus a look at Trade and Development, a visit to the Pallas System, behind the scenes with the community engagement team and an all-new chapter a Star Citizen serial! Grab your copy today. Interested in becoming a development subscriber? You can learn more here. View the full article

Jump Point Now Available! Attention development subscribers: the July 2017 issue of Jump Point is now available in your subscription area. This month’s Jump Point features the development of the Nox space bike! That, plus a look at Trade and Development, a visit to the Pallas System, behind the scenes with the community engagement team and an all-new chapter a Star Citizen serial! Grab your copy today. Interested in becoming a development subscriber? You can learn more here. View the full article

Versatility, Maneuverability and Power aren't mutually exclusive anymore. Meet the future of ground-based vehicles. Dual operator terminals provide total control. The Cyclone provides multiple interactive displays to give both the driver and co-pilot ultimate control of their vehicle and its systems. The Co-pilot's seat not only gives the ability to survey the area, but also provides controls to additional systems provided by the various modules. WITH THIS MUCH ADVENTURE IN THE UNIVERSE, WHO NEEDS ROADS? WITH THE SIZE ONE TURRET MOUNT, THE CYCLONE-TR IS ROUGH AND READY TO TUMBLE. The Cyclone's exclusive X-TEC tires handle all kinds of terrain. Built using Tumbril's proprietary new Smart-Technology, the new X-TEC tires are the perfect solution for off-road vehicles. These articulated treads can change their configuration to handle soft and loose terrain or harder surfaces to provide equal traction, no matter the environment. build your cyclone today at your local tumbril dealer Cyclone Sale select your category cyc cyc-tr cyc-rc cyc-rn cyc-aa CYC The baseline model of the Cyclone features an open flatbed in the back where cargo pieces can be safely secured and transported, making it a perfect transport for homesteads or as a short-range vehicle for planetary deliveries. CYC-TR Designed for militia and security use, the Cyclone TR module features upgraded armor and a single Human-operated turret capable of mounting a Size 1 weapon and a responsive 360° field of fire. CYC-RC For those who like to push the limits of speed, the Cyclone RC features a modified intake system to allow for controlled bursts of speed as well as tools to customize handling. CYC-RN Stay mobile and aware with the Cyclone RN. This light reconnaissance vehicle is the perfect solution for scouting runs, providing fast and detailed scans of terrain as well as beacon placement. CYC-AA A battlefield equalizer, the Cyclone AA comes equipped with a surface-to-air missile and countermeasure package to provide cover for ground troops against airborne targets. Meet The Cyclone Take an exclusive look under the hood of the new Cyclone in this exciting brochure and see what's in store for this brand new incarnation of Tumbril Land Systems. Open the Magazine or Download Click To Read The UEE Department of Transportation & Navigation With the unveiling of the new Cyclone, Tumbril wanted to remind you that some businesses require a Class-G license to operate vehicles like the Cyclone. To that end, Tumbril has teamed up with the Department of Transportation and Navigation to provide a direct link to the appropriate written exam to get you rolling. Get your Class- G commercial Drivers License here! Image Gallery About The Concept Sale The Cyclone is being offered for the first time as a limited concept sale. This means that the vehicle design meets our specifications, but it is not yet ready to display in your Hangar or to fight in Star Citizen. The sale includes Lifetime Insurance on the vehicle hull and a pair of decorative items for your Hangar. A future patch will add a Cyclone poster and then once the in-game model is finished you will also be given an in-game Cyclone mini vehicle model! In the future, the vehicle price will increase and the offer will not include Life Time Insurance or these extras. If you’d like to add one to your fleet, they’re available in the pledge store until August 2nd, 2017. You can also view a detail of the Cyclone in the Holo Viewer in the Tech Overview of the vehicle page, and be sure to enjoy the Cyclone brochure. As with every Concept Sale, we will also be doing a Q&A post. There will be a forum thread on Spectrum to take your questions. Make sure to vote for the questions you most want to see answered and we will be posting the dev’s responses next week. Look for the Comm-Link Schedule next week to find out when that post will go up! What is a War Bond vehicle? War Bond vehicles and packages are a way to directly support Star Citizen’s continued development. Vehicles labeled War Bond are available at a discount, which is possible because they can not be purchased with store credit from melted items. Standard versions of these vehicles without the War Bond discount are typically offered for purchase using store credits at the same time a concept sale page goes live. Disclaimer Remember: we are offering this pledge ship to help fund Star Citizen’s development. The funding generated by sales such as this is what allows us to include deeper, non-combat oriented features in the Star Citizen world. All ships will be available for in-game credits in the final universe, and they are not required to start the game. The goal is to make additional ships available that give players a different experience rather than a particular advantage when the final persistent universe launches. View the full article

