Star Citizen#Squadron 42

Star Citizen combines features from space simulator, first person shooter, and massively multiplayer online genres across its four playable modes. These modes, called modules, provide different player experiences from one another. Three of the modules, Hangar, Arena Commander, and Star Marine, provide examples of gameplay features that appears in the Persistent Universe module, but also have their own mechanics.

In the Hangar Module, players can explore or modify their purchased ships that have been publicly released and interact with the ship's systems, though no flying options are available. Also included are decorations and flair that can be placed and arranged within the hangar.{{Cite news|last=Keyes|first=Rob|url=https://gamerant.com/star-citizen-hangar-module-video-preview/|title=Check Out Our 'Star Citizen' Ship In The Hangar Module!|date=September 2, 2013|work=Game Rant|access-date=August 26, 2017|language=en-US}} As of Star Citizen Alpha patch 3.13.1a (which was released May 19, 2021), the Hangar Module is currently disabled due to ongoing issues.{{Cite web |date=January 22, 2023 |title=HANGAR MODULE FAQS |url=https://support.robertsspaceindustries.com/hc/en-us/articles/115013325128-Hangar-Module-FAQs |access-date=January 22, 2023|language=en-US|website=Roberts Space Industries}}

Arena Commander is an in-fiction space combat simulator allowing players to fly ships in various game types against other players or AI opponents.{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/4/13/5609590/star-citizens-arena-commander|title=Star Citizen's Arena Commander is the first tantalizing taste of a great space sim|last=Crecente|first=Brian|date=April 13, 2014|publisher=Polygon|access-date=October 7, 2014}} In the Free Flight game type, players can pilot their ship without threat of combat encounters, while in Vanduul Swarm up to 4 players fight waves of computer controlled enemies.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/star-citizens-arena-commander-module-launching-may-29th/|title=Star Citizen's Arena Commander module launching May 29th|last=Sykes|first=Tom|date=2014-05-18|magazine=PC Gamer|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-15}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/star-citizens-arena-commander-module-gets-its-biggest-update-yet/|title=Star Citizen's Arena Commander module gets its biggest update yet|last=Chalk|first=Andy|date=2014-09-12|magazine=PC Gamer|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-15}} Capture the Core is a game type inspired by classic capture the flag rules, where a team must capture the opposing team's core and deposit it on their side.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/arena-commander-is-now-open-to-all-backers-adds-capture-the-core-gameplay-mode/|title=Arena Commander is now open to all backers, adds Capture the Core gameplay mode|last=Chalk|first=Andy|date=2014-08-11|magazine=PC Gamer|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-15}} A racing game type, set on a specifically designed map with three courses, allows players to fly through checkpoints and attempt to beat each other's time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcinvasion.com/star-citizen-arena-commander-v0-9-race-mode-impressions/|title=Star Citizen Arena Commander v0.9 race mode impressions|last=Younger|first=Paul|date=2014-09-13|website=PC Invasion|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-15}} Game types like Battle Royale and Team place players in direct opposition of one another, gaining points for destroying enemy ships.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/star-citizens-arena-commander-module-now-available-for-backers/|title=Star Citizen's Arena Commander module now available for backers|last=Savage|first=Phil|date=2014-06-04|magazine=PC Gamer|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-15}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/06/04/star-citizens-arena-commander-is-live/|title=Star Citizen's Arena Commander is live|last=Reahard|first=Jeff|date=June 4, 2014|website=Engadget|language=en|access-date=2020-03-15}} A final game type, called Pirate Swarm, is a horde based game type similar to Vanduul Swarm but with different enemy types.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/star-citizens-shooter-segment-star-marine-now-play/1100-6446371/|title=Star Citizen's Shooter Segment, Star Marine, Now Playable|last=Dayus|first=Oscar|date=December 19, 2016|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-15}}

G-force effects on the pilot were introduced in Arena Commander, which could cause the player character to black out if they moved in a way that applied substantial g-forces on the ship. Equipment to customize ships used in Arena Commander can be rented to further allow for modification of player ship combat ability.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2015/3/26/8293725/star-citizen-kill-video|title=My first kill as a Star Citizen|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=2015-03-26|website=Polygon|language=en|access-date=2020-03-15}} While a multi-crew component of Arena Commander was announced at a 2015 Star Citizen conference, it has yet to be implemented in the game.{{Cite web|url=https://wccftech.com/spectacular-multi-crew-mission-from-arena-commander-2-0-demoed-star-citizen/|title=Spectacular Multi-Crew Mission From Arena Commander 2.0 Demoed in Star Citizen|last=Williams|first=Jeff|date=2015-08-07|website=Wccftech|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-15}}

Star Marine is an in-fiction ground combat simulator, allowing players to fight each other with conventional weaponry.{{Cite web|url=https://gameranx.com/features/id/66151/article/what-happened-to-star-marine/|title=What Happened with Star Marine?|last=Monroe|first=Nick|date=2016-07-23|website=Gameranx|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-15}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/98255/star-citizen-gets-star-marine-in-upcoming-26-patch|title=Star Citizen Gets Star Marine in Upcoming 2.6 Patch|last=Faulkner|first=Jason|date=December 20, 2016|website=Shacknews|language=en|access-date=2020-03-15}} Two maps were made available on release, along with two game types: Elimination and Last Stand.

Last Stand is a "capture-and-hold" game type in which two opposing teams (the Marines and the Outlaws) each attempt to capture one or more control points to gain points; as a team captures more control points, they gain points at a steadily increasing rate. Elimination is a free-for-all game type; unlike the team-based "Last Stand", players work individually to gain the highest kill-count before the match ends. Both game variants last for ten minutes or (in the case of Last Stand) until one team accrues the higher score.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-12-19-an-early-version-of-star-marine-star-citizens-fps-is-out-now|title=An early version of Star Marine, Star Citizen's FPS, is out now|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=2016-12-19|website=Eurogamer|language=en|access-date=2020-03-15}}{{Cite web|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link//15653-Star-Citizen-Alpha-260#NFGS|title=Star Citizen Alpha 2.6.0 - Roberts Space Industries|website=Roberts Space Industries|access-date=January 19, 2017}}

The Persistent Universe, initially referred to as Crusader, combines the gameplay aspects of the Hangar, Arena Commander, and Star Marine modules into a single multiplayer platform.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/star-citizen-alpha-20-released-marks-major-milesto/1100-6433058/|title=Star Citizen Alpha 2.0 Released, Marks "Major Milestone" in Game's Development|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|date=December 12, 2015|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|access-date=August 26, 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/12/17/star-citizen-2-0-review/|title=Star Citizen 2.0's Big Problems & Bigger Improvements|last=Meer|first=Alec|date=2015-12-17|website=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-15}} Players can freely navigate around and on the surface of four planets, nine moons, a planetoid, and a gas giant.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/12/21/star-citizen-receives-tons-of-new-content-with-the-3-8-update/|title="Star Citizen" Receives Tons Of New Content With The 3.8 Update|last=Sheehan|first=Gavin|date=2019-12-22|website=Bleeding Cool News And Rumors|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-15}}

Players can create male or female avatars for the Persistent Universe.{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/03/28/star-citizens-alpha-3-5-brings-a-city-planet-female-characters-and-new-flight-system/|title=Star Citizen's alpha 3.5 brings a city planet, female characters, and new flight system|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|date=2019-03-28|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-15}} Upon entering the mode, players spawn at a space station or one of the available planets in the game. Once spawned, players are given the freedom to choose what they pursue, whether it is trading, bounty hunting, mining, or taking on missions. A law system keeps track of player activities and penalizes players for engaging in criminal behavior with a rating that blocks access to certain areas and can lead to bounties or violent reactions from law enforcement. In order to reduce their criminal rating, players must hack the law enforcement network or pay off fines they may have incurred.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/huge-star-citizen-alpha-36-update-is-out-now-heres/1100-6468536/|title=Huge Star Citizen Alpha 3.6 Update Is Out Now, Here's What It Adds|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|date=July 21, 2019|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-15}}

Movement is available in both gravity and zero-gravity environments. Different planets have different gravitational pulls which alter player jump heights. In zero-gravity, players can move with six degrees of freedom, with forward movement possible through thrusters on their backs. If a player enters a ship, they can freely traverse it with artificial gravity affecting them.

While the final game will use an in-game currency called UEC, the current early-access version uses a temporary currency called aUEC, which will be reset from time to time and at the release of the game.{{Cite web|title=Star Citizen: aUEC erklärt {{!}} TippCenter|url=https://tipps.computerbild.de/unterhaltung/gaming/star-citizen-auec-869671.html|website=tipps.computerbild.de|access-date=2020-05-19}}{{Cite web|title=Currencies of Star Citizen (UEC/aUEC/REC/Store Credit)|url=http://support.robertsspaceindustries.com/hc/en-us/articles/360006492734|website=Cloud Imperium Games Knowledge Base|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-19}}

Any purchased or rented ship or vehicle can be spawned by the player at a landing zone.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/how-star-citizens-ship-insurance-works-and-how-players-will-exploit-it/|title=How Star Citizen's ship insurance works, and how players will exploit it|last=Livingston|first=Christopher|date=2017-07-28|magazine=PC Gamer|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-15}} Ships can be purchased with real-world funds or at in-game kiosks with earned credits. Rental ships can be procured at separate kiosks for intervals ranging from a few days to a month.{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/10/11/star-citizen-alpha-3-7-release-features-deep-caves-for-spelunkers/|title=Star Citizen Alpha 3.7 adds caves for spelunking|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|date=2019-10-11|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-15}} If a ship is destroyed, players must file an insurance claim and wait a period of time for it to be delivered. Players can pilot ships both in space and in atmospheres; transitions between the two occur without loading screens in real time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/12/27/16822456/star-citizen-3-0-update-live-release-date-patch-notes|title=Star Citizen's 3.0 update is finally here|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=2017-12-27|website=Polygon|language=en|access-date=2020-03-15}}

Planets in the game are procedurally generated with distinct biomes and areas of interest.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2020-star-citizen-tech-focus-alpha-3-point-8|title=Star Citizen tech in-depth: seamless scaling from gas giants to detail-rich alien worlds|last=Battaglia|first=Alex|date=2020-02-09|website=Eurogamer|language=en|access-date=2020-03-15}} On each planet is a landing zone, often within a city, where players can disembark and explore on foot. Some cities include transit systems that connect various sections together. Stores that carry various weapons and items can be found in these zones, allowing players to purchase equipment and trade goods for their character and ships.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eteknix.com/all-backers-can-now-access-star-citizen-alpha-3-3-5/|title=All Backers Can Now Access Star Citizen Alpha 3.3.5|last=Cernescu|first=Andrei|date=2018-11-21|website=eTeknix|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-03-15}} On most planets, cave systems are available for players to explore, in which they can take on investigation missions or mine for rare ores.

