This Week in Star Citizen: Alpha 4.6 PTU Opens to All, Crafting Tests Begin, and Community Events Heat Up

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Star Citizen kicks off the week with significant developments across both testing environments and community activities. The Public Test Universe for Alpha 4.6 has officially opened its gates to all testing waves, while the highly anticipated Crafting feature prepares for its initial rollout to select testers.

Alpha 4.6 PTU Now Available to All Players

The development team has announced that Alpha 4.6 is now accessible on the PTU for all players, giving the entire community an opportunity to explore the latest updates and contribute to the testing process. Players interested in diving into the new content can review the comprehensive patch notes available on Spectrum to understand what changes and features await them in this build.

Meanwhile, progress continues on the Crafting system, with Cloud Imperium Games steadily working toward bringing this feature to the Tech Preview servers. The first phase of limited testing is set to roll out imminently to the Evocati test group, representing an important milestone for this long-awaited gameplay mechanic.

Daymar Rally 2956 Returns This Weekend

Community-organized events are taking center stage this week, with the return of what organizers proudly call "the filthiest race in the 'verse." The Daymar Rally 2956 is scheduled for a live broadcast this Saturday, January 24, promising high-octane action as drivers and pilots push their vehicles to the limit across Daymar's punishing desert terrain.

This grueling competition tests both speed and endurance as participants navigate the moon's unforgiving sandy landscape. The event has become a beloved tradition within the Star Citizen community, showcasing player skill and vehicle performance in extreme conditions. Those interested in watching or participating can find complete event details on the official Daymar Rally website.

ATMO Esports Announces Australian Event

The racing excitement doesn't stop with Daymar Rally. ATMO esports has officially begun the countdown to Enter ATMOSPHERE 2956, scheduled for February 21 in Sydney, Australia. This marks a significant moment for the Australia and New Zealand Star Citizen community, as it represents Cloud Imperium's first return to Australia in a full decade.

The event promises a full day of high-speed racing action combined with an in-person celebration of the ANZ community. Tickets are currently available for those wanting to attend this landmark gathering.

Content Schedule for the Week

Star Citizen fans can look forward to several content releases throughout the week. Wednesday will see the return of the Star Citizen Monthly Report, which will catch players up on how the various development teams concluded their work in 2025 before transitioning into the new year's roadmap.

Thursday brings a double feature of community content. Inside Star Citizen returns with what's being described as a "soft glide" through the incoming features in Alpha 4.6, providing players with detailed insight into what they can expect when exploring the latest build. The episode aims to help citizens get their bearings before embarking on their next adventures among the stars.

Also launching Thursday is the return of In Case You Missed It, which will showcase a selection of content from 2025 for those who may have overlooked it during the initial release.

Friday will round out the week with the latest RSI Newsletter arriving in subscriber inboxes, delivering the weekly roundup of happenings across the Star Citizen universe.

Community Spotlight: Exceptional Player Creations

The Community MVP program continues to recognize outstanding contributions from Star Citizen players. This week's featured content showcases the incredible talent within the community, from stunning cinematics to helpful guides and creative fan art.

The highlighted MVP this week is a remarkable collection titled "My 42 Favorite Screenshots from 2025" by community photographer Hasgaha. This curated journey spans from Alpha 4.0 through 4.5, demonstrating the photographer's signature cinematic style and precise composition. The collection serves as a stunning visual retrospective of the year's development, capturing angles and moments that showcase both the game's beauty and Hasgaha's exceptional eye for detail.

Top Community Hub Images

Several outstanding images from the Community Hub received recognition this week, highlighting the diverse creative output from players:

Let's go diving! by CHONKRiDER captures the underwater exploration possibilities within Star Citizen's diverse environments.

The scrapper by Avelafont presents a compelling scene that highlights the industrial side of life in the verse.

Dusk On Area-18 by HK_HoShINo beautifully captures the atmospheric lighting of one of Star Citizen's most iconic locations during golden hour.

Food Trucks by kpjax showcases the detailed environmental storytelling present throughout the game's various locations.

Players are encouraged to continue submitting their own content to the Community Hub for the chance to be featured in future weekly highlights and potentially earn the coveted MVP badge on Spectrum.

Looking Ahead

With Alpha 4.6 now in full public testing, Crafting on the horizon for Evocati, and major community events scheduled for the coming weeks, Star Citizen players have plenty to look forward to. The combination of new gameplay features, competitive racing events, and the first Australian gathering in ten years signals an exciting period for the community.

As Senior Community Manager Freyja Vanadis reminds citizens: "Fly low, and fly fast!"