Versatility, Maneuverability and Power aren't mutually exclusive anymore. Meet the future of ground-based vehicles. Dual operator terminals provide total control. The Cyclone provides multiple interactive displays to give both the driver and co-pilot ultimate control of their vehicle and its systems. The Co-pilot's seat not only gives the ability to survey the area, but also provides controls to additional systems provided by the various modules. WITH THIS MUCH ADVENTURE IN THE UNIVERSE, WHO NEEDS ROADS? WITH THE SIZE ONE TURRET MOUNT, THE CYCLONE-TR IS ROUGH AND READY TO TUMBLE. The Cyclone's exclusive X-TEC tires handle all kinds of terrain. Built using Tumbril's proprietary new Smart-Technology, the new X-TEC tires are the perfect solution for off-road vehicles. These articulated treads can change their configuration to handle soft and loose terrain or harder surfaces to provide equal traction, no matter the environment. build your cyclone today at your local tumbril dealer Cyclone Sale select your category cyc cyc-tr cyc-rc cyc-rn cyc-aa CYC The baseline model of the Cyclone features an open flatbed in the back where cargo pieces can be safely secured and transported, making it a perfect transport for homesteads or as a short-range vehicle for planetary deliveries. CYC-TR Designed for militia and security use, the Cyclone TR module features upgraded armor and a single Human-operated turret capable of mounting a Size 1 weapon and a responsive 360° field of fire. CYC-RC For those who like to push the limits of speed, the Cyclone RC features a modified intake system to allow for controlled bursts of speed as well as tools to customize handling. CYC-RN Stay mobile and aware with the Cyclone RN. This light reconnaissance vehicle is the perfect solution for scouting runs, providing fast and detailed scans of terrain as well as beacon placement. CYC-AA A battlefield equalizer, the Cyclone AA comes equipped with a surface-to-air missile and countermeasure package to provide cover for ground troops against airborne targets. Meet The Cyclone Take an exclusive look under the hood of the new Cyclone in this exciting brochure and see what's in store for this brand new incarnation of Tumbril Land Systems. Open the Magazine or Download Click To Read The UEE Department of Transportation & Navigation With the unveiling of the new Cyclone, Tumbril wanted to remind you that some businesses require a Class-G license to operate vehicles like the Cyclone. To that end, Tumbril has teamed up with the Department of Transportation and Navigation to provide a direct link to the appropriate written exam to get you rolling. Get your Class- G commercial Drivers License here! Image Gallery About The Concept Sale The Cyclone is being offered for the first time as a limited concept sale. This means that the vehicle design meets our specifications, but it is not yet ready to display in your Hangar or to fight in Star Citizen. The sale includes Lifetime Insurance on the vehicle hull and a pair of decorative items for your Hangar. A future patch will add a Cyclone poster and then once the in-game model is finished you will also be given an in-game Cyclone mini vehicle model! In the future, the vehicle price will increase and the offer will not include Life Time Insurance or these extras. If you’d like to add one to your fleet, they’re available in the pledge store until August 2nd, 2017. You can also view a detail of the Cyclone in the Holo Viewer in the Tech Overview of the vehicle page, and be sure to enjoy the Cyclone brochure. As with every Concept Sale, we will also be doing a Q&A post. There will be a forum thread on Spectrum to take your questions. Make sure to vote for the questions you most want to see answered and we will be posting the dev’s responses next week. Look for the Comm-Link Schedule next week to find out when that post will go up! What is a War Bond vehicle? War Bond vehicles and packages are a way to directly support Star Citizen’s continued development. Vehicles labeled War Bond are available at a discount, which is possible because they can not be purchased with store credit from melted items. Standard versions of these vehicles without the War Bond discount are typically offered for purchase using store credits at the same time a concept sale page goes live. Disclaimer Remember: we are offering this pledge ship to help fund Star Citizen’s development. The funding generated by sales such as this is what allows us to include deeper, non-combat oriented features in the Star Citizen world. All ships will be available for in-game credits in the final universe, and they are not required to start the game. The goal is to make additional ships available that give players a different experience rather than a particular advantage when the final persistent universe launches. View the full article