Squadron 42 is a story-based single-player game set in the Star Citizen fictional universe described by the developers as a "spiritual successor to Wing Commander".{{cite web|url=http://www.techspot.com/news/54801-star-citizen-crowdfunding-surpasses-30-million-squadron-42-to-receive-upgrade.html|title=Star Citizen crowdfunding surpasses $30 million, Squadron 42 to receive upgrade|last=Boswell|first=Russ|date=November 25, 2013|editor1-last=Franco|editor1-first=Julio|editor2-last=Vilches|editor2-first=Jose|website=TechSpot|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131128040710/http://www.techspot.com/news/54801-star-citizen-crowdfunding-surpasses-30-million-squadron-42-to-receive-upgrade.html|archive-date=November 28, 2013|access-date=November 9, 2014|editor3-last=Knight|editor3-first=Shawn|display-editors=1}}{{cite news|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/11/08/chris-roberts-details-squadron-42-takes-on-doubters/|title=Chris Roberts Details Squadron 42, Takes On Doubters|last=Grayson|first=Nathan|date=November 11, 2013|website=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109011105/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/11/08/chris-roberts-details-squadron-42-takes-on-doubters/|archive-date=November 9, 2013|access-date=November 9, 2014}} It is being developed by the Foundry 42 studio under the supervision of Chris Roberts' brother Erin, who had already worked with him on the Wing Commander series and led the production and development of games like Privateer 2: The Darkening and Starlancer.{{cite interview|last=Roberts|first=Erin|interviewer=Craig Chapple (Develop)|title=Meet Foundry 42's Star Citizens|url=http://www.develop-online.net/interview/meet-foundry-42-s-star-citizens/0194206|access-date=November 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705031309/http://www.develop-online.net/interview/meet-foundry-42-s-star-citizens/0194206|archive-date=July 5, 2014|date=June 17, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.game-debate.com/news/?news=14668|title=Interview: Star Citizen Studio Director Erin Roberts On Its Crowdfunding Success|last=Sutton|first=Jon|date=October 11, 2014|editor1-last=Thomas|editor1-first=Stuart|editor2-last=Soutter|editor2-first=Neil|website=Game-Debate|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109171447/http://www.game-debate.com/news/?news=14668|archive-date=November 9, 2014|access-date=November 9, 2014|display-editors=1}}{{cite magazine|last1=Clapham|first1=Matthew|date=2014|editor1-last=Mott|editor1-first=Tony|editor2-last=Brown|editor2-first=Nathan|editor3-last=Wynne|editor3-first=Mark|editor4-last=Hind|editor4-first=Andrew|title=Space Craft|location=Bath|publisher=Future Publishing|issue=274|pages=58–65|issn=1350-1593|oclc=77560936|display-editors=1|magazine=Edge}} It was originally announced for release in 2014 during the Kickstarter campaign, but was delayed multiple times.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2015/8/31/9211969/what-the-hell-is-going-on-with-star-citizen|title=What the hell is going on with Star Citizen?|last=Campbell|first=Colin|date=2015-08-31|website=Polygon|language=en|access-date=2020-03-15}}{{Cite magazine|last=Horti|first=Samuel|date=2020-01-30|title=Squadron 42: Everything we know about Star Citizen's singleplayer campaign|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/star-citizen-squadron-42-release-date-trailer/|access-date=2020-07-31|magazine=PC Gamer|language=en-US}} In mid-2019 CIG stated that a beta release was planned before the end of Q2 2020, then an estimated Q3 2020 on a now abandoned roadmap.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-08-31-star-citizens-squadron-42-beta-delayed-three-months-to-q3-2020|title=Star Citizen's Squadron 42 beta delayed three months to Q3 2020|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=2019-08-31|website=Eurogamer|language=en|access-date=2020-03-15}}{{Cite web|title=Star Citizen Roadmap - RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/roadmap/board/2-squadron-42|access-date=2020-07-22|website=RSI Roadmap|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=As Star Citizen turns eight years old, the single-player campaign still sounds a long way off|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-10-10-as-star-citizen-turns-eight-years-old-the-single-player-campaign-still-sounds-a-long-way-off#:~:text=Squadron%2042%20was%20originally%20announced,on%20a%20now%20abandoned%20roadmap.

|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=2020-10-10|website=eurogamer.net|language=en|access-date=2020-11-20}} In December 2020 Chris Roberts announced there will be no official release date or gameplay footage at this time. "I have decided that it is best to not show Squadron 42 gameplay publicly, nor discuss any release date until we are closer to the home stretch and have high confidence in the remaining time needed to finish the game to the quality we want".{{Cite web|title=Star Citizen's single-player campaign misses beta window, doesn't have a release date|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/12/28/22203055/star-citizen-squadron-42-release-date-beta-delayed-alpha-testing-funding|access-date=2020-12-28|website=Polygon|date=December 28, 2020|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Star Citizen Squadron 42 Beta Delayed, No Release Date in Sight|url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/star-citizens-squadron-42-beta-delayed-release-date-cloud-imperium-robert-space-industries/|access-date=2020-12-29|website=Escapist|date=December 29, 2020|language=en}} At CitizenCon 2024, first gameplay parts of Squadron 42 were shown and a release in 2026 was suggested.{{Cite web|title=Citizen Con 2024 day one livestream|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3eHBhHsrm4|access-date=2024-10-19|website=YouTube|date=October 19, 2024|language=en}}

The developers state that the interactive storyline centers on an elite military unit and involves the player character enlisting in the United Empire of Earth Navy, taking part in a campaign that starts with a large space battle. The player's actions will allow them to optionally achieve citizenship in the UEE and affect their status in the Star Citizen persistent universe, but neither of the two games has to be played in order to access the other.{{cite interview|last=Roberts|first=Chris|interviewer=Dean Takahashi (VentureBeat)|title=Wing Commander creator Chris Roberts returns to gaming with Star Citizen online game universe|url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/10/10/wing-commander-creator-chris-roberts-returns-to-gaming-with-star-citizen-online-game-universe/|access-date=October 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012015523/http://venturebeat.com/2012/10/10/wing-commander-creator-chris-roberts-returns-to-gaming-with-star-citizen-online-game-universe/|archive-date=October 12, 2012|date=October 10, 2012|subject-link=Chris Roberts (game developer)|url-status=live}} In addition to space combat simulation and first-person shooter elements, reported features include a conversation system that affects relationships with non-player pilots. An optional co-operative mode was initially proposed in the Kickstarter, but later changed to be a separate mode added after release.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcinvasion.com/star-citizen-squadron-42-co-op-plans-slightly-changed/|title=Star Citizen Squadron 42 co-op plans slightly changed|last=Younger|first=Paul|date=2015-07-31|website=PC Invasion|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-15}} The game is planned to be released in multiple episodes, and according to the developers will be offering an estimated of 20 hours of gameplay for Squadron 42 Episode One with about 70 missions worth of gameplay. Squadron 42 Episodes Two and Three will launch later.{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/11/01/star-citizen-reveals-first-person-module|title=Star Citizen Reveals First-Person Module|last=Pitcher|first=Jenna|date=November 1, 2014|website=IGN|type=News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101192712/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/11/01/star-citizen-reveals-first-person-module|archive-date=November 1, 2014|access-date=November 9, 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/14641-10-For-The-Chairman-Episode-59|title=10 For the Chairman|last=Roberts|first=Chris|date=April 6, 2015|website=Roberts Space Industries}} The cast for Squadron 42 includes Gary Oldman, Mark Hamill, Gillian Anderson, Mark Strong, Liam Cunningham, Andy Serkis, John Rhys-Davies, Jack Huston, Eleanor Tomlinson, Harry Treadaway, Sophie Wu, Damson Idris, Eric Wareheim, Rhona Mitra, Henry Cavill, and Ben Mendelsohn amongst others.{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/star-citizen-features-gary-oldman-gillian-anderson-mark-hamill/|title=Star Citizen features Gary Oldman, Gillian Anderson, Mark Hamill|last=Sykes|first=Tom|date=October 10, 2015|publisher=PC Gamer|access-date=November 23, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/star_citizen/b/pc/archive/2015/11/19/star-citizen-offers-up-a-very-brief-introduction-to-mark-hamill-39-s-quot-old-man-quot-colton.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120064759/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/star_citizen/b/pc/archive/2015/11/19/star-citizen-offers-up-a-very-brief-introduction-to-mark-hamill-39-s-quot-old-man-quot-colton.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=November 20, 2015|title=Star Citizen Offers Up A Very Brief Introduction To Mark Hamill's "Old Man" Colton - Star Citizen - PC|last=Hilliard|first=Kyle|date=November 19, 2015|publisher=GameInformer|access-date=November 20, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/star-citizen-squadron-42-delayed-2017/|title=Single-player 'Star Citizen' campaign 'Squadron 42' misses planned 2016 release|last=Gurwin|first=Gabe|date=October 10, 2016|publisher=Digital Trends|access-date=January 29, 2020}}

file:Cloud Imperium Games logo.svg

Star Citizen is under development by Cloud Imperium Games, a studio founded by Chris Roberts, Sandi Roberts, and Ortwin Freyermuth in 2012.{{Cite web|url=https://cloudimperiumgames.com/core|title=Core|website=cloudimperiumgames.com|language=en|access-date=2020-03-10}} While working at Origin Systems from 1990 to 1996, Roberts became known for his groundbreaking Wing Commander franchise.{{cite magazine|date=November 1995|title=75 Power Players: Mr. Big Shot|magazine=Next Generation|publisher=Imagine Media|issue=11|page=53}} After the completion of Starlancer in 1999 by Roberts' studio Digital Anvil, lengthy delays in the production of extensive plans for the game Freelancer led to the company's acquisition by Microsoft and Roberts' exit from the project. Completed under a new lead and numerous staff replacements, the finished game was well received, but criticized for lacking the extensive features Roberts had planned.{{cite magazine|date=October 1997|title=The Great Escape|magazine=Next Generation|publisher=Imagine Media|issue=34|page=44}}{{cite web|url=http://au.ign.com/articles/2003/01/07/freely-lancing|title=Freely Lancing|last=Sulic|first=Ivan|date=May 20, 2012|website=IGN|access-date=August 23, 2015}} Roberts has since claimed that Star Citizen is a spiritual successor to both Wing Commander and Freelancer.{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/star-citizen-has-raised-over-250-million-squadron-42-set-for-2020-2018-12|title=Fans and investors have thrown over $250 million at this gorgeous, expansive video game. But it won't hit store shelves until at least 2020|last=Webb|first=Kevin|date=December 26, 2018|website=Business Insider|access-date=2020-03-10}}

