Hello, space fans! Jack here from Space Games on YouTube. We’ve just wrapped up the incredible IAE 2953, and what an event it was for Star Citizen enthusiasts like us. Among the many stars of the show, the Gatac Suylen stood out as a true gem. Now, I’ve never been one to be particularly enamored with smaller alien ships, but the Suylen… oh, it’s something else. I hopped aboard that ship, and I’ve got to say, it’s different, it’s exciting, and I’m thrilled to have it in my fleet.

This unique experience with the Suylen ignited my curiosity about Gatac, the alien ship manufacturer behind this marvel. Surprisingly, their lineup is a bit on the thin side, with only one other ship in the pipeline—the Railen.

And that brings us to today’s adventure: ‘The Making Of: The Railen.’ I’ve been digging into the archives, exploring the history provided by Cloud Imperium Games, the brilliant minds behind Star Citizen, to unravel everything about this upcoming space sensation. From the concept sketches to the intricate design details, we’re about to embark on a cosmic journey into the heart of Gatac’s creation.

So, fasten your seatbelts, fellow spacefarers! From the stellar excitement of IAE 2953 to the promise of the Railen, we’re in for an intergalactic treat. Let’s dive into the cosmos and discover the magic behind ‘The Making Of: The Railen’ together

In November 2013, Star Citizen unveiled the Aopoa Khartu-al, initially known as the “Xi’an Scout,” marking the first player-flyable Xi’an spacecraft. Despite its compact size in the 30th-century spacecraft landscape, the Khartu-al bore the significant responsibility of establishing Xi’an design as both alien and user-friendly, akin to flying a Hornet or Cutlass. This groundbreaking ship set the tone for Xi’an aesthetics, introducing vertical designs, shape-shifting capabilities upon landing, and intricate exterior panels encircling a central hull.

Aopoa, the manufacturer behind the Khartu-al, expanded on this design philosophy with subsequent Xi’an creations, such as the Nox bike and the Santok.yāi fighter. Concurrently, Star Citizen’s Narrative Team delved into deepening the Xi’an concept, crafting a rich history, defining cultural elements, and even developing a functional Xi’an language. As the Xi’an universe evolved in complexity, the need emerged to move beyond a single manufacturer and shift focus from combat-centric ships. In late 2019, Chris Roberts envisioned a new Xi’an hauler, originating from a distinct manufacturer. This decision set in motion a year-long collaborative effort among Star Citizen’s designers, writers, and artists to bring “The Railen” to life, further enriching the expansive Star Citizen universe.

Design

The task of crafting the design for the new “small Xi’an cargo ship” fell to John Crewe’s Ship Team, specifically designers Jon Dadley and Geoff Coffin. The brief outlined a distinctly Xi’an vessel, positioned between the smaller Freelancer and the larger Caterpillar in terms of cargo capacity. Manufactured by Gatac, the ship was conceptualized to be vertical, in alignment with other Xi’an capital and cargo ships, following a loose template for cohesive design across Xi’an ship roles.

To enhance the ship’s Xi’an identity, the designers incorporated a vertical elevator system spanning its floors, including a top level for the bridge and tractor beam with turret access, a middle level for living quarters, and a bottom level housing the engine with turret access. Emphasizing prolonged use, amenities like beds and toilets were integrated. External cargo storage and a unique entry ramp made of floating platforms, showcasing Xi’an mastery of gravity, were added elements.

To manage external cargo, a tractor beam and an array of missiles were introduced, providing gameplay for the ship’s co-pilot. The animation references, based on the RSI Constellation and Khartu-al, were suggested for various ship actions. A 16-page document titled “Xi’an Habitation Set Dressing” provided insights into how Xi’an address ship components uniquely, influencing everything from sleeping quarters to food preparation.

The Xi’an’s distinctive habits, such as resting against tall surfaces for protection, squatting/kneeling during deep meditative states, and their preference for aged and fermented foods, informed the ship’s internal design. This document became a crucial resource for the Concept Art Team, guiding the creation of the Railen’s internals, including bridge seating, showers, and toilets. The ship was aptly named the Railen, signifying “smooth/peaceful cargo,” as the Concept Art Team in the UK took over the process, breathing life into the Railen and introducing a new ship company to the Star Citizen universe.

Concept

In addition to the design brief and cultural insights, a detailed description of Gatac Manufacture set the foundation for the Railen’s concept. Responsible for crafting ships with commercial or industrial applications, Gatac’s continued success stemmed from cutting-edge technology and key council members directly related to Emperor Kr.ē. As a ‘knowledge-driven’ corporation, Gatac collaborated with other civilizations for innovative engineering approaches.

Armed with substantial written material, Art Director Paul Jones enlisted Artist Aleks Akstinas for an initial interior pass based on design specifications. With a three-level layout in mind, Jones then assigned internal concept artist Michael Oberschneider, known for previous work on ships like the Crusader Hercules and Drake Corsair. The challenge was to establish Gatac’s style guide and design the Railen.

Having a wealth of Xi’an design references, the team focused on Gatac, the unknown factor in the equation. Working from the layout, design brief, and Narrative Team’s documentation, Jones and Oberschneider discussed key aspects for the new ship. Oberschneider’s initial concept leaned towards an industrial, non-human theme, featuring floating chairs in what was initially envisioned as a smaller bridge space.

