How to actually buy the game

Go to robertsspaceindustries.com and click Enlist Now in the top navigation, or Create Account on any game page.

You will fill in:

• Email address — use a real one. Your account is permanent, game purchase receipts go here, and future security communications use this address.
• Password — use a unique password. Consider enabling two-factor authentication after setup.
• Handle (username) — this is your visible identity on SpectrumSpectrumThe official RSI community forum at robertsspaceindustries.com/spectrum. Ground zero for bug reports, org recruiting, and the occasional flame war. and in community spaces. Choose something you are happy with; it is not the same as your in-game pilot name (that is set at first launch).
• Referral code field — enter STAR-GCQJ-N6NC here. This is the only reliable window.

Verify your email when the confirmation message arrives. Your account is not active until this step is complete.

When you create your account, use a referral code to get 50,000 UECUECUnited Earth Credits — the in-game currency used for buying ships, weapons, and gear in the live game. UEC carries between play sessions and patches. free. screferralreward.com has the code and step-by-step instructions.

Once logged in, go to robertsspaceindustries.com/store or hover over Buy Star Citizen in the top nav. You are looking for Game Packages — these are the starter options that include Star Citizen alpha access and a starter ship.

Do not buy a standalone ship from the pledge store on day one. Standalone ships do not include game access — they are add-ons for players who already own the base game. You need a game package first.

And do not go looking for it on Steam — the game is not sold there, or on any console. The full platform rundown is in Is Star Citizen on Steam?

The cheapest game packages start around $45 USD and include:

• Access to the Star Citizen alpha (the live Persistent UniversePUPersistent Universe — the live, always-online Star Citizen world where most players spend their time. Your characters, ships, and credits live here.)
• A starter ship with standard insurance
• 10,000 starting aUECaUECAlpha UEC — the test-server currency used during Star Citizen alpha. It usually wipes when CIG resets the player database between major patches.

The current $45 pack comes with the Aurora Mk IIAuroraThe smallest, cheapest starter ship from RSI. Cramped but capable of light cargo, basic combat, and short hauls. A common first ship for new backers.. Its long-running alternate, the Mustang AlphaMustangA starter ship from Consolidated Outland. Slightly nimbler than the Aurora, popular with new pilots who want to dogfight early., now appears mainly in older and occasional promotional packages. A full comparison of all the packages is in Section 05: Which starter package should you buy?

The short version: the Aurora Mk II is the more practical choice for a new player. It carries cargo, which opens delivery missions immediately. The Mustang Alpha is faster and more fun to fly, but carries almost nothing. The first-ship guide walks through that choice honestly.

Add the package to your cart and proceed to checkout. RSIRSIRoberts Space Industries — both the in-fiction ship manufacturer and CIG's publishing label. The website you pledge through is rsi.com. accepts major credit and debit cards, PayPal, and some regional payment methods. The checkout is standard — billing address, payment details, order confirmation.

After payment you will receive a confirmation email. Your account will be upgraded immediately — no need to wait for any physical item (there is none). Your ship is in your in-game hangarHangarYour personal in-game space at a station where your ships are stored. You can walk around, customize, and spawn ships to fly out from here. from the moment the purchase clears.

After purchase, log into your RSIRSIRoberts Space Industries — both the in-fiction ship manufacturer and CIG's publishing label. The website you pledge through is rsi.com. account and go to your Library. You will see Star Citizen listed. Click Download to get the RSI Launcher installer — a small executable file (around 20 MB).

Run the installer to install the RSI Launcher on your PC. The Launcher then downloads the actual game — this is where the 100 GB+ comes from. Start this process well before you want to play. On a typical home connection, the full download can take several hours.

Everything about the launcher — which version to use, how to verify files, and what PTUPTUPublic Test Universe — a test server where players try upcoming patches before they go live. Backers above a certain pledge tier or who get invited can access it. means — is covered in Section 07: Using the RSI Launcher.

If you entered a referral codeReferral CodeA unique code another backer shares with you. Using one when you create your account gives you 50,000 UEC free, and the referrer earns a small bonus reward. at sign-up, your 50,000 UECUECUnited Earth Credits — the in-game currency used for buying ships, weapons, and gear in the live game. UEC carries between play sessions and patches. bonus is credited to your account. This appears in your wallet in-game as a starting balance. It does not expire — and because it is account UEC rather than earned aUECaUECAlpha UEC — the test-server currency used during Star Citizen alpha. It usually wipes when CIG resets the player database between major patches., a wipeWipeWhen CIG resets player progress — credits, aUEC, owned items — usually with a major patch. Pledged ships and UEC stay; everything earned in-game resets. never touches it. Your pledged ships and items are never wiped either. The full survives-vs-resets breakdown is in when is the next wipe?

50,000 UECUECUnited Earth Credits — the in-game currency used for buying ships, weapons, and gear in the live game. UEC carries between play sessions and patches. on day one buys you starter armor sets, weapons, and consumables at shops around the Persistent UniversePUPersistent Universe — the live, always-online Star Citizen world where most players spend their time. Your characters, ships, and credits live here. — enough to gear up without grinding for your first few sessions.