Pre-production of Star Citizen began in 2010{{Cite web|title=CitizenCon 2014 Chris Roberts Speech|website = YouTube| date=October 14, 2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiVODuGFCMg&feature=youtu.be&t=5635}} with production starting in 2011 using CryEngine 3.{{cite news|last=Scaurus|first=Mark|url=https://www.themittani.com/features/exclusive-interview-star-citizens-chris-roberts|title=Exclusive Interview Star Citizen's Chris Roberts|date=October 19, 2012|work=The Mittani|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223011931/https://www.themittani.com/features/exclusive-interview-star-citizens-chris-roberts|archive-date=February 23, 2017}}{{Cite web|date=2013-08-10|title=Chris Roberts Making Re-entry into PC Gaming Stratosphere - Cloud Imperium Games|url=http://cloudimperiumgames.com/news/21-Chris-Roberts-Making-Re-Entry-Into-PC-Gaming-Stratosphere|access-date=2020-07-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810095922/http://cloudimperiumgames.com/news/21-Chris-Roberts-Making-Re-Entry-Into-PC-Gaming-Stratosphere|archive-date=August 10, 2013}} Several contractors and outsourced development companies such as CGBot, Rmory, VoidAlpha and Behaviour Interactive were hired to build an early prototype of the game and concept art. The goal of the prototype was to gain outside investment, but following the success for the Double Fine Adventure Kickstarter campaign, Roberts decided to crowdfund the game instead. After hiring Ortwin Freyermuth, Ben Lesnick, and David Swofford, Cloud Imperium Games was formed with the intention of building the initial campaign.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kotaku.co.uk/2016/09/23/inside-the-troubled-development-of-star-citizen|title=Inside the Troubled Development of Star Citizen|last=Benson|first=Julian|date=September 23, 2016|website=Kotaku UK|language=en|access-date=2020-03-15}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/200998/chris_roberts_on_star_citizen_.php|title=Chris Roberts on Star Citizen Crowdfunding Success, and Why He Doesn't Want a Publisher|last=Nutt|first=Christian|date=September 26, 2013|website=Gamasutra|language=en|type=Interview|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930135558/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/200998/chris_roberts_on_star_citizen_.php?page=3|archive-date=September 30, 2013|access-date=October 18, 2014}} Star Citizen was officially announced at GDC on October 10, 2012, during which the website they had built for the campaign crashed.{{Citation|title=Star Citizen - Announcement - GDC 2012 Panel| date=October 10, 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vhRQPhL1YU|language=en|access-date=2020-03-15}} Following the GDC presentation, the company announced a Kickstarter campaign on October 18, 2012.

The foundation of Star Engine can be traced back to CryEngine 3, the game engine developed by Crytek, which was initially chosen by CIG in 2011 for Star Citizen’s development. CryEngine was known for its cutting-edge graphics and advanced physics, making it an ideal choice for a game aiming to deliver high-fidelity visuals and realistic space simulation. At the time, CryEngine had powered visually groundbreaking titles such as Crysis and Ryse: Son of Rome, reinforcing its reputation as a top-tier rendering engine. However, as development progressed, it became clear that CryEngine was not designed to support the massive multiplayer experience and procedural universe generation that Star Citizen required. The engine was built primarily for single-player and small-scale multiplayer experiences, which posed significant technical challenges when adapting it to handle seamless space travel, dynamic environments, and an interconnected universe with thousands of concurrent players.{{Citation |title=Star Engine (CIG) |date=2025-03-21 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Engine_(CIG)#cite_note-auto1-7 |access-date=2025-03-21 |language=en}}

To overcome the limitations of CryEngine, Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) announced in 2016 that they had transitioned to Amazon Lumberyard, a new engine derived from CryEngine but further developed by Amazon to support cloud-based networking and large-scale multiplayer infrastructure. This decision was not merely a technical upgrade but a strategic move that aligned with the long-term vision of Star Citizen. At the time, Crytek was facing severe financial difficulties, raising concerns about the future stability and support of CryEngine. CIG needed an engine with a more secure and well-supported development pipeline, ensuring they would not be reliant on a struggling third-party company.{{Citation |title=Star Engine (CIG) |date=2025-03-21 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Engine_(CIG)#cite_note-auto1-7 |access-date=2025-03-21 |language=en}}

Amazon Lumberyard, being integrated with Amazon Web Services (AWS), offered a more scalable solution for Star Citizen’s ambitious multiplayer and persistent world design. The integration of AWS allowed CIG to take advantage of cloud-based computing, offloading significant processing tasks to distributed servers and ensuring smoother performance for an expansive universe where thousands of players could interact in real-time. This cloud infrastructure was crucial for implementing features like persistent player interactions, real-time economic systems, and large-scale battles without the constraints of traditional server architectures.{{Citation |title=Star Engine (CIG) |date=2025-03-21 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Engine_(CIG)#cite_note-8 |access-date=2025-03-21 |language=en}}

Furthermore, Lumberyard’s licensing terms granted CIG far more freedom to customize the engine than what had been possible with CryEngine. Crytek’s original licensing agreement-imposed restrictions that limited the degree of modification and expansion that CIG could implement. By switching to Lumberyard, CIG gained the ability to overhaul core engine components, develop proprietary technologies, and fully integrate their vision without external dependencies. This transition laid the groundwork for what would later become StarEngine, as CIG progressively reworked and enhanced Lumberyard to suit their needs, turning it into a highly specialized and optimized engine designed exclusively for Star Citizen and Squadron 42.{{Citation |title=Star Engine (CIG) |date=2025-03-21 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Engine_(CIG)#cite_note-8 |access-date=2025-03-21 |language=en}}

In its initial debut on Kickstarter, Star Citizen was marketed as "everything that made Wing Commander and Privateer / Freelancer special". The proposed game was claimed to include a single-player story driven mode called Squadron 42 that would include drop in/drop out co-op, a company-hosted persistent universe mode, a self-hosted, mod-friendly multiplayer mode, no subscriptions, and no pay-to-win mechanics. The initial estimated target release date was stated to be November 2014, with all proposed features available at launch. Additional promised features included virtual reality support, flight stick support, and a focus on high-end PC hardware.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cig/star-citizen|title=Star Citizen|website=Kickstarter|date=April 6, 2013 |language=en|access-date=2020-03-15}} While the initial release would be targeted for Windows, Roberts stated that Linux support was a goal for the project after its official release.{{cite web|last=Hutchinson|first=Lee|date=April 12, 2014|title=PC gaming: Not just still alive, but still dominant, says PAX East panel|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/04/pc-gaming-not-just-still-alive-but-still-dominant-says-pax-east-panel/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417025357/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/04/pc-gaming-not-just-still-alive-but-still-dominant-says-pax-east-panel/|archive-date=April 17, 2014|access-date=October 15, 2014|website=Ars Technica|publisher=Condé Nast|type=Report}}

As development continued, Chris Roberts announced in August 2013 that they would be releasing the "Hangar Module", a way for players to explore an enclosed space and some of the ships that have been completed. The module was released six days later, on August 29, and was considered the "first deliverable" of the project.{{Cite news|last=Davies|first=Kevin|url=http://www.tomshardware.com/news/star-citizen-hangar-module,24065.html|title=Chris Roberts' Star Citizen Hangar Module Goes Live|date=August 29, 2013|work=Tom's Hardware|access-date=August 26, 2017|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/13214-Letter-From-The-Chairman-The-Hangar-Module|title=Letter from the Chairman: The Hangar Module - Roberts Space Industries {{!}} Follow the development of Star Citizen and Squadron 42|last=Roberts|first=Chris|date=August 23, 2013|website=Roberts Space Industries|language=en|access-date=2020-03-15}} This would mark the beginning of Star Citizen's modular development process, where smaller pieces of the game would be released leading up to the release of the Persistent Universe.{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/08/star-citizen-and-the-triumphant-record-smashing-return-of-chris-roberts/|title=Star Citizen and the triumphant, record-smashing return of Chris Roberts|last=Hutchinson|first=Lee|date=2014-08-03|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us|access-date=2020-03-15}} During this early period, it was announced that the games would utilize the artificial intelligence system Kythera, developed by Moon Collider.{{cite web|url=http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/03/12/this-is-the-advanced-ai-tech-powering-star-citizen/|title=This is the advanced AI tech that's powering Star Citizen|last=Reahard|first=Jef|date=March 12, 2014|website=Massively|publisher=AOL|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510143528/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/03/12/this-is-the-advanced-ai-tech-powering-star-citizen/|archive-date=May 10, 2014|access-date=November 3, 2014}}

The game is produced in a distributed development process by Cloud Imperium Games and Foundry 42 with studios in Austin, Frankfurt, Santa Monica, Wilmslow, and Derby.{{cite magazine|url=https://techland.time.com/2012/10/11/chris-roberts-star-citizen-looks-like-a-space-sim-from-the-distant-future/|title=Chris Roberts' Star Citizen Looks Like a Space Sim from the Distant Future|last=Peckham|first=Matt|date=October 11, 2012|magazine=Time|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011181041/http://techland.time.com/2012/10/11/chris-roberts-star-citizen-looks-like-a-space-sim-from-the-distant-future/|archive-date=October 11, 2012|access-date=October 19, 2014}}{{cite press release|author=|date=January 15, 2015|title=PM celebrates US investment and jobs boost on Washington trip|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-celebrates-us-investment-and-jobs-boost-on-washington-trip|url-status=live|type=Press release|location=London|publisher=UK Trade & Investment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125113508/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-celebrates-us-investment-and-jobs-boost-on-washington-trip|archive-date=January 25, 2015|access-date=January 25, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/star-citizen-dev-opens-new-office/1100-6407401/|title=Star Citizen dev opens new office|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|date=April 23, 2013|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103140028/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/star-citizen-dev-opens-new-office/1100-6407401/|archive-date=November 3, 2014|access-date=November 3, 2014}} Additional partners that are or have been working on the project include Turbulent, Virtuos, and Wyrmbyte.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamersnexus.net/news/1856-star-citizen-pax-east-fps-module-release|title=Star Citizen Event Recap: Damage Models, Animations, Astro Arena, & Roadmap|last=Burke|first=Stephen|date=March 8, 2015|editor1-last=Burke|editor1-first=Stephen|editor2-last=Pinkerton|editor2-first=Nick|website=GamersNexus|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310140959/http://www.gamersnexus.net/news/1856-star-citizen-pax-east-fps-module-release|archive-date=March 10, 2015|access-date=March 10, 2015|display-editors=1}}{{cite web|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/14054-Monthly-Report-July-2014|title=Monthly Report: July 2014|author=|date=August 4, 2014|website=Roberts Space Industries|publisher=Cloud Imperium Games|access-date=November 3, 2014}}

Arena Commander, the "flight combat" module, was released on June 4, 2014. It allows players to test the ship combat and racing portion of the game against other players or AI opponents in various game types.{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/08/star-citizen-and-the-triumphant-record-smashing-return-of-chris-roberts/|title=Star Citizen and the triumphant, record-smashing return of Chris Roberts|last=Hutchinson|first=Lee|date=August 3, 2014|website=Ars Technica|publisher=Condé Nast|oclc=52157687|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807225307/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/08/star-citizen-and-the-triumphant-record-smashing-return-of-chris-roberts/|archive-date=August 7, 2014|access-date=October 19, 2014}} These game types were released to all players as single-player offerings, with a small number of players receiving access to the multiplayer version with plans to scale until the module was considered fully released.

