Star Citizen goes free-to-play this week.

The Foundation Festival of Star Citizen is now live, and anyone interested in the game can try it for free from 12th to 19th July.

According to the developer Cloud Imperium, the festival, described as “a civic program in-lore designed to strengthen the spirit of the community”, is introducing an expanded “new player experience” available to new and returning players, as well as a Guide System to connect veteran pilots with newcomers to assist them on their journey through space.

During the Foundation Festival, participants in Guided Sessions can earn bonus rewards each weekend, with up to two sets of armour and weapons available if they participate in at least two weekend sessions.

“With the excitement building in the ‘verse ahead of the long-awaited release later this year of the Pyro system, an outlaw system teeming with wealth and danger, the Foundation Festival organisers are taking the opportunity to ensure that all citizens are ready for anything that comes their way,” CI teases.

If you like what you see and want to get involved, three starter bundles are available at a discount to make it easier than ever to get started. All three packs include a game download, bonus ship paint, extra in-game aUEC, and ship insurance.

For more details or to sign up, visit the official website.

Last week, Star Citizen developer Cloud Imperium Games was ordered to pay more than £27,000 to a disabled former employee who brought a discrimination claim against the company.

We recently reported that Star Citizen developer Cloud Imperium Games had laid off staff amid unrest due to relocation and accusations of a “highly toxic company”. However, this has not stopped it from raising an astonishing $700m in crowdfunding.