Beginner

New Player Guide

Star Citizen is famously deep. This guide gets you past the first wall - from install to your first million aUEC - without wasting your time on dead-ends.

Before you install

Make sure you have at least 32GB RAM and ideally an NVMe SSD. The game is 100GB+ and loads badly from spinning rust. A mid-range modern GPU (RTX 3060 or better) will get you through at 1080p.

Step 1: Install and launch

1. Download the RSI Launcher from robertsspaceindustries.com.
2. Sign in with the account you created using your referral code.
3. Let the launcher download - this takes a while; grab a coffee.
4. Launch the game. Don't panic when it takes 2-5 minutes to load into the Persistent Universe the first time.

Step 2: Keybinds worth knowing

• F - interact with stuff (bedside displays, chairs, buttons)
• F1 - mobiGlas (your in-game phone/UI)
• F2 - star map
• Y - flight ready (powers up systems)
• N - engines on/off
• B - quantum drive (long-distance travel)
• Left Alt + K - self-destruct (you'll use this to reset a stuck ship)

Don't try to learn every keybind at once. Focus on movement, mobiGlas, and the quantum drive - the rest you'll pick up organically.

Step 3: Your first hour

When you spawn, you'll be in a habitation room at one of the major landing zones (Area 18, Lorville, New Babbage, or Orison). Use F to get out of bed, then head to the Kiosks or ASOP terminals:

• ASOP Terminal - spawn, retrieve, or store your ship
• Clothing Kiosk - if you want to look less like a space tourist
• Weapon Kiosk - buy a sidearm; 5,000 UEC covers a decent loadout

Step 4: Making your first aUEC

aUEC (alpha UEC) is in-game currency that resets with major patches. Fastest early earners:

1. Delivery missions - open mobiGlas → Contract Manager → Delivery. Easy 30-60k aUEC per run. Low risk.
2. Bounty Hunter beginner contracts - if you enjoy combat, the Very Low bounty tier is learnable and pays 20-40k.
3. Mining with a FPS multi-tool - go to a cave, mine gem deposits, sell at a trading outpost. Surprisingly profitable for a starter with no equipment.
4. Cargo trading - once you've got 100k aUEC, buy low at Port Tressler, sell high at Area 18. Scales fast.

Common new-player mistakes

• Don't spend real money on bigger ships early. Learn the game first. Rent in-game ships via ASOP before you commit.
• Don't engage every ship that hails you. Many are players looking to pirate you. Run or submit to save a trip.
• Don't forget to store your ship before bed-logging. If you leave it parked in a no-fly zone, security impounds it and you pay a fine.
• Don't ignore the Guide System. Experienced players mentor new players via the official Guide program - pair up for free help.

What to do in week two

Once you've got a feel for flight and made a few hundred thousand aUEC, start exploring: fly to Pyro, try a cargo run to Terra Gateway, join an org (player-run guild), or tackle mid-tier bounty contracts. The game opens up massively once you're not constantly re-learning the HUD.

Ready to jump in?

If you haven't signed up yet, use the referral code below for 5,000 UEC - that's enough for a full starter loadout on day one.