On August 11, 2014, Arena Commander was updated to open access to all players and added the Capture the Core game type. The module continued to get updates through 2014, with the addition of a racing mode and other fixes in September. By December, Arena Commander had reached version 1.0 and was considered a "significant milestone" for the project.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-12-22-star-citizen-progress-continues-with-arena-commander-1-0-launch|title=Star Citizen progress continues with Arena Commander 1.0 launch|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=2014-12-22|website=Eurogamer|language=en|access-date=2020-03-15}}

Star Marine was considered the "FPS module" for Star Citizen. The module was announced at PAX Australia 2014 with a projected release date in 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/138339-Star-Citizen-FPS-Module-Revealed|title=Star Citizen's First Person Shooter Module Revealed at PAX Aus|last=Bogos|first=Steven|date=November 1, 2014|website=Escapist Magazine|type=News|access-date=November 1, 2014}} The development of Star Marine was contracted out to the Colorado-based third-party studio IllFonic. Initially, the module was set to include features like teams starting within a ship and needing to fly to a space station to begin their engagements and much more EVA-based gameplay including the disabling of gravity during matches. However, close to being finished, CIG found that the assets that were built for the module weren't at the same scale as those built for the rest of the game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kotaku.co.uk/2016/09/29/what-happened-to-star-marine-star-citizens-missing-module|title=What Happened to Star Marine, Star Citizen's Missing Module|website=Kotaku UK|language=en|access-date=2020-03-15}} By August 2015, the contract was terminated and development of Star Marine returned to an in-house team at Cloud Imperium Games.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-08-18-cloud-imperium-moving-more-star-citizen-dev-internal|title=Cloud Imperium bringing more Star Citizen development internal|last=Sinclair|first=Brendan|date=August 18, 2015|website=GamesIndustry.biz}}

The issues plaguing Star Marine's development caused significant delays, pushing the release beyond the originally expected 2015 release date. Just prior to the module being pulled from Illfonic, outlets began reporting that the module was "delayed indefinitely" or "cancelled".{{cite web|url=http://www.tentonhammer.com/columns/respawn/oh-well-star-marine-now-canceled|title=Oh Well, Star Marine is Now Canceled|last1=David|first1=Piner|website=tentonhammer.com|date=January 26, 2016|publisher=Master Games Intl.}}{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/30/8871167/star-citizens-fps-module-delayed-indefinitely|title=Star Citizen's FPS module delayed indefinitely|last1=Charlie|first1=Hall|website=Polygon.com|date=June 30, 2015|publisher=Vox Media}}

During development in 2015, a game type called SATA Ball was announced, an in-game sport where players would be split up into two teams and would fight each other in a zero-gravity environment. It has yet to be implemented in the game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/5/10/8581673/where-is-star-marine-star-citizen-s-fps-and-how-do-you-fight-without|title=Where is Star Marine, Star Citizen's FPS? And how do you fight without gravity?|last=Tach|first=Dave|date=2015-05-10|website=Polygon|language=en|access-date=2020-03-15}}

The module was released on December 23, 2016, a year after its original projected release date.

While the previous modules were primarily focused on a single aspect of gameplay, the release of Star Citizen's Alpha 2.0 version, initially known as Crusader, was a combination of gameplay elements found in earlier modules. Its initial release was on December 11, 2015, a year after the Star Citizen project was originally planned for completion. Later retitled as "Universe", the module became the primary focus of development on Star Citizen, with future updates focused on implementing content to this mode.

Star Citizen's Alpha 3.0, considered to be a major milestone, was announced for a December 2016 release at Gamescom 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-3YBuFI3iI&t=1452|title=Star Citizen: Full Gamescom 2016 Presentation|date=August 19, 2016|website=www.youtube.com|via=Youtube}} Two months later, in October 2016 at the annual CitizenCon event, Cloud Imperium Games claimed that Alpha 3.0 would be split into four smaller releases.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuDj5v81Nd0&t=4350|title=Star Citizen: Full CitizenCon 2016 Presentation|author=Star Citizen|website=www.youtube.com|date=October 10, 2016 |via=YouTube|access-date=November 1, 2017}} When December arrived, Cloud Imperium Games made a surprise announcement that they would be migrating Star Citizen to the Amazon Lumberyard engine.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/star-citizen-switches-game-engines-after-years-of-/1100-6446503/|title=Star Citizen Switches Game Engines After Years of Development|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|date=December 24, 2016|work=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=December 25, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/12/23/star-citizen-and-squadron-42-are-using-amazons-lumberyard-game-engine/|title=Star Citizen and Squadron 42 are using Amazon's Lumberyard game engine|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|date=December 23, 2016|website=VentureBeat}} Alpha 3.0 wouldn't release until December 2017, and following its release the developers implemented a public roadmap that would show features and content that was in development for the future.{{cite web|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link//16348-Star-Citizen-Alpha-300|title=Star Citizen 3.0|date=December 23, 2017|website=Roberts Space Industries}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-11-24-the-first-hour-of-star-citizen-alpha-3-0-4k|title=The first hour of Star Citizen alpha 3.0 from a player's POV|last=Purchese|first=Robert|date=2017-11-24|website=Eurogamer|language=en|access-date=2020-04-10}}

As development continued, Cloud Imperium Games began releasing more features in incremental versions that built on Alpha 3.0. Early updates focused on implementing initial gameplay mechanics specific to the Persistent Universe module and efforts to stabilize the "barely playable" Alpha 3.0 update.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/star-citizen-alpha-31-release-beacons-customization-patch-notes-868065|title='Star Citizen' Alpha 3.1 has arrived with beacons and customization|last=Groux|first=Christopher|date=2018-03-31|website=Newsweek|language=en|access-date=2020-04-10}}{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/06/28/star-citizen-adds-mining-with-its-ambitious-alpha-3-2-quarterly-patch/|title=Star Citizen adds mining with its ambitious Alpha 3.2 quarterly patch|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|date=2018-06-28|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-10}} Face-over-IP technology was implemented in Alpha 3.3, which was built in partnership with FaceWare Technologies.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/11/18085084/star-citizen-3-3-alpha-update-improvements|title=Star Citizen's 3.3 alpha rolls out to all players|last=Good|first=Owen S.|date=2018-11-11|website=Polygon|language=en|access-date=2020-04-10}}{{Cite news|last=Carbotte|first=Kevin|url=http://www.tomshardware.com/news/star-citizen-live-face-animation,35321.html|title=Cloud Imperium Games Adds Faceware Player-Driven Facial Animation To 'Star Citizen'|date=August 25, 2017|work=Tom's Hardware|access-date=August 26, 2017|language=en}} Feature additions continued through 2019 as Cloud Imperium Games adopted a quarterly schedule for providing updates to the module, though concerns over its lengthy development continued.{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/07/19/star-citizen-alpha-3-6-hover-ships-space-stations-and-the-law-warp-in/|title=Star Citizen Alpha 3.6: Hover ships, space stations, and the law warp in|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|date=2019-07-19|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-10}}

During the development of Star Citizen's Alpha 3.8 update, the developers discussed their implementation of a technology known as Object Container Streaming. Due to the scale of the game, challenges arose wherein the project would run into memory limitations on both the client and the server side of the Persistent Universe. While they had released a client-side version of Object Container Streaming in December 2018, a server-side version had been in development to alleviate those limitations even further. The developers noted that a server-side implementation would alleviate existing limitations with the project and said that, if completed, it would be "one of the biggest technological milestones this game has seen to date."{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/star-citizen-devs-explain-socs-space-alpha-3-8-1477149|title='Star Citizen's developers explain how SOCS helps create a limitless universe in Alpha 3.8|last=Groux|first=Christopher|date=2019-12-18|website=Newsweek|language=en|access-date=2020-04-10}} With the release of Alpha 3.18 update, the game experienced major outages.{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Fraser |title=The launch of Star Citizen's biggest update has been a shambles, and players are frustrated: 'This is embarrassingly bad' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-launch-of-star-citizens-biggest-update-has-been-a-shambles-and-players-are-frustrated-this-is-embarrassingly-bad/ |website=PC Gamer |publisher=Future plc |access-date=14 March 2023 |date=14 March 2023}}

During the 2012 crowdfunding campaign, Chris Roberts suggested that the game might be released in 2014. At the time, Roberts said that "Really, it's all about constant iteration from launch. The whole idea is to be constantly updating. It isn't like the old days where you had to have everything and the kitchen sink in at launch because you weren't going to come back to it for awhile. We're already one year in – another two years puts us at 3 total which is ideal. Any more and things would begin to get stale."

As development progressed, key features were continually pushed from their projected release dates. The Arena Commander module, originally scheduled for December 2013, was delayed six months to its initial June 2014 release.{{Cite web|title=The Cult of Star Citizen's Delays|url=https://www.tentonhammer.com/columns/the-cult-of-star-citizen-s-delays|last=Piner|first=David|date=September 1, 2014|website=www.tentonhammer.com|access-date=2020-03-16}} Star Marine, originally scheduled for a 2015 release, was delayed until December 2016. An update to the game's Persistent Universe module, Alpha 3.0, was delayed from December 2016 to December 2017. Star Citizen Alpha 3.0 was considered by the developer a release in early access. Since Star Citizen Alpha 3.0's release, no official dates have been set for the end of early access, though it continues to receive updates.{{Cite web|title=Star Citizen release date news and rumours: Squadron 42 trailer revealed|url=https://www.alphr.com/games/1005750/star-citizen-UK-release-date-rumours-and-news/|last=Bedford|first=Tom|date=April 12, 2017|website=Alphr|language=en|access-date=March 23, 2023}}{{Cite web|title=Star Citizen devs add another feature: 40-player 'Theaters of War' battles|url=https://www.polygon.com/pc/2019/11/24/20980517/star-citizen-release-dates-pc-theaters-of-war-squadron-42-anvil-carrack-citizencon-2019|last=Good|first=Owen S.|date=2019-11-24|website=Polygon|language=en|access-date=2020-04-15}}

Squadron 42, the now-standalone single player component of the game, was initially scheduled for the project's initial 2014 release, but suffered from delays as well. After it missed the 2014 release window, a release window in 2016 was suggested before the project was "delayed indefinitely".{{Cite web|title=Mark Hamill's Star Citizen Character Introduced in Squadron 42 Teaser|url=https://screenrant.com/mark-hamill-star-citizen-squadron-42/|last=Subillaga|first=Jon|date=2015-11-20|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-15}}{{Cite web|title=Star Citizen single-player delayed indefinitely - ExtremeTech|url=https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/237434-star-citizen-single-player-delayed-indefinitely|last=Hruska|first=Joel|date=October 11, 2016|website=ExtremeTech|access-date=2020-03-16}} In 2018, Cloud Imperium Games announced a plan to enter the beta stage of Squadron 42{{'}}s development before the end of the first quarter of 2020, but that date was later pushed back to the end of the second quarter of 2020.{{Cite magazine|title=Star Citizen's singleplayer beta release date has been pushed back|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/star-citizens-singleplayer-beta-release-date-has-been-pushed-back/|last=Tarason|first=Dominic|date=2019-08-31|magazine=PC Gamer|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-15}} The beta was later pushed back again, to the third quarter of 2020, which passed with no news until on 10 October Chris Roberts stated that "We still have a ways to go before we are in beta".{{Cite web|title=As Star Citizen turns eight years old, the single-player campaign still sounds a long way off|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-10-10-as-star-citizen-turns-eight-years-old-the-single-player-campaign-still-sounds-a-long-way-off|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=2020-10-10|website=Eurogamer|language=en-US|access-date=2020-10-13}}

