CitizenCon 2023

CitizenCon 2953 marked a groundbreaking return to in-person events for the Star Citizen community, celebrating the dawn of a new chapter with the unveiling of the Pyro system. InVision's innovative approach transformed two halls at the LA Convention Center into a universe that transported fans: a main general session room with a stage enveloped in LED Star Drape representing the civilized Stanton system, and an adjacent expo hall, where the untamed world of Pyro awaited discovery.

The main stage buzzed with two days of rich content, a captivating opening video, a cosplay contest, and interviews live-streamed from backstage and in the expo, earning an unprecedented on-stage thanks from Chris Roberts, CEO of Cloud Imperium Games. In contrast, the expo hall was a gateway to the lawless Pyro hellscape, where an immersive entry corridor cloaked in black, hazers filling the darkness full of smoke, and eerie red LED lights set the tone for the perilous journey ahead.

Within the decay of Rundown Station, community booths, dressed in weathered tarps and rusted metal, brought the gritty world of Pyro to life. Players could set up their booths amid the chaos to express their passion for the game and fellow citizens, creating a vibrant, collaborative landscape. Blacklight graffiti, tangles of rope lights with industrial-sized ventilation ducts, and the authentic sounds of Star Citizen completed the immersive experience. Attendees engaged with the new expansion of the game for the first time through demo stations, watched competions at the ATMO eSports stage, and visited the Merch booth, VIP and a General Lounge and photo moments with in-game crafts like the Dragonfly hovercraft that attendees can sit on.

The innovation didn't stop at design; the lighting and staging were paramount, enveloping fans in a theme park-esque rendition of Star Citizen that felt both authentic and otherworldly. This festival was a testament to how creativity in design and the seamless blend of technology can forge unforgettable experiences and renew the bonds of a global community.