Sandi Gardiner and Will Weissbaum host this week’s episode, which focuses on kiosk and commodities coming in 3.0 and beyond. Plus, Brian Chambers provides an update from F42 Frankfurt. And for info on becoming a subscriber, go to: https://robertsspaceindustries.com/pledge/subscriptions View the full article

Sandi Gardiner and Will Weissbaum host this week’s episode, which focuses on kiosk and commodities coming in 3.0 and beyond. Plus, Brian Chambers provides an update from F42 Frankfurt. And for info on becoming a subscriber, go to: https://robertsspaceindustries.com/pledge/subscriptions View the full article

Archivist Cherie Heiberg tours the Centauri System. She provides scientific insight and historical context to this fascinating system. Remember that you can always explore the Star Citizen Universe yourself in our web-based Ark Star Map. View the full article

Archivist Cherie Heiberg tours the Centauri System. She provides scientific insight and historical context to this fascinating system. Remember that you can always explore the Star Citizen Universe yourself in our web-based Ark Star Map. View the full article

Commodities Chaos START TRANSMISSION: Welcome to another episode of Kaizen. My name’s Aaron Schere, and my goal is to guide you to financial solvency. On today’s show, we’ll be joined by Sasha Bart from the New United to discuss the current economic landscape, which has been volatile since the passing of the Human-Xi’an Trade Initiative last month. Hang tight for her thoughts on what’s going on. But, before that, let’s do a quick Market Breakdown. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Neither Schere, Kaizen nor Farnes Media Partners guarantees any specific outcome or profit. Before acting on information in this program, you should strongly consider seeking advice from your own financial or investment adviser. Let’s start with the DevCo Group. CEO Terrence Naban continues to turn heads with his aggressive acquisition of distressed securities. This week, the investment group made waves by acquiring a majority stake in Titus Tools, the failing construction equipment manufacturer. Naban assuaged concerns that mass layoffs were imminent at their Selene-based production facilities by promising the company would operate normally until DevCo completed a thorough review of the enterprise. Still, he stopped short of making any promises about what would happen once their review was done. Titus Tools joins a growing list of distressed companies that DevCo Group has acquired over the past few years. In particular, Naban seems to covet companies with prominent Empire-wide name recognition, seeing them as cheaper to relaunch with a streamlined marketing strategy. This was made apparent when DevCo Group partnered with numerous independent investors to purchase the Tumbril brand, which had been dormant since 2862. Now, with Titus Tools, it looks like Naban seems willing to continue testing this theory. Next, Storm Securities is in hot water once again. The Advocacy raided their corporate headquarters in New Junction, with a warrant relating to Maurice Vano, the failed assassin who made an attempt on Imperator Costigan’s life in May. Shortly after the raid, a report by the Terra Gazette alleged that Storm Securities over the previous few months had made several payments to a shell company owned by Vano. A statement released by Storm Securities said the payments were solely for “contract security services provided.” The company also claimed that it would be improper to elaborate on the matter due to the ongoing investigation and out of respect for the privacy of their clients. The statement did go on to strongly condemn the actions taken by Vano and vehemently deny any foreknowledge of them. Now, it’s time to switch gears. Here to discuss the current state of the UEE economy is our old friend, Sasha Bart. She’s been an economic correspondent for the New United for years and is a frequent guest on this show. As always, it’s a pleasure to have you here. Sasha Bart: Thanks for having me back. A lot has happened since you were last on the show. Besides the absolutely shocking attempt on Imperator Costigan’s life, the other big story has been the Senate narrowly passing the Human-Xi’an Trade Initiative. How has HuXa, as it’s commonly called, affected the current economic landscape? Sasha Bart: It’s shaken things up, that’s for sure. This is the largest trade deal passed in my lifetime, and it’s been fascinating to see it turn from a topic of debate among economists and scholars into a reality. What’s that reality looking like? Sasha Bart: Across the board, there’s been a noticeable spike in traffic passing through UEE systems connected to the Xi’an Empire. Most systems were prepared for the influx, but long lines still plague the Baker System. Some shipping concerns are recommending that their haulers avoid Baker, if at all possible, until the situation improves. How likely is it that things will improve anytime soon in Baker? Certain aspects of HuXa aren’t even in place yet, with many provisions being phased in over the next few months. I feel like traffic through the system will only increase as those come online. Sasha Bart: There’s been rumblings in the Senate about providing extra funding for Baker’s Customs Bureau, but it appears unlikely to happen anytime soon. Many Senators that opposed HuXa are refusing to even bring the matter up for debate, claiming that it’s illogical to discuss providing additional funds to an initiative that still isn’t fully implemented. Complicating matters, the budget is already stretched thin with the war against the Vanduul, Synthworld construction and the Empire’s many other financial responsibilities. I get the sense that right now it’ll be hard for anything HuXa related to receive further funding until it proves it can generate revenue to offset the cost. So, the Baker System and haulers caught in long customs lines are struggling to deal with HuXa. Who’s benefiting from it? Sasha Bart: Here’s an interesting one — the Bevic Group. The food and drink conglomerate? Sasha Bart: That’s right. This is one of those things I never would’ve expected, but makes complete sense. With the influx of Human haulers into Xi’an space, there’s also an increased demand for food that’s … well, not completely foreign to the Human palate. I spoke with a representative for Bevic Group the other day, who seemed just as surprised as me by this turn of events. Their business relationship with the Xi’an-owned Jysho Corporation has certainly paid off, as they are now providing food and drink vending machines to CTR stations all across the Xi’an Empire. The Jysho Corporation apparently wants a diverse range of Human food at all their CTR Stations to attract business from Human haulers on the other side of the border. It makes a lot of sense for CTR to provide similar services and amenities no matter which Empire they’re in. Sasha Bart: Absolutely. Now, let’s pivot to your latest column for the New United, which was titled “Commodities Chaos.” Anyone who’s been watching the commodities markets knows that their prices have been on a bit of a roller coaster ride. You did some digging around on this. What’s happening? Sasha Bart: Two words — rampant speculation. HuXa required the establishment of a special TDD commodities commission that would be staffed by both Human and Xi’an economists. Its purpose is to ensure, among many other things, that commodities dumping doesn’t occur. The last thing the UEE wants is for, say, cheap Xi’an metals to completely undercut and cripple the industry here, or vice-versa. According to your article, the uncertainty of when this will all happen and how it’ll subsequently affect commodity prices are what’s fueling all this recent speculation. Sasha Bart: Precisely. No one knows exactly what’s going to happen, but everyone is hoping to exploit these arbitrage opportunities. For example, I highlighted this in my article by profiling two investors with large stakes in praseodymium. One of the investors is absolutely convinced, after conducting extensive research, that the price of praseodymium will plummet once HuXa is fully implemented. Meanwhile, Yussef, the other investor, firmly believes the price will skyrocket. Both are convinced that they’re right, and have strong arguments to back their claims. It’s convictions like these that are driving the speculation across various commodities. We need to take a quick commercial break, but don’t go anywhere. Sasha Bart for the New United will be back with us to discuss how the mining industry is preparing itself for increased competition from Xi’an markets. That and more when Kaizen returns. View the full article