As the project continued to delay key features and miss projected deadlines, the media began to suggest that the game may become vaporware and might never be released.{{Cite web|title=Star Citizen's $27,000 bundle raises eyebrows|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/5/30/17411226/star-citizen-legatus-pack-bundle|last=Good|first=Owen S.|date=2018-05-30|website=Polygon|language=en|access-date=2020-03-16}} Many of these delays were blamed on micromanagement of the project by key members of Cloud Imperium Games, and criticisms of feature creep plagued the project.{{Cite web|title=Will Star Citizen Ever Come Out?|url=https://screenrant.com/star-citizen-alpha-release-date-delay/|last=Jones|first=Camden|date=2019-07-23|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-16}} Comparisons were made between Star Citizen and Elite: Dangerous, another crowdfunded space flight simulation game announced at about the same time and released in 2014.{{Cite web|title=Clash of the space titans: Star Citizen delayed, Elite: Dangerous on track|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/05/clash-of-the-space-titans-star-citizen-delayed-elite-dangerous-on-track/|last=Hutchinson|first=Lee|date=2014-05-29|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us|access-date=2020-03-16}}

In November 2021, Cloud Imperium announced it would be opening a new office in Manchester to open in May 2022. Upon opening, it would become the company's UK headquarters and 400 people from the Wilmslow office would relocate to Manchester.{{Cite web |last=Dealessandri |first=Marie |date=2021-11-10 |title=Cloud Imperium to open Manchester studio |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/cloud-imperium-to-open-manchester-studio |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}} At the end of January 2024, live game director Todd Papy, along with several other lead staff members, left the company as part of a restructuring connected to the company's office relocation.{{Cite web |last=Neal |first=Chris |date=2024-02-15 |title=Star Citizen's live game director vacates position after nine years at CIG {{!}} Massively Overpowered |url=https://massivelyop.com/2024/02/15/star-citizens-live-game-director-vacates-position-after-nine-years-at-cig/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Neal |first=Chris |date=2024-02-26 |title=Star Citizen followers uncover additional layoffs at CIG that reference relocation and restructuring {{!}} Massively Overpowered |url=https://massivelyop.com/2024/02/26/star-citizen-followers-uncover-additional-layoffs-at-cig-that-reference-relocation-and-restructuring/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Justin |date=February 27, 2024 |title=Report: Star Citizen dev CIG laid off staff following studio relocation |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/report-star-citizen-dev-cig-laid-off-staff-following-studio-relocation |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=www.gamedeveloper.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=McEvoy |first=Sophie |date=2024-02-28 |title=Cloud Imperium hit with layoffs |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/cloud-imperium-reportedly-hit-with-layoffs |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}

Preceding their annual CitizenCon event in October 2024, CIG was reported to have mandated a 7-day work week for employees working on deliverables for the event. The goal of this two-week crunch period was reportedly to finish the 3.24.2 update for the Persistent Universe and a gameplay demonstration of Squadron 42, which was shown on stage at CitizenCon 2954 on 19 October. Employees were promised 12 hours of time off in lieu per week to be made available after the release of Squadron 42 on the condition that they still worked at the company at the time.{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Tom |date=2 October 2024 |title=Star Citizen Developer Cloud Imperium Games Imposes 7-Day Work Week Ahead of Citizencon |url=https://insider-gaming.com/star-citizen-developer-cloud-imperium-games/ |access-date=23 October 2024 |website=Insider Gaming}}{{Cite web |last=Blair |first=Marnell |date=3 October 2024 |title=Star Citizen Dev Is Forcing Employees To Work Seven Days A Week - Report |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/star-citizen-dev-is-forcing-employees-to-work-seven-days-a-week-report/1100-6526879/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003125229/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/star-citizen-dev-is-forcing-employees-to-work-seven-days-a-week-report/1100-6526879/ |archive-date=3 October 2024 |access-date=4 October 2024 |website=GameSpot}}

The developers of Star Citizen began crowdfunding in 2012, on their own website and Kickstarter.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2014/09/23/the-man-who-made-50-million-ditching-kickstarter.html|title=The man who made $50 million ditching Kickstarter|last=Morris|first=Chris|date=September 24, 2014|website=CNBC|type=Report|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924032114/http://www.cnbc.com/id/102021804|archive-date=September 24, 2014|access-date=October 16, 2014}} Funding quickly surpassed initial target goals and subsequently additional stretch goals have been added to the funding campaign, most promising more or expanded content at release.{{cite magazine|url=https://techland.time.com/2014/01/22/crazy-town-star-citizen-the-most-crowdfunded-project-in-history-just-hit-37-million/|title=Crazy Town: Star Citizen, the Most Crowdfunded Project in History, Just Hit $37 Million|last=Peckham|first=Matt|date=January 22, 2014|magazine=Time|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140128040739/http://techland.time.com/2014/01/22/crazy-town-star-citizen-the-most-crowdfunded-project-in-history-just-hit-37-million/|archive-date=January 28, 2014|access-date=October 19, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/6/24/5833336/star-citizen-community-votes-to-keep-stretch-goals-as-funding-sails|title=Star Citizen community votes to keep stretch goals as funding sails past $47M|last=Pitcher|first=Jenna|date=June 24, 2014|website=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629140141/http://www.polygon.com/2014/6/24/5833336/star-citizen-community-votes-to-keep-stretch-goals-as-funding-sails|archive-date=June 29, 2014|access-date=October 19, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://robertsspaceindustries.com/funding-goals/|title=Stretch Goals|last=Chris|first=Roberts|website=Roberts Space Industries|access-date=August 24, 2015}}

At initial pledge campaign end, the total pledge amount was above all goals initially set by Cloud Imperium Games and reached {{US$|6.2 million}}. In mid-2013, with {{US$|15 million}} raised in less than a year, Star Citizen became the "most-funded crowdfunding project anywhere".{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LccRAwAAQBAJ|title=Britannica book of the year: 2014|date=2014|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica|isbn=9781625131225|editor1-last=Jacobs Sparks|editor1-first=Karen|location=Chicago|page=213|oclc=892531428|access-date=November 10, 2014|editor2-last=Shepherd|editor2-first=Melinda C.|editor3-last=Bauer|editor3-first=Patricia|editor4-last=Duignang|editor4-first=Brian|editor5-last=Gregersen|editor5-first=Erik|display-editors=1|via=Google Books}} In 2014, Guinness World Records listed the sum of {{US$|39,680,576}} pledged on Star Citizen{{'s}} website as the "largest single amount ever raised via crowdsourcing".{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec0000unse_f8z3/page/141|title=Guinness World Records 2015|publisher=Guinness World Records Limited|isbn=978-1-90-884363-0|editor1-last=Glanday|editor1-first=Craig|location=London|publication-date=2014|page=[https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec0000unse_f8z3/page/141 141]|chapter=Crowdsourcing|date=September 9, 2014|oclc=869770714|access-date=October 16, 2014|editor2-last=Fall|editor2-first=Stephen|editor3-last=Mackey|editor3-first=Roxanne|editor4-last=Bebbington|editor4-first=Theresa|editor5-last=Lorimer|editor5-first=Marie|display-editors=1|chapter-url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/2015/preview/files/assets/basic-html/page16.html}} During the 2014 Gamescom event on August 15, Chris Roberts announced the crowdfunding campaign had surpassed {{US$|50 million}}.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/08/18/star-citizens-crowdfunding-total-shoots-past-50-million/|title=Star Citizen's crowdfunding total shoots past $50 million|last=Savage|first=Phil|date=August 18, 2014|magazine=PC Gamer|access-date=September 23, 2014}} On May 19, 2017, crowdfunding surpassed $150 million.{{cite news|url=http://www.eurogamer.pl/articles/2017-05-21-kosmiczny-symulator-star-citizen-zgromadzil-ponad-150-mln-dolarow|title=Kosmiczny symulator Star Citizen zgromadził ponad 150 mln dolarów|last=Bicki|first=Piotr|newspaper=Eurogamer.pl |date=May 21, 2017|access-date=May 22, 2017}} In addition to crowdfunding, funding for the game's development has continued through a variety of in-game transactions and subscriptions.{{cite news|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-11-29-star-citizen-is-selling-virtual-plots-of-land-for-up-to-96|title=Star Citizen is selling virtual plots of land ...|date=November 29, 2017|website=Eurogamer}}{{cite news|last=Younger|first=Phil|url=https://www.pcinvasion.com/star-citizen-now-selling-land-land-claim-licenses|title=Star Citizen now selling land with Land Claim Licenses for real cash|date=November 28, 2017|website=PC Invasion}}

In January 2017, when asked about the financial situation of Star Citizen, Chris Roberts said: "I’m not worried, because even if no money came in, we would have sufficient funds to complete Squadron 42. The revenue from this could in-turn be used for the completion of Star Citizen."{{cite web|url=https://www.pcinvasion.com/squadron-42-fund-star-citizen-cash|title="Squadron 42 would fund Star Citizen if cash ran out"|last=Younger|first=Paul|date=January 15, 2017|website=PC Invasion}}{{cite web|url=https://eifel-network.eu/data/2.%20Teil%20-%20Star%20Citizen%20Preview%20(PC)%20-%20%C2%BBEs%20wird%20Spa%C3%9F%20machen%C2%AB%20-%20GameStar%20-%20vereinfacht.pdf|title=GameStar - Das Geduldspiel|language=de|access-date=April 8, 2017|archive-date=April 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409110832/https://eifel-network.eu/data/2.%20Teil%20-%20Star%20Citizen%20Preview%20(PC)%20-%20%C2%BBEs%20wird%20Spa%C3%9F%20machen%C2%AB%20-%20GameStar%20-%20vereinfacht.pdf|url-status=dead}} For contributing to the project's funding, backers receive virtual rewards in the form of tiered pledge packages, which include a spaceship and credits to buy additional equipment and to cover initial costs in the virtual economy, like fuel and rental fees,{{cite book|last1=Atkinson|first1=Sarah|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-Si7rQEACAAJ|title=Beyond the Screen: Emerging Cinema and Engaging Audiences|date=2014|publisher=Bloomsbury|isbn=9781623569242|location=New York; London|oclc=856054643|access-date=November 21, 2014|via=Google Books}} but according to the developers, players will be able to earn all backer rewards in the game itself, with the exception of certain cosmetic items and Lifetime Insurance (LTI), without having to spend additional money.{{cite web|url=http://gamingbolt.com/star-citizens-funding-spent-completely-on-development-no-profits-being-made|title=Star Citizen's Funding Spent Completely on Development, No Profits Being Made|last=Sinha|first=Ravi|date=October 2, 2014|website=GamingBolt|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112145933/http://gamingbolt.com/star-citizens-funding-spent-completely-on-development-no-profits-being-made|archive-date=November 12, 2014|access-date=January 29, 2015}}{{Cite web|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/14327-Bombs-Away-The-Anvil-Gladiator|title=Bombs Away: The Anvil Gladiator - Roberts Space Industries|website=Roberts Space Industries|access-date=April 16, 2017}}

