How to Download and Install Star Citizen

You need to install Star Citizen with the official standalone launcher from Roberts Space Industries (RSI). The RSI Launcher is also used to keep your install up-to-date.

In this page, we'll go through the steps you need to take to:

• Download and install the RSI Launcher 
• Use the RSI Launcher to download Star Citizen onto your computer
• Use the RSI Launcher to start playing Star Citizen

Before you can install Star Citizen, you will need:

1. a Star Citizen account
2. a Star Citizen game package

If you don't have an account yet, then check out our instructions for how to enlist with a referral code to get 5000 bonus in-game credits.

If you don't have a game package yet, then check out our recommendations for the best starter package and how to pledge for a starter pack (or learn how to join a free fly event and play for free during those limited time events!)

• You need to leave this website and go to the official Roberts Space Industries website to download Star Citizen. Click the link below (or copy and paste it into a new browser window) to go to the official Roberts Space Industries website: https://robertsspaceindustries.com/download
• You should see a "DOWNLOAD" button when you scroll down on the official RSI launcher download website.
• Click the "DOWNLOAD" button on the official RSI launcher download website to start downloading the RSI Launcher installer.
• Once the installer downloads, run it on your computer and follow the prompts to install the RSI Launcher.
  • We recommend using the default settings unless you have a specific setup for your game installs.

• After the launcher installation is completed, run the RSI Launcher.
• When the RSI Launcher opens, you will need to sign in to the RSI Launcher with your Star Citizen account.
• Once you have successfully signed in with the RSI Launcher, a Game Environment drop down box and "INSTALL GAME" button will be shown in the RSI Launcher if you have purchased a game package or if a free fly is available. 
• Select the Game Environment of Star Citizen that you want to install from the Game Environment drop down box.
  • Select the "LIVE" environment unless you're testing in the PTU, EPTU, or TECH-PREVIEW test channels.
• Click the "INSTALL GAME" button in the RSI Launcher to start installing Star Citizen.
• A couple of notes about the installation process:
  • The download size is over 70GB. Depending on your internet speeds, it may take hours to download Star Citizen.
  • You will need to allow Easy Anti-Cheat to be installed. Windows will pop up and verify that you want it to be installed while Star Citizen is being installed. Easy Anti-Cheat is required for Star Citizen.

• When Star Citizen finishes installing, the RSI Launcher will show a "LAUNCH GAME" button.
• Click the "LAUNCH GAME" button in the RSI Launcher to launch Star Citizen and start playing.

Congratulations, you have installed Star Citizen! 

• When you launch Star Citizen, the game will load into the main menu.
• You can optionally click the "OPTIONS" button to adjust graphics, audio, and keybinding settings.
• Click the "PERSISTENT UNIVERSE" box to proceed to the character setup stage and start the process of getting into the main game of Star Citizen.

• The Character Customization tool allows you to select and modify your player character. 
• Once you are finished customizing your character, select the Save & Review button to confirm your character settings and proceed to the next step.

• With your character set, the game will prompt if you want to start with a tutorial.
• There can be bugs with the tutorial, but overall, it's a good introduction to the game controls and guides you through your first flight from the planet to a station.
• If you want to experience the tutorial, click "PLAY THE TUTORIAL", and otherwise, click "SKIP".

• The next screen will ask where you want to set your Primary Residence or "home" location.
• This is the location that you will start at, and all of the gear in your account web hangar will also be available in-game at your Primary Residence. 
• You can only change your Primary Residence with major patch releases.
• For new players, we recommend selecting "STANTON SYSTEM" in the left dropdown as Stanton is the easiest system to start in.
• It's entirely personal preference for which location in Stanton to use. Select which one looks the most interesting to you.

• Two new fields will appear below a description of the Primary Residence location you selected.
• The server region will be "BEST" by default. 
• You can optionally select from "USA", "EU", "AUS", or "ASIA" based on your personal preference or if you're trying to find a quieter or busier server based on the time of day.  
• Finally, click "PLAY GAME" to start loading into the Persistent Universe.
• Once the loading completes, your character will be at the Primary Residence location you selected earlier. 

Welcome to the 'verse!