# Star Citizen is the Future of PC Gaming, and it \[was\] Free to Play this week (Edit: No Longer Free) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** video-games-e-games\ **Created:** [October 13, 2015, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528 "2015-10-13T06:29:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 46
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2023, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/901 "2023-03-04T16:09:32Z")
> **[Star Citizen: How Does Persistent Entity Streaming Change The Game?](https://gamerant.com/star-citizen-how-does-persistent-entity-streaming-change-the-game/)** > > Star Citizen's 3.18 patch will bring innovative tech to the gaming realm - Persistent Entity Streaming allows for a range of new opportunities. > **[Star Citizen tops $550 million in crowdfunding, reaching over 4 million...](https://gameworldobserver.com/2023/02/27/star-citizen-tops-550-million-crowdfunding-cloud-imperium-games)** > > Cloud Imperium Games continues to break crowdfunding records. Star Citizen has now surpassed the $550 million mark, and its development is still far from over. 🎵 This is the development that never ends / it goes on and on, my friend. 🎶 ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2023, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/902 "2023-03-04T18:58:45Z")
It looks like an interesting game based on videos of it. I looked it up on WIKI and there doesn’t appear to be any reason for the delays despite a pledged amount that greatly exceeded what it would cost to produce it in a timely manner. There are are a lot of people asking for their money back. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/903 "2023-03-05T08:36:35Z")
I believe the reason is simple enough. They want a game that uses the most modern tech, which takes time, by then the tech has been superseded. A perpetual loop of promising more and more and more. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/904 "2023-03-05T10:36:23Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > I believe the reason is simple enough It’s even simpler: they’re making more money now than they will if and when they finish the game. They have no incentive to actually produce anything. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/905 "2023-03-05T13:30:54Z")
And they’re chasing all the most modern tech, even when it’s completely irrelevant. There’s no reason that you need tears on people’s faces to be accurate to within a tenth of a millimeter, for a space exploration game. And yet, they put that at a higher priority than the ability to actually BUY things in a shop. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2023, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/906 "2023-03-06T03:52:21Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > It’s even simpler: they’re making more money now than they will if and when they finish the game. They have no incentive to actually produce anything. Well, that and this is just what happens when a project has no limitations on time or resources. ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2023, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/907 "2023-03-17T02:30:32Z")
Their “biggest update yet!” has apparently stirred enough interest to crash the servers. A pretty good article that summarizes the history and increasingly-awkward stage the product is below. A sample: > [@](#): > > We’re now firmly ensconced in the second decade of _Star Citizen_’s crowdfunding-driven development. And while backers can currently play a minimally functional alpha version (that’s still [missing many promised features], there’s still no sign of even a fully playable beta version in sight. > > Don’t worry, though—that state of affairs hasn’t stopped developer Roberts Space Industries (RSI) from finding new and interesting ways for the game to break. > **[Star Citizen still hasn’t launched, but it’s facing server failures](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/03/star-citizen-faces-major-server-outage-still-isnt-close-to-launch/)** > > RSI apologizes for "super rough start" to "persistent universe" alpha update. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2023, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/908 "2023-03-17T11:46:34Z")
> [@Raza](#): > > Their “biggest update yet!” has apparently stirred enough interest to crash the servers. But don’t worry, the ability for multiple people to sign in at once is a feature that they’re planning on adding any time now. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2023, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/909 "2023-03-17T15:15:06Z")
> [@Raza](#): > > Their “biggest update yet!” has apparently stirred enough interest to crash the servers. Apparently the video gaming journalism world is STILL licking the boots of developers. This article is just appalling in its refusal to tell the truth or call out what’s happening, and in the way it’s massaging the facts to make this fiasco seem okay. I loved this line: “Unfortunately, the _Star Citizen_ servers were not up for the high volume of interest in the update from many of the 4.4 million backers who have funded the game so far.” “Many” is doing some heeeeeavy lifting there. Does anyone really believe the number of people who tried to log on was a significant portion of four million? Here’s a much likelier scenario; it was a REALLY small percentage of that because only hard core, deluded whales are holding out hope. 100,000 users is a very high estimate. RSI’s servers failed because they’re used to a tenth that many people trying it at peak times, and they long ago stopped improving server capacity. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2023, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/910 "2023-03-17T15:28:18Z")
Increasing server capacity costs money, and RSI is in the business of taking money, not spending it. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2023, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/911 "2023-03-17T15:29:24Z")
I was just thinking the same thing… ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/912 "2023-03-18T07:33:30Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > This article is just appalling in its refusal to tell the truth or call out what’s happening, and in the way it’s massaging the facts to make this fiasco seem okay. I agree, but it takes a brave publisher with deep pockets to take on an organisation that probably has the money to sue for anything that might come close to libel. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/913 "2023-03-18T08:41:55Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > I agree, but it takes a brave publisher with deep pockets to take on an organisation that probably has the money to sue for anything that might come close to libel. Won’t a libel suit require the plaintiff to disclose information? I’m not sure RSI wants the public to know about their work, or lack thereof. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/914 "2023-03-18T12:52:50Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > This article is just appalling in its refusal to tell the truth or call out what’s happening, and in the way it’s massaging the facts to make this fiasco seem okay. Is it? It’s pretty tongue-in-cheek. The caption on the image they chose to use says, “This image is from a _Star Citizen_ trailer that’s now over a decade old!” Also stuff like: > Well, after rolling out a new development roadmap back in 2020 (no, that’s not a typo), RSI scaled back the specificity of its feature release date targets last year. I don’t think they’re trying to polish any turds, and they’re definitely not trying to appeal to their particular audience. The community comments for the article are firmly negative about the game. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/915 "2023-03-18T20:52:08Z")
I’m okay with articles getting snarky about Scam Citizen. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/916 "2023-03-28T11:16:12Z")
The most interesting part of that article is the quote from Star Citizen Number One, at the end: > [@Grand Poohbah Chris Roberts](#): > > _Star Citizen_ isn’t a sprint; it isn’t even a marathon," RSI founder Chris Roberts [said way back in 2015](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/07/star-citizen-creator-calls-bullshit-on-feature-creep-and-over-ambition/), while denying accusations that “feature creep” was slowing the game’s path toward a final release. “There is no final finish line the way you would have with a traditional retail game. _Star Citizen_ is a way of life for as long as the community is engaged by it.” Is this Roberts finally, obliquely, admitting that RSI is never going to release a finished version of _Star Citizen_? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/917 "2023-03-28T14:38:33Z")
[Everything is a personal goal for Roberts, not a promise.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/563) ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/918 "2023-03-28T15:28:11Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Is this Roberts finally, obliquely, admitting that RSI is never going to release a finished version of _Star Citizen_? “Finally” is not how I’d describe 2015. It sounds like he’s accurately describing this hot mess of a lifestyle. If I ever teach a course about the sunken cost fallacy, Star Citizen is going to be a phenomenal example. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/919 "2023-03-28T21:25:36Z")
For perspective, **this thread** was started in 2015, and the game was already a joke for being probably vaporware. But sure, it’s evidence that he’s never had any particular intention of releasing an actual game. He’s always known that the business model would be exchanging dreams for dollars. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528/920 "2023-07-14T15:15:39Z")
[The cost keeps sinking, sinking, sinking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunk_cost) into the future. > **[Star Citizen Closes In On $600 Million In Crowdfunding](https://exputer.com/news/games/star-citizen-closes-600-million/)** > > Star Citizen nears $600 million in community-raised funds for a game well over a decade in development with no release date in sight. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528.md?page=45) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-it-was-free-to-play-this-week-edit-no-longer-free/734528.md?page=47)