Crowdfunding from backers exceeded US$170 million by December 2017 when Star Citizen released in early access. {{Cite web |date=2018-12-20 |title=Cloud Imperium Financials from 2012 to 2017 |url=https://cloudimperiumgames.com/blog/corporate/cfo-comment-2012-2017-financials |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=cloudimperiumgames.com |language=en}} Since then, the developer has not stated a clear split of crowdfund based revenues and straight early access sales so the total crowdfund figure is unclear. Combined regular sales from early access and original crowdfunding total exceeded $300 million in June 2020,{{cite web|last=Macgregor|first=Jody|date=June 13, 2020|title=Star Citizen has raised over $300 million now|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/star-citizen-has-raised-over-dollar300-million-now/|website=pcgamer.com}} surpassed $400 million in November 2021,{{cite web |title=Star Citizen: A $400+ Million Gaming Project With No Release Date In Sight. (2021) |url=https://techingaming.com/star-citizen-a-400-million-gaming-project-with-no-release-date-in-sight-2021/ |website=Techgaming |access-date=23 November 2021 |archive-date=December 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204132624/https://techingaming.com/star-citizen-a-400-million-gaming-project-with-no-release-date-in-sight-2021/ |url-status=dead }} and $500 million in September 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/star-citizen-has-now-raised-more-than-half-a-billion-dollars-in-crowdfunding |title=Star Citizen has now raised more than half a billion dollars in crowdfunding |date=20 Sep 2022 |last=Wales |first=Matt |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network Limited |access-date=20 Sep 2022 }} The current number of paying players is unknown, as it does not equal the advertised counter 'Star Citizens'.{{Cite web|date=2016-07-12|title=Roberts Space Industries: La force d'une communauté de joueurs|url=https://quebec.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/07/12/jeu-video-star-citizen_n_10941920.html|access-date=2020-08-21|website=HuffPost Québec|language=fr-CA}}

Billionaire Clive Calder purchased a 10 percent stake in Cloud Imperium Games for US$46 million in December 2018, placing the company at a $460 million valuation, regarding which TechCrunch commented, "One may very well question the sanity of such a valuation for a company that has not yet shipped an actual product." In addition to the stake, Clive and his son, Keith Calder, gained board seats at Cloud Imperium.{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/21/crowdfunded-developer-of-space-sim-star-citizen-takes-on-46m-in-funding-at-nearly-500m-valuation/|title=Crowdfunded developer of space sim Star Citizen takes on $46M in funding at nearly $500M valuation|last=Coldewey|first=Devin|date=December 21, 2018|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-22}} In March 2020 an additional $17.25 million investment was received, raising total private funding to $63.25 million.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2020/03/star-citizen-has-now-raised-over-550-million/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330010050/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2020/03/star-citizen-has-now-raised-over-550-million/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 30, 2020|title=Star Citizen Has Now Raised Over $550 Million|last=Walker|first=Alex|date=March 31, 2020|website=Kotaku AU|access-date=2020-07-29}}

Due to United Kingdom financial disclosure laws, Cloud Imperium Games released financials for parts of the company. The documents revealed that in 5 years of development, from 2012 to 2017, the company had spent US$193 million and reserved $14 million.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/star-citizen-budget-accounting-1203093928/|title='Star Citizen' Dev Spent Over $4 Million a Month in 2017|last=Futter|first=Michael|date=2018-12-20|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2020-03-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/12/20/star-citizen-interview-why-chris-roberts-raised-another-46-million-to-finish-sci-fi-universe/|title=Star Citizen interview — Why Chris Roberts raised another $46 million to finish sci-fi universe|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|date=2018-12-20|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-16}} CIG financials for UK in 2020 revealed that it had paid about £1 million in dividends to shareholders.{{Cite web|url=https://massivelyop.com/2021/10/17/star-citizen-financial-report-outlines-over-1m-in-paid-dividends-to-investors-as-of-last-year/|title=Star Citizen financial report outlines over £1M in paid dividends to investors as of last year|last=Neal|first=Chris|date=2021-10-17|website=Massively OP|language=en|access-date=2022-02-08}}

CIG financial disclosure for 2022 in the UK, posted in March 2024, includes further details regarding the terms of this external investment in Note 28 of the report.{{Cite web |title=CLOUD IMPERIUM GAMES LIMITED filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08815227/filing-history |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk |language=en}} The investment carries a put option that allows investors to recover their investment plus interest at certain time windows during 2024, 2025 and 2028. In the same financial disclosure CIG estimates this liability at £47.8 million for the part of the external investment in the UK business. Since Clive Calder's investment was performed in equal measure in the US side of the CIG business,{{Cite web |date=2018-12-20 |title=Cloud Imperium Investment Fact Sheet |url=https://cloudimperiumgames.com/blog/corporate/cloud-imperium-investment-fact-sheet |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=cloudimperiumgames.com |language=en}} further estimates quantify the total liability by CIG, owing to investors around $130 million overall if these were to call their put options.{{Cite web |last=Neal |first=Chris |date=2024-03-19 |title=Star Citizen's 2022 financials offer additional information about investors and their expected returns {{!}} Massively Overpowered |url=https://massivelyop.com/2024/03/19/star-citizens-2022-financials-offer-additional-information-about-investors-and-their-expected-returns/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |language=en-US}}

In 2014, Eurogamer reported that a grey market had arisen from Star Citizen's funding practices, specifically the sale of limited-run ships and the inability for players to sell ships among themselves. Several people began to act as middle-men to process transactions between players wanting to sell or trade ships, which became more prevalent after changes to in-game ship insurance mechanics on newly sold ships. Cloud Imperium Games made changes to the project's "gifting system", announcing, "In order to eliminate the middleman scam, packages will be giftable only once before they are locked to an account." Middlemen moved around this restriction by primarily dealing with the fiscal side of the transaction and allowing the actual parties to exchange their goods. According to the report, "Chris Roberts expresses no desire to clamp down on the Star Citizen grey market".{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-10-08-inside-star-citizens-grey-market|title=Inside Star Citizen's grey market|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=2014-10-09|website=Eurogamer|language=en|access-date=2020-03-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/i-sold-my-star-citizen-fleet-to-finance-a-new-car/|title=I Sold My 'Star Citizen' Fleet To Finance a New Car|last=Brodzky|first=Kyle|date=2016-10-28|website=Vice|language=en|access-date=2020-03-16}}

In a 2016 Polygon opinion article, Charlie Hall compared Star Citizen to No Man's Sky and Elite: Dangerous, writing that "Last time I checked, Star Citizen writ large was a hope wrapped inside a dream buried inside a few layers of controversy", while stating that each game has something different to offer within the space sim genre.{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/8/12/12458040/no-mans-sky-star-citizen-elite-dangerous|title=No Man's Sky, Star Citizen and Elite: Dangerous are allies, not enemies|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=August 12, 2016|website=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media}} PC Gamer writer Luke Winkie also compared Star Citizen to No Man's Sky, describing Star Citizen as "the other super ambitious, controversial space sim on the horizon", and indicating that fans of the genre, disappointed in No Man's Sky were turning to the as-yet-unfinished Star Citizen, while sometimes expressing concerns should the latter fail to deliver.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/these-disappointed-no-mans-sky-players-are-turning-to-star-citizen/|title=These disappointed No Man's Sky players are turning to Star Citizen|last=Winkie|first=Luke|date=January 9, 2016|magazine=PC Gamer}}

The game's developers have attracted criticism for continuing to raise funds enthusiastically while failing to meet project deadlines, as well as doubts about technical feasibility and the ability of the developers to finish the game.{{Cite magazine|last=Baker|first=Chris|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/03/fans-dropped-77m-guys-buggy-half-built-game/|title=Fans Have Dropped $77M on This Guy's Buggy, Half-Built Game|date=March 31, 2015|magazine=WIRED|access-date=May 2, 2017|language=en-US}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/derek-smart-threatens-legal-action-against-cloud-imperium-games-over-star-citizen/|title=Derek Smart threatens legal action against Cloud Imperium Games over Star Citizen|last=Chalk|first=Andy|date=August 24, 2015|magazine=PC Gamer|access-date=December 24, 2017}}{{Cite news|last=Burnell|first=Lewis|url=http://www.tentonhammer.com/articles/stop-funding-star-citizen|title=Stop Funding Star Citizen|date=December 3, 2014|work=Ten Ton Hammer|access-date=May 2, 2017}}

Between September and October 2015, The Escapist magazine wrote a pair of highly controversial articles citing various sources who claimed that the project was in trouble.{{cite news|last=Finnegan|first=Liz|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/features/14695-Star-Citizen-Controversy-Reaches-a-Boiling-Point|title=Eject! Eject! Is Star Citizen Going to Crash and Burn?|date=September 25, 2015|work=The Escapist|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119204006/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/features/14695-Star-Citizen-Controversy-Reaches-a-Boiling-Point|archive-date=January 19, 2017}}{{cite news|last=Finnegan|first=Liz|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/features/14715-CIG-Employees-Talk-Star-Citizen-and-the-State-of-the-Company|title=Star Citizen Employees Speak Out on Project Woes|date=October 5, 2015|work=The Escapist|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119204020/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/features/14715-CIG-Employees-Talk-Star-Citizen-and-the-State-of-the-Company|archive-date=January 19, 2017}} After Roberts wrote a scathing response to the articles, Cloud Imperium Games threatened the site and its owners with legal action which never materialized.{{cite web|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/14979-Chairmans-Response-To-The-Escapist|title=Chairman's response to the Escapist|last=Roberts|first=Chris|date=October 1, 2015|website=Roberts Space Industries|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001220436/https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/14979-Chairmans-Response-To-The-Escapist|archive-date=October 1, 2015}}{{cite news|last=White|first=Ken|url=https://www.popehat.com/2015/10/04/in-space-no-one-can-hear-you-threaten-lawsuits/|title=In Space, No One Can Hear You Threaten Lawsuits|date=October 4, 2018|work=Popehat}}{{cite news|last=Evangelho|first=Jason|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/2015/10/04/star-citizen-developer-threatens-lawsuit-against-the-escapist-demands-apology-and-retraction/#212352dc17b1|title='Star Citizen' Developer Threatens Lawsuit Against The Escapist, Demands Apology And Retraction|date=October 4, 2015|work=Forbes}} In March 2017, Derek Smart wrote that both parties had settled the matter out of court. The statement from Defy Media reads "In response to your request for comment, I can share that CIG and The Escapist have mutually agreed to delete their comments about each other. We wish each other well and look forward to better relations in 2017".{{cite web|url=http://dereksmart.com/2017/03/star-citizen-money-laundromat/|title=Defy Media Settles Matter|last=Smart|first=Derek|date=March 28, 2017|website=Smart Speak}} The article later came in third (tied) for an award by the Society of Professional Journalists.{{cite news|url=https://www.spj.org/kunkel-winners-2015.asp|title=Kunkel Awards 2015|date=December 17, 2015|work=Society of Professional Journalists}}

