Manchester has had an unexpected visitor from another galaxy, as a life-sized spacecraft from the Star Citizen universe made an appearance at an exclusive gaming event.
The impressive Hornet spacecraft was brought to VERSA Studios Manchester by Cloud Imperium Games (CIG), the developer behind Star Citizen and its highly anticipated single-player adventure, Squadron 42.
The enormous prop formed part of a special Squadron 42 showcase, which welcomed gamers, streamers and guests from around the world for a closer look at the upcoming sci-fi epic.
And there was even a Hollywood connection, with Star Wars legend Mark Hamill attending the event.
The spacecraft wasn’t the only impressive sight. VERSA Studios teamed up with virtual production specialists Mars Volume to create an immersive environment inspired by the game, featuring what the organisers describe as the largest virtual production screen ever constructed in Manchester.
More than 40 people worked on the ambitious project, with VERSA coordinating everything from lighting and sound to production design, studio space and crew.
The studio also co-produced behind-the-scenes filming, including interviews with the game’s creators, with further details expected to be revealed.
For those unfamiliar with Squadron 42, the game is a cinematic, story-driven adventure set within the wider Star Citizen universe. Its star-studded cast includes Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, Henry Cavill and Gillian Anderson.
The Manchester event also builds on Cloud Imperium Games’ existing relationship with VERSA Studios, where the developer maintains a permanent motion-capture facility.
With Squadron 42 expected to launch in 2027, the showcase offered an impressive glimpse into the scale of the game’s universe.
And while the Hornet wasn’t actually flying over Manchester, seeing a spacecraft from the game brought to life at full size is still pretty spectacular.