Cultural details, such as Xi’an beds folding for meditation and their tradition of storing food in large amphorae, became crucial for making the Railen distinct. Jones referred to earlier Xi’an work to decide on the industrial, complex geometry that would define the Railen, emphasizing the importance of these unique cultural elements to elevate the final ship’s design.

Oberschneider initiated the Railen’s design with 2D sketches, exploring imaginative concepts without micromanagement. His initial four directions featured a katydid-looking hopper, a mantis-like ship, a star-shaped flyer, and a ship that went horizontal when landing. Jones found them unique but not vertical enough, prompting Oberschneider to create 3D meshes for three of them with enhanced alien shapes and abstract verticality.

Jones, seeking ships that made observers question their orientation, conducted a color pass and library material application. Strips of color aligned with previous Xi’an schemes were added, and Chris Roberts selected option three—a modified star-shaped design with unexpected verticality. With the exterior direction set, the focus shifted to interior development. Oberschneider produced 2D sketches based on the exterior shape, exploring internal architecture that formed a continuous substructure, akin to an infinity loop.

Navigating the plethora of good ideas, Jones emphasized functionality, readability, and avoiding excessive complexity. Gravity’s role as the great equalizer in alien ships was highlighted, acknowledging the necessity for traditional gravity in interiors. Selected favorites from 2D work guided Oberschneider’s block-out of the interior, accentuated by Jones to convey the recognizable superstructure. Circular seats and an angular lift elevator added visual strength to the Railen’s interior, completing the cohesive and functional design process.

Jones “You have to break it down: what does it need to do? What are its functions? How does it read? Is it too complex? It’s a constant struggle to do something new but also not
completely crazy.”

Oberschneider progressed with the Railen’s 3D exterior sketch work, initially adopting a heavy and almost brutalist shape language that later evolved into a spikier and more alien design. Subsequent refinement of the interior flow positioned the Railen for its first review, which yielded positive results regarding readability and functionality, with the project even ahead of schedule.

However, during landing animation development, alternative configurations were explored, but Jones favored the bulkier exterior look. Critical feedback centered on reworking the main thruster placement due to concerns about thrust. Swift adjustments were made, followed by a shift in wing design from the original pointy look to a more industrial style.

As the Concept Team delved into subsystems, attention turned to the VTOLs’ size, turret access points, and the configuration of ball turrets. Jones guided Oberschneider to focus on critical ship components, emphasizing thrusters and turrets. The pair explored ways to enhance the ship, considering player navigation within the unusual interior.

Jones applied phosphor-bronze material to define superstructures, ensuring the Railen maintained the distinct Xi’an aesthetic. Special details, including Xi’an food storage canisters and a shower with ribbed surfaces, were incorporated based on the lore document. The turret, bridge, and ship’s components underwent general refinement.

During the second pass, Oberschneider conducted the first material pass, while Jones experimented with hull colors, exploring various options in gloss, camos, metallics, gradients, and a snakeskin texture. Chris Roberts suggested using the existing Xi’an color wheel, leading to the finalization of the Railen’s aesthetic with a two-tone color scheme selected from three initial choices.

The concluding phase involved developing concept images for the public presentation. Jones, usually preferring to assign promotional work to the concept artist, took on the task himself due to Oberschneider’s involvement in a top-secret project. The resulting high-quality images showcased the Railen’s design, highlighting the seamless collaboration between Oberschneider’s initial work and Jones’s final touches.

Final Words

Space explorers and citizens of the ‘Verse, you’ve just witnessed the captivating journey of the Railen, the latest addition to the ever-expanding universe of Star Citizen. From its inception in the minds of the visionary designers to the intricate details inspired by Xi’an culture, the Railen has evolved into a mesmerizing blend of functionality and alien aesthetics.
As the concept artists, led by the brilliant Michael Oberschneider, shaped the Railen’s form, they navigated the uncharted territories of design, merging heavy and brutalist exterior elements with the elegance of Xi’an interiors. The result? A ship that not only defies gravity but also challenges our perceptions of what’s possible in spacefaring vessels.
The collaboration between Art Director Paul Jones and the Concept Team exemplifies the delicate balance between creativity and functionality. Thrusters were fine-tuned, turrets strategically placed, and every detail, from floating chairs to Xi’an-inspired showers, was meticulously crafted to immerse players in an alien experience.
Chris Roberts’ keen eye for design and functionality played a pivotal role in shaping the Railen’s final look, as the ship’s exterior color palette found its inspiration in the existing Xi’an color wheel. The Xi’an essence, with its phosphor-bronze superstructures and unique cultural details, brings the Railen to life in a way that sets it apart from anything we’ve seen before.
Now, with the Railen standing as a testament to the collaborative efforts and passion of the Star Citizen team, we eagerly anticipate its entry into the ‘Verse. As we embark on this thrilling journey through the cosmos, the Railen stands ready to be the smooth and peaceful cargo vessel, offering a glimpse into the alien wonders that await us in the ever-expanding universe of Star Citizen.
Stay tuned, fellow citizens, as we eagerly await the day we can take the Railen for a spin among the stars. Until then, may your adventures be as boundless as the cosmos itself. Fly safe, and we’ll see you in the ‘Verse!

Jack Long