In September 2016, Kotaku UK wrote a five-part series about the various controversies surrounding the project.{{cite news |date=September 23, 2016 |title=Inside Star Citizen |url=http://www.kotaku.co.uk/tag/inside-star-citizen/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104163742/http://www.kotaku.co.uk/tag/inside-star-citizen |archive-date=November 4, 2016 |access-date=April 2, 2024 |work=Kotaku UK}} One article in the series was related to a long-rumored feud between Smart and Roberts.{{cite news |last1=Ottsjo |first1=Peter |last2=Holmgren |first2=Alfred |date=September 26, 2016 |title=The 24-Year Feud That Has Dogged Star Citizen |url=http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2016/09/26/the-24-year-feud-that-has-dogged-star-citizen |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104163742/http://www.kotaku.co.uk/tag/inside-star-citizen |archive-date=November 4, 2016 |access-date=April 2, 2024 |work=Kotaku UK}} In December 2016, Star Citizen was the recipient of Wired{{'s}} 2016 Vaporware Awards.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2016/12/vaporware-games/|title=Thanks for Nothing, Videogames: The 2016 Vaporware Awards|last=Kohler|first=Chris|date=December 27, 2016|magazine=WIRED|access-date=March 18, 2018|language=en-US}} Massively OP awarded the game its "Most Likely to Flop" award for both 2016 and 2017.{{Cite news|last=Royce|first=Bree|url=https://massivelyop.com/2016/12/18/massively-ops-best-of-2016-awards-most-likely-to-flop/|title=Most Likely to Flop in 2017 or Beyond|date=December 18, 2016|work=Massively OP|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|last=Royce|first=Bree|url=https://massivelyop.com/2017/12/23/massively-ops-best-of-2017-awards-most-likely-to-flop/|title=Most Likely to Flop in 2018 or Beyond|date=December 3, 2016|work=Massively OP|language=en-US}}

Ongoing online disputes exist over the scope of the project, the project's funding, as well as the project's ability to eventually deliver on promises. Some writers have been the subject of e-mail attacks for their coverage of the project.{{cite news|last=Tassi|first=Paul|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2015/12/14/with-100m-in-crowdfunding-star-citizen-may-not-be-a-scam-but-it-feels-like-a-cult/#6253e8be130d|title=With $100M In Crowdfunding, 'Star Citizen' May Not Be A Scam, But It Feels Like A Cult|date=December 14, 2015|work=Forbes}} At least one popular YouTube personality was allegedly sent death threats by a fan of the game.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1knnIrvr4HE|title=Let's talk about the Star Citizen fan that threatened my family|last=SidAlpha|date=June 6, 2018|via=Youtube}} Various articles{{who|date=March 2020}} regarding the controversy surrounding the project also focus on both sides of the argument.{{clarify|date=March 2020}}{{cite news|last=Barder|first=Ollie|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2015/10/02/the-excess-of-star-citizen-is-the-price-gaming-pays-for-upholding-the-great-man-myth/#5c33037e180f|title=The Excess Of 'Star Citizen' Is The Price Gaming Pays For Upholding The Great Man Myth|date=October 2, 2015|work=Forbes}}{{cite news|last=Kain|first=Eric|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2015/10/07/everybody-needs-to-calm-down-about-star-citizen/#52931e6b48ab|title=Everybody Needs To Calm Down About 'Star Citizen'|date=October 7, 2015|work=Forbes}}

In July 2015, independent game designer Derek Smart, one of the original early backers of the project in 2012, wrote a blog post in which he claimed that due to the project's increased scope and lack of adequate technology, that it could never be completed as pitched.{{cite web|url=http://www.dereksmart.com/2015/07/interstellar-citizens/|title=Interstellar Citizens|last=Smart|first=Derek|date=July 6, 2015|website=Smart Speak}} Following the blog post and widespread news coverage, Cloud Imperium Games refunded him and canceled his account.{{cite news|last=Chalk|first=Andy|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/derek-smart-star-citizen/|title=Here's what's going on with Derek Smart and Star Citizen|date=July 15, 2015|work=PC Gamer}}{{cite news|last=Younger|first=Paul|url=https://www.pcinvasion.com/star-citizen-will-never-get-made/|title=Star Citizen will "never get made" as it's been pitched says Derek Smart|date=July 5, 2015|work=PC Invasion}} In August 2015 via his attorneys, Smart sent a demand letter to Cloud Imperium Games asking for the promised accounting records for backer money, a release date, and a refund option for all backers no longer willing to support the game.{{cite web|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2015/08/derek-smart-threatens-to-sue-star-citizen-developers-unless-they-meet-his-demands/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825155139/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2015/08/derek-smart-threatens-to-sue-star-citizen-developers-unless-they-meet-his-demands/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 25, 2015|title=Derek Smart Threatens To Sue Star Citizen Developers Unless They Meet His Demands|last=Walker|first=Alex|date=August 25, 2015|website=Kotaku Australia|access-date=December 24, 2017}} CIG's co-founder and general counsel Ortwin Freyermuth characterized Smart's claims as "defamatory" and "entirely without merit".{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/derek-smart-on-star-citizen|title=Why has Derek Smart picked a fight with Star Citizen?|last=Peel|first=Jeremy|date=September 26, 2015|website=PCGamesN|access-date=December 24, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pcinvasion.com/rsi-respond-to-derek-smarts-star-citizen-demands|title=RSI respond to Derek Smart's Star Citizen demands|last=Younger|first=Paul|date=September 4, 2015|website=PC Invasion|access-date=December 24, 2017}} Smart has continued to be critical of the project following his refund.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/star-citizen/derek-smart-is-refusing-to-take-his-refunded-250-star-citizen-pledge-lying-down|title=Derek Smart is refusing to take his refunded $250 Star Citizen pledge lying down|last=Brown|first=Fraser|website=PCGamesN|date=July 18, 2015 |language=en-GB|access-date=2020-04-10}}

Virtual land claims, a feature that had not yet been implemented in the game, were announced for sale in 2017, which attracted criticism from both the press and the public. Concerns regarding the mechanic's lack of availability and potential pay-to-win advantages were raised. In response, Cloud Imperium Games wrote, "People that own claim licenses now, during the anniversary sale to support development, and people that earn the money in-game to buy one will be on equal footing assuming they have enough UEC, especially as there will be millions of locations for people to explore and claim within the Universe over the lifetime of the game."{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-11-29-star-citizen-is-selling-virtual-plots-of-land-for-up-to-96|title=Star Citizen is selling virtual plots of land for up to £96 a pop|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=2017-11-29|website=Eurogamer|language=en|access-date=2020-03-15}}

In August 2018, Cloud Imperium Games attempted to monetize the live stream broadcast of the project's annual CitizenCon event, eventually backing down due to online protestations.{{Cite news|last=Tassi|first=Paul|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2018/08/31/and-your-monthly-star-citizen-controversy-is-a-20-paywall-to-watch-citizencon/#2c86ff57697b|title=And Your Monthly Star Citizen Controversy Is...A $20 Paywall To Watch CitizenCon|work=Forbes|access-date=August 31, 2018}}{{Cite news|last=Hall|first=Charlie|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/8/31/17806598/star-citizen-citizencon-free-how-to-stream|title=Star Citizen studio backs away from plan to charge fans to stream convention|work=Polygon|access-date=August 31, 2018}}{{Cite news|last=Jeffrey|first=Cal|url=https://www.techspot.com/news/76263-outraged-star-citizen-fans-refuse-buy-digital-passes.html|title=Outraged Star Citizen fans refuse to buy digital passes for streamed CitizenCon event|date=September 4, 2018|work=TechSpot|access-date=September 4, 2018}} Later on, they removed a cap on in-game currency, resulting in renewed criticism over the game's pay-to-win mechanics.{{Cite news|last=Horti|first=Samuel|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/chris-roberts-responds-to-star-citizen-pay-to-win-concerns-after-removal-of-in-game-currency-cap/|title=Chris Roberts responds to Star Citizen 'pay-to-win' concerns after removal of in-game currency cap|date=August 5, 2018|work=PC Gamer|access-date=August 5, 2018}}{{Cite news|last=Mason|first=Damien|url=https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/damien-cox/star-citizen-prompts-pay-to-win-concerns-after-removing-in-game-currency-cap/|title=Star Citizen prompts pay-to-win concerns after removing in-game currency cap|date=August 6, 2018|work=KitGuru|access-date=August 6, 2018}}

As early as 2015, some Star Citizen backers began requesting refunds from Cloud Imperium Games. According to Polygon, "an internal survey posted on the Star Citizen message boards revealed as many as 25 percent of the game's backers expressing an interest in a process for getting their money back. The survey received 1,173 responses." Initially, refunds were being processed on a case-by-case basis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/8/20/9180067/star-citizen-backers-claiming-refunds-are-getting-their-money-back|title=Some Star Citizen backers who claim full pledge refunds are getting their money back|last=Campbell|first=Colin|date=2015-08-20|website=Polygon|language=en|access-date=2020-03-15}} On June 10, 2016, the terms of service had been amended to remove a passage regarding refund eligibility. In the previous terms of service, backers could procure a refund if the game had not been released within 18 months of its original estimated delivery date. The revision changed the terms to reflect that backers could only procure refunds if the project was abandoned by developers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-06-21-star-citizen-terms-of-service-update-makes-it-a-bit-harder-to-get-a-refund|title=Star Citizen Terms of Service update makes it a bit harder to get a refund|last=Purchese|first=Robert|date=2016-06-21|website=Eurogamer|language=en|access-date=2020-03-15}} Exceptions to this change covered backers who spent money prior to the terms change and stated that they would retain the 18-month clause if they pursued a refund.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kotaku.co.uk/2016/06/20/star-citizen-changes-terms-of-service-to-make-it-more-difficult-to-get-a-refund|title=Star Citizen Changes Terms of Service to Make it More Difficult to Get a Refund|last=Benson|first=Julian|date=June 20, 2016|website=Kotaku UK|language=en|access-date=2020-03-16}} A month later, it was reported that a backer filed a formal complaint to both the Los Angeles County District Attorney and the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs after his attempts to gain a refund failed following the terms of service change. The backer stated that they had initially been interested in the project for its virtual reality support, which would help them enjoy the game with their disability. Upon postponement of virtual reality support and changes to the terms of service, the backer stated it was "the straw that broke the camel’s back for me." The DCBA investigator assigned to the case made an arrangement with Cloud Imperium Games to process the US$2,550 refund as the backer had not downloaded the game client and therefore not accepted the revised terms of service.{{cite news|last=Caldwell|first=Brendan|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/07/14/star-citizen-refund/|title=Star Citizen Backer Gets $2550 Refund After Attorney General of Los Angeles Gets Involved|date=July 14, 2016|work=RockPaperShotgun}}{{cite news|last=Hall|first=Charlie|url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/7/15/12198614/how-one-frustrated-star-citizen-backer-got-thousands-of-dollars|title=How one frustrated Star Citizen backer got thousands of dollars refunded|date=July 15, 2016|work=Polygon}}

