Beginner's Guide
Your First Free Fly
A complete, no-jargon walkthrough for first-time Star Citizen players. Follow it in order — each step assumes you finished the previous one.
- 01
Make a free RSI account
Go to robertsspaceindustries.com and click Enlist Now. Use a real email — your account is permanent and your in-game progress is tied to it.TipPasteSTAR-GCQJ-N6NCinto the Referral Code field on the signup form. This is the only reliable way to lock in your 50,000 UEC bonus.Once you're signed up, DayOneCitizen.com will walk you through your first 30 days step by step.
The RSI signup form. The Referral Code field is on the form itself — paste the code here before you click Enlist. Already signed up? Join the DayOneCitizen Discord for starter help and ship advice.
- 02
Confirm the bonus posted
After verifying your email, log into your RSI dashboard. The 50,000 UEC will appear as a credit on your account. If it didn't, you have ~24 hours to add the code in account settings — but don't rely on it. - 03
Download the RSI Launcher
From your account dashboard, download the launcher. It installs the Star Citizen client (~100 GB). Start the download immediately — you'll spend the wait reading the rest of this guide.TipPre-launch on event day: log in once an hour or two before the event opens. Patches drop on day one and the launcher always queues.The RSI Launcher once the download finishes — when the button says Launch Game, you’re ready to fly. - 04
Pick a ship from the Free Fly roster
During the event, several ships are temporarily unlocked for everyone. Featured ships rotate event to event — DefenseCon (formerly Invictus Launch Week) spotlights military ships, IAE rotates 100+ ships through the event. Check the homepage for the current roster. - 05
Run the new-player tutorial
Spawn at your starting station, follow the tutorial markers, and learn flight, quantum travel, and ship combat fundamentals. About 30–45 minutes. Skip it and you'll be lost. - 06
Try a delivery mission
Open the contracts terminal at any station and pick a delivery mission. Pick up boxes on one moon, deliver to another. You'll learn quantum jumps, planetary landing, and basic UI flow — and you'll get paid.The mobiGlas mission manager (press F1) — browse contracts, accept a delivery, and the route markers do the rest. - 07
Visit a major planet
Microtech is snow and dense forests. ArcCorp is a planet-spanning city. Crusader is a gas giant with floating platforms. Hurston is industrial. Each is enormous; pick one and quantum-jump there.New Babbage, microTech Area18 Plaza, ArcCorp Orison, Crusader Lorville, Hurston - 08
Group up
Star Citizen is at its best with friends. Use Spectrum (in-game chat) or join a Star Citizen Discord. Multi-crew ships need crews — that's the magic of the game. - 09
Decide before the event ends
If you're hooked, grab a Game Package while you're still inside the event window — your progress, hangar items, and referral bonus carry over to a paid account seamlessly.
Need a Glossary?
Confused by terms like UEC, pledge, aUEC, AC?
We keep the plain-English glossary on the main hub. Free Fly is packed with acronyms — when you hit one you don't know, dayonecitizen.com has the answer.
Open the dayonecitizen.com Glossary →Ready? Take 90 seconds and create your account.
Even if the event hasn't started yet — your referral bonus locks in the moment you sign up.