Public Test Universe

The Public Test Universe (PTU) is an environment which is nearly identical to the "LIVE" version of the game. It exists to allow public testing of new and unstable patches, bug fixes, and content additions that are not yet ready to be released. PTU testing happens after internal QA testing. It is introduced on December 19, 2014 with the release of Star Citizen Patch V1.0.0 (Arena Commander 1.0).

Invite waves
Once a PTU build is stabilized and features are completed, that build will be rolled out to a wider audience (aka a new wave). Each newer wave includes the participants of the older waves. The current PTU release format is as follows:

Evocati Test Flight group (wave 0):
 * Hand-selected players under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Very experienced volunteer testers chosen based on the long-term provision of constructive feedback, quantity and quality of bug reports, and overall activity.

Wave 1:
 * Top active players rated by hours in the previous two major patch cycles
 * Subscribers
 * Legatus Navium Concierge-level backers

Wave 2:
 * Next top active players rated by hours in the previous two major patch cycles
 * Praetorian Concierge-level backers

Wave 3:
 * Next top active players rated by hours in the previous two major patch cycles
 * Wing Commander, Space Marshal, and Grand Admiral Concierge-level backers

Wave 4:
 * Next top active players rated by hours in the previous two major patch cycles
 * High Admiral Concierge-level backers

Wave 5:
 * All backers with an active Game Package