Additional cases regarding Star Citizen refunds have received attention from the media. A hoax perpetrated by an anonymous Redditor in September 2017 claimed that they had worked over the course of five weeks to procure a US$45,000 refund was reported by Ars Technica and forced the outlet to retract the story after it was disproven.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/9/15/16308452/star-citizen-scam-hoax-45000-dollar-refund|title=The fight over Star Citizen's production delay is getting dirty|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=2017-09-15|website=Polygon|language=en|access-date=2020-03-16}} A few months later, in December, it was reported that a backer had spent almost three months requesting a US$24,000 refund and had initiated a small claims court case against Cloud Imperium Games. In the same report, a second backer stated they were attempting to receive a US$16,700 refund from the project. The first case was forwarded to the Better Business Bureau.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/12/13/16767590/star-citizen-refund|title=Star Citizen backer's $25,000 refund has taken months, still in dispute (update)|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=2017-12-13|website=Polygon|language=en|access-date=2020-03-16}}

Following a discussion with the Better Business Bureau, Cloud Imperium Games made changes to their website and further revised their terms of service. Site changes were designed to more clearly communicate the state of the project, define the purchase as a "pledge", and “inform potential buyers there may be product delivery delays and to check the roadmap site before they choose to click the final OK box and provide payment.” The new terms of service opened refund requests to a 14-day "cancellation period", but Cloud Imperium Games claimed that they also maintained a company policy to refund backers within 30 days.{{cite web|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/tos|title=Star Citizen TOS 2018|date=January 25, 2018|website=Roberts Space Industries}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/2/12/16997396/star-citizen-better-business-bureau-terms-of-service-changes|title=Star Citizen's developers met with nation's leading consumer protection group|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=2018-02-12|website=Polygon|language=en|access-date=2020-03-16}}

In July 2018, a backer initiated a small claims court case against Cloud Imperium Games to refund US$4,496. It was reported that he had "grown disillusioned with the title's numerous delays, broken promises, and changes in scope". He argued that changes to the game would limit his ability to play due to disability. In court, Cloud Imperium Games argued that the backer's involvement in an early tester program called "Evocati" proved that they were actively providing a product to him. When an arbitration clause from the project's terms of service was brought up, the backer argued that he was covered under the original terms of service as he had backed the project prior to changes to the terms of service. Cloud Imperium Games provided evidence that a "vast majority" of the backer's purchases were made after the change and that he would have had to accept the revised terms of service when making any new purchase. The judge presiding the case sided with Cloud Imperium Games and ruled against the backer.{{Cite news|last=Orland|first=Kyle|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/07/court-denies-star-citizen-backers-4500-refund-lawsuit/|title=Court Denies Star Citizen Backer's $4,500 Refund Lawsuit|date=July 18, 2018|work=ArsTechnica|access-date=July 18, 2018}}{{Cite news|last=Grayson|first=Nathan|url=https://kotaku.com/star-citizen-backer-sues-to-get-4-500-back-loses-1827666550|title=Star Citizen Backer Sues To Get $4,500 Back, Loses|date=July 17, 2018|work=Kotaku|access-date=July 17, 2018}} In a Forbes magazine report from May 2019, it was alleged that the backer continued to purchase ships after the lawsuit was closed. The same report noted that a Freedom of Information Act request had shown that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission had received 129 complaints concerning Cloud Imperium Games.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattperez/2019/05/01/exclusive-the-saga-of-star-citizen-a-video-game-that-raised-300-millionbut-may-never-be-ready-to-play/|title=Exclusive: The Saga Of 'Star Citizen,' A Video Game That Raised $300 Million—But May Never Be Ready To Play|last=Perez|first=Matt|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=2020-03-16}}

Crytek, the developers of CryEngine, filed a lawsuit in December 2017 for copyright infringement and breach of contract against Cloud Imperium Games. Specific complaints by Crytek include that Cloud Imperium Games continued to use CryEngine after the announced migration to Amazon Lumberyard, failure to disclose modifications to CryEngine, using the same engine for two separate products instead of one, and improper removal of the CryEngine logo from game materials. The initial complaint asked for direct and indirect damages as well as a permanent injunction against further use of the CryEngine in any Star Citizen or Squadron 42 materials.{{cite news|url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6256484/crytek-gmbh-v-cloud-imperium-games-corp/|title=CryTek GmbH vs. Cloud Imperium Games et al|website=CourtListener}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-42352606|title=Star Citizen game makers being sued|date=December 17, 2017|website=BBC News}}{{cite news|last=Purchese|first=Robert|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-12-14-the-star-citizen-makers-are-being-sued-by-crytek|title=The Star Citizen makers are being sued by Crytek|date=December 14, 2017|website=Eurogamer}} Cloud Imperium Games called the lawsuit "meritless", while Crytek stated that it had "been left with no option but to protect its intellectual property in court.”{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/12/13/16774244/crytek-star-citizen-cryengine-lawsuit|title=Crytek sues Star Citizen studios over use of CryEngine (update: Crytek responds)|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=2017-12-13|website=Polygon|language=en|access-date=2020-03-16}}

As the lawsuit continued, Cloud Imperium Games argued that Crytek was "selectively" and "misleadingly" appropriating the agreements made between the two companies. Cloud Imperium Games further asserted that exclusive use of the engine did not extend to a "requirement to use that engine", and that the original agreement barred "either party from seeking damages".{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/01/star-citizen-maker-says-engine-suit-never-should-have-been-filed/|title=Star Citizen maker says engine suit "never should have been filed"|last=Orland|first=Kyle|date=2018-01-08|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us|access-date=2020-03-16}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/cloud-imperium-responds-to-cryteks-star-citizen-lawsuit/|title=Cloud Imperium responds to Crytek's Star Citizen lawsuit|last=Brown|first=Fraser|date=2018-01-08|magazine=PC Gamer|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-16}}

Cloud Imperium Games asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit in January 2018, but in August that same year the judge denied the dismissal with an exception of a single claim and the pursuit of punitive damages.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/01/08/star-citizen-asks-courts-to-dismiss-lawsuit/|title=Star Citizen devs ask court to dismiss Crytek's lawsuit|last=O'Connor|first=Alice|date=2018-01-08|website=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://massivelyop.com/2018/08/15/a-judge-has-mostly-denied-star-citizen-studios-motion-to-dismiss-the-crytek-copyright-lawsuit/|title=A judge has mostly denied Star Citizen studio's motion to dismiss the Crytek copyright lawsuit|last=Royce|first=Bree|date=August 15, 2018|website=Massively OP|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-16}} However, in December 2018, the judge dismissed claims regarding Cloud Imperium Games' right to use another game engine and their obligation to promote CryEngine.{{Cite web|url=https://massivelyop.com/2018/12/07/a-judge-has-dismissed-another-chunk-of-the-cryteks-star-citizen-engine-lawsuit/|title=A judge has dismissed another chunk of Crytek's Star Citizen engine lawsuit|last=Royce|first=Bree|date=December 7, 2018|website=Massively OP|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-16}}

After an additional year of litigation, Crytek filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit without prejudice or legal fees in January 2020 with an option to resume the lawsuit following the release of Squadron 42.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/cryteks-lawsuit-over-star-citizen-using-cryengine-continues-heating-up/|title=Crytek's lawsuit over Star Citizen using Cryengine continues heating up|last=Macgregor|first=Jody|date=2020-01-18|magazine=PC Gamer|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-10}} Cloud Imperium Games countered with a motion to dismiss with US$500,000 in legal expenses paid by Crytek. During the dismissal motions, Cloud Imperium Games submitted an email sent from Amazon to Crytek in May 2019, stating that the company granted a license to its Lumberyard engine in 2016, which included rights to CryEngine in their license agreement.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-01-18-star-citizen-dev-hits-back-against-crytek-as-war-of-words-continues|title=Star Citizen dev hits back against Crytek as war of words continues|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=2020-01-18|website=Eurogamer|language=en|access-date=2020-03-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/01/crytek-cloud-imperium-battle-over-how-to-end-star-citizen-lawsuit/|title=Crytek, Cloud Imperium battle over how to end Star Citizen lawsuit|last=Orland|first=Kyle|date=2020-01-20|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us|access-date=2020-03-16}}

In February 2020, Crytek and Cloud Imperium Games filed for a settlement proposal, with a 30-day request to file a joint dismissal of the lawsuit with undisclosed terms.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/358552/Cryteks_lawsuit_against_Star_Citizen_devs_ends_in_settlement.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221174441/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/358552/Cryteks_lawsuit_against_Star_Citizen_devs_ends_in_settlement.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 21, 2020|title=Crytek's lawsuit against Star Citizen devs ends in settlement|last=McAloon|first=Alissa|date=February 21, 2020|work=Gamasutra|access-date=February 21, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-02-21-crytek-and-cloud-imperium-games-settle-star-citizen-lawsuit|title=Crytek and Cloud Imperium Games settle Star Citizen lawsuit|last=Wales|first=Matt|date=2020-02-21|website=Eurogamer|language=en|access-date=2020-03-16}} The annual report published by Cloud Imperium Games in early 2021 revealed that Cloud Imperium Games acquired a license for CryEngine from Crytek in 2020.{{cite web |last=Neal |first=Chris |url=https://massivelyop.com/2021/01/08/cig-acquires-a-perpetual-license-for-cryteks-cryengine-to-further-develop-star-citizen/ |title=CIG acquires a perpetual license for Crytek's CryEngine to further develop Star Citizen |date=2021-01-08 |language=en |access-date=2022-10-09}}

In September 2021, a customer complaint to the United Kingdom's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) citing a lack of transparency in marketing emails from Cloud Imperium Games regarding email promotions for vessels in development was upheld.{{Cite news |author1=Mat Paget |date=2021-09-08 |title=Star Citizen adds disclaimer to spaceship preorders after regulator says they're misleading |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/star-citizen-adds-disclaimer-to-spaceship-preorders-after-regulator-says-theyre-misleading/ |access-date=2023-01-21}} The ASA asked Cloud Imperium Games to make it clearer that "concept ships" for sale are not yet available in the game, which resulted in Star Citizen marketing emails now including a disclaimer warning potential customers about the nature of concept ships.{{Cite news |date=2021-09-08 |title=Advertising Standards tells Star Citizen dev to make it clear that for sale 'concept ships' don't exist in-game yet |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/advertising-standards-tells-star-citizen-dev-to-make-it-clear-for-sale-concept-ships-dont-exist-in-game-yet |access-date=2023-01-21}}

{{Portal|Video games}}

• List of most expensive video games to develop
• List of highest-funded crowdfunding projects
• List of space flight simulation games
• List of vaporware

{{-}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website}}

Category:Fiction about asteroid mining

Category:Cooperative video games

Category:Kickstarter-funded video games

Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games

Category:Massively multiplayer online first-person shooter games

Category:Video games with co-operative vehicle control

Category:Open-world video games

Category:Science fiction video games

Category:Space combat simulators

Category:Space flight simulator games

Category:Space massively multiplayer online role-playing games

Category:Space trading and combat simulators

Category:Upcoming video games

Category:Early access video games

Category:Indie games

Category:Video game controversies

Category:Video games developed in Canada

Category:Video games developed in Germany

Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom

Category:Video games developed in the United States

Category:Video games scored by Geoff Zanelli

Category:Video games scored by Pedro Camacho

Category:Video games set in the 30th century

Category:Video games set on fictional planets

Category:Video games using PhysX

Category:Video games using procedural generation

Category:Virtual economies

Category:Windows games