There was an argument for 'proper' Newtonian physics model but apparently they tried that in one of the later Freelancer games and the combat was frikkin horrible - jousting in space with both of you rushing together at high speed then unable to brake in time so racing apart then turning to joust again.
Edit, added a few things.
Actually, you've underestimated the game!
Aside from gravity wells currently not being in at launch, it *will use* Newtonian physics, however, the systems are fly by wire to prevent the hard to maneuver jousting combat you mention and helps your pilot passing out from g forces. Advanced pilot's will be able to buy kits that turn off some or all of fly by wire so you can do weird drifting tactics. Robert is nvidia guy as well, so that means PhysX support (it's all ready in cryengine)
DO NOT pilot in this game if you can't beat games like Freespace 2 with ease(you'll probably go broke, hire someone). This game is not carebear land, most of the game is going to be edgy political/military/illegal stuff according to the developers, and MOST the money is made in full PVP areas, and even if you try to make money on Earth, once you get rich mafia and rival factories/corps will attempt to overthrow you even in PVE.
Most Star Citizen players are also 25+, custom built gaming rigs, and Oculus Rift/TrackIR users, full joysticks, etc, NO casual pandering, that means you aren't going to see PKers banned if they manage to evade in-game punishment, and most people I doubt will care since this is space sim people and not weird mmo casuals(who have odd demands usually).
A few things to know about Star Citizen I mainly learned from the livestream that confirm this game is basically risk vs. reward and PVP/co-op oriented
- You can overclock almost any tech and overload/supercharge it, including anti-matter reactors (massive destruction right there) this is why humans will be better then AI for important battles, computer won't be as aggressive.
- You can design vehicles that will be able to vaporize players in the weaker small ships, especially those with poor piloting skills. Example, corvette or bomber comes by and launches nuclear torpedo barrage at your small mining operation. That player will rage quit after losing hours or even days worth of work, or get smarter and hire a recon pilot.
- Full looting, humiliation and mass trolling (blowing up escape pods, knocking them around, capturing them, killing recovery ship etc) selling ships with contraband on board then turning them in (lol).
- Full boarding, probably even melee stealth kills, this includes on the stations etc.
- Perma character death after a certain number of defeats/accidents, possessions go to your new character, aka relative
- Political voting which could bankrupt entire guilds if factories are destroyed by ill-fated wars
- Rare technology, and uncharted jump points will be *bitterly fought over* in PVP only areas. Uncharted jump points are extremely hazardous (no autopilot til mapped) and require skill to navigate or you die.
- All ships are limited by in game production, not credits, similar to Guild Wars 2 world vs. world (siege) mode.
- Capital Ships will take dozens of people to fund and if lost will probably cause severe drama in average guild (lol)
- Kidnapping might be in the game, even if their isn't an official mechanism people *will* just threaten to blow up a player's assets if they don't "come work for them". The reason why you would kidnap someone is, you can get a skilled worker and not pay him!
- Cap ships will be mainly found in PVP areas, which means PVE players will be weaker/poorer (Roberts is making Squad 42 for that anyway)
- Explosive decompression if you mess up
- Ridiculous gun fights on large "moving maps" aka battleships *confirmed in game, and will be as big as carriers or slightly smaller*. Carrier fights will involve snipers armed with railguns or other overpowered weapons on massive flight decks/hangers. Infantry should be able to shoot incoming boarding ships as well.
- Repair droids are in game, expect internal security (turrets) and battle droids too, not to mention your team of PC and NPC corporate space marines.
- Feature content will of course be playble aliens, probably pets, and probably underground/surface areas and surface vehicles
- Game now has a command link mode, ties into your nav/comm network
- Secret patching, new ships added via new factory or reverse engineered from rare artifacts, puts your character in game lore for discovery
- Endless new ships from modders
- Stock ships are weak, takes time to upgrade to something useful for advanced missions
- Reputation, employment rating, and financial assets are the closest thing in game to experience points
- New unique sense of time via map expansion, politics, and new equipment. Diasters and major wars will make some systems temporary more dangerous, blockaded, or uninhabitable.
- PC players need allies, even if you're a pirate, game is near impossible solo outside of core (newbie) areas, solo players will need to hire npc support crews/escort.
It's going to be glorious!