Commodities Chaos START TRANSMISSION: Welcome to another episode of Kaizen. My name’s Aaron Schere, and my goal is to guide you to financial solvency. On today’s show, we’ll be joined by Sasha Bart from the New United to discuss the current economic landscape, which has been volatile since the passing of the Human-Xi’an Trade Initiative last month. Hang tight for her thoughts on what’s going on. But, before that, let’s do a quick Market Breakdown. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Neither Schere, Kaizen nor Farnes Media Partners guarantees any specific outcome or profit. Before acting on information in this program, you should strongly consider seeking advice from your own financial or investment adviser. Let’s start with the DevCo Group. CEO Terrence Naban continues to turn heads with his aggressive acquisition of distressed securities. This week, the investment group made waves by acquiring a majority stake in Titus Tools, the failing construction equipment manufacturer. Naban assuaged concerns that mass layoffs were imminent at their Selene-based production facilities by promising the company would operate normally until DevCo completed a thorough review of the enterprise. Still, he stopped short of making any promises about what would happen once their review was done. Titus Tools joins a growing list of distressed companies that DevCo Group has acquired over the past few years. In particular, Naban seems to covet companies with prominent Empire-wide name recognition, seeing them as cheaper to relaunch with a streamlined marketing strategy. This was made apparent when DevCo Group partnered with numerous independent investors to purchase the Tumbril brand, which had been dormant since 2862. Now, with Titus Tools, it looks like Naban seems willing to continue testing this theory. Next, Storm Securities is in hot water once again. The Advocacy raided their corporate headquarters in New Junction, with a warrant relating to Maurice Vano, the failed assassin who made an attempt on Imperator Costigan’s life in May. Shortly after the raid, a report by the Terra Gazette alleged that Storm Securities over the previous few months had made several payments to a shell company owned by Vano. A statement released by Storm Securities said the payments were solely for “contract security services provided.” The company also claimed that it would be improper to elaborate on the matter due to the ongoing investigation and out of respect for the privacy of their clients. The statement did go on to strongly condemn the actions taken by Vano and vehemently deny any foreknowledge of them. Now, it’s time to switch gears. Here to discuss the current state of the UEE economy is our old friend, Sasha Bart. She’s been an economic correspondent for the New United for years and is a frequent guest on this show. As always, it’s a pleasure to have you here. Sasha Bart: Thanks for having me back. A lot has happened since you were last on the show. Besides the absolutely shocking attempt on Imperator Costigan’s life, the other big story has been the Senate narrowly passing the Human-Xi’an Trade Initiative. How has HuXa, as it’s commonly called, affected the current economic landscape? Sasha Bart: It’s shaken things up, that’s for sure. This is the largest trade deal passed in my lifetime, and it’s been fascinating to see it turn from a topic of debate among economists and scholars into a reality. What’s that reality looking like? Sasha Bart: Across the board, there’s been a noticeable spike in traffic passing through UEE systems connected to the Xi’an Empire. Most systems were prepared for the influx, but long lines still plague the Baker System. Some shipping concerns are recommending that their haulers avoid Baker, if at all possible, until the situation improves. How likely is it that things will improve anytime soon in Baker? Certain aspects of HuXa aren’t even in place yet, with many provisions being phased in over the next few months. I feel like traffic through the system will only increase as those come online. Sasha Bart: There’s been rumblings in the Senate about providing extra funding for Baker’s Customs Bureau, but it appears unlikely to happen anytime soon. Many Senators that opposed HuXa are refusing to even bring the matter up for debate, claiming that it’s illogical to discuss providing additional funds to an initiative that still isn’t fully implemented. Complicating matters, the budget is already stretched thin with the war against the Vanduul, Synthworld construction and the Empire’s many other financial responsibilities. I get the sense that right now it’ll be hard for anything HuXa related to receive further funding until it proves it can generate revenue to offset the cost. So, the Baker System and haulers caught in long customs lines are struggling to deal with HuXa. Who’s benefiting from it? Sasha Bart: Here’s an interesting one — the Bevic Group. The food and drink conglomerate? Sasha Bart: That’s right. This is one of those things I never would’ve expected, but makes complete sense. With the influx of Human haulers into Xi’an space, there’s also an increased demand for food that’s … well, not completely foreign to the Human palate. I spoke with a representative for Bevic Group the other day, who seemed just as surprised as me by this turn of events. Their business relationship with the Xi’an-owned Jysho Corporation has certainly paid off, as they are now providing food and drink vending machines to CTR stations all across the Xi’an Empire. The Jysho Corporation apparently wants a diverse range of Human food at all their CTR Stations to attract business from Human haulers on the other side of the border. It makes a lot of sense for CTR to provide similar services and amenities no matter which Empire they’re in. Sasha Bart: Absolutely. Now, let’s pivot to your latest column for the New United, which was titled “Commodities Chaos.” Anyone who’s been watching the commodities markets knows that their prices have been on a bit of a roller coaster ride. You did some digging around on this. What’s happening? Sasha Bart: Two words — rampant speculation. HuXa required the establishment of a special TDD commodities commission that would be staffed by both Human and Xi’an economists. Its purpose is to ensure, among many other things, that commodities dumping doesn’t occur. The last thing the UEE wants is for, say, cheap Xi’an metals to completely undercut and cripple the industry here, or vice-versa. According to your article, the uncertainty of when this will all happen and how it’ll subsequently affect commodity prices are what’s fueling all this recent speculation. Sasha Bart: Precisely. No one knows exactly what’s going to happen, but everyone is hoping to exploit these arbitrage opportunities. For example, I highlighted this in my article by profiling two investors with large stakes in praseodymium. One of the investors is absolutely convinced, after conducting extensive research, that the price of praseodymium will plummet once HuXa is fully implemented. Meanwhile, Yussef, the other investor, firmly believes the price will skyrocket. Both are convinced that they’re right, and have strong arguments to back their claims. It’s convictions like these that are driving the speculation across various commodities. We need to take a quick commercial break, but don’t go anywhere. Sasha Bart for the New United will be back with us to discuss how the mining industry is preparing itself for increased competition from Xi’an markets. That and more when Kaizen returns. View the full article