# 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:** 53
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 4:18pm 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/734528/1041 "2024-01-05T16:18:15Z")
There is zero chance they can do refunds, that money has been spent. ---
**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:** [January 5, 2024, 4:21pm 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/734528/1042 "2024-01-05T16:21:45Z")
Sure, but that’s not the situation here. Let’s say instead that there was a startup with a concept car and they were doing preorders on cars that didn’t even have a prototype yet, just artists’ renderings. The concept car in the artwork _looked_ like a Bugatti Chiron. But after years of development and setbacks, the final product as delivered was more like a Geo Metro. Were you scammed? No, you just foolishly bought something long before you should have. (Now, my first car was a used Geo Metro, and if you want to argue that it barely qualifies as a “car” then I might agree…) ---
**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:** [January 5, 2024, 4:49pm 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/734528/1043 "2024-01-05T16:49:51Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > There is zero chance they can do refunds, that money has been spent. And that would be another reason to not complete or abandon the project. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 5:03pm 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/734528/1044 "2024-01-05T17:03:23Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Which is also true if there is an announcement that the project is being abandoned. If they give up, the people who’ve bought all the imaginary ships have no recourse. There is no guarantee associated with any of this. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 5:07pm 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/734528/1045 "2024-01-05T17:07:23Z")
Incidentally, I am delighted and amused to report that the Roberts Space Industries website itself has a page on it now called “Star Citizen Is Not a Scam.” > **[Star Citizen is NOT A SCAM | ADDED VALUE GAMEPLAY and Why the ROAD MAP DELAYS?...](https://robertsspaceindustries.com/community-hub/post/star-citizen-is-not-a-scam-added-value-gameplay-and-why-the-road-map-delays-q043MVkJ21QIN)** > > Added Value Gameplay are ideas coming from gamers while the game is in development that get adopt... **If a business’s website has a whole page called “This Is Not a Scam,” it’s a scam.** ---
**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:** [January 5, 2024, 5:08pm 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/734528/1046 "2024-01-05T17:08:46Z")
The project doth protest too much, methinks. ---
**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:** [January 8, 2024, 10:31am 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/734528/1047 "2024-01-08T10:31:24Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Let’s say instead that there was a startup with a concept car and they were doing preorders on cars that didn’t even have a prototype yet, just artists’ renderings. The concept car in the artwork _looked_ like a Bugatti Chiron. But after years of development and setbacks, the final product as delivered was more like a Geo Metro. > > Were you scammed? No, you just foolishly bought something long before you should have. That’s assuming they’re working on a final product. If your business model is selling overpriced artwork, it makes no sense to waste money on actually developing a car, right? ---
**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:** [January 8, 2024, 2:54pm 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/734528/1048 "2024-01-08T14:54:23Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > If your business model is selling overpriced artwork, it makes no sense to waste money on actually developing a car, right? Sure, in which case there would be no car. But in this case there’s a game. A shitty and far from finished game, but still a game. [Companies who are actually in the business of creating vaporware](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_Entertainment) don’t put out a product, not even a shitty one. ---
**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:** [January 8, 2024, 3:05pm 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/734528/1049 "2024-01-08T15:05:53Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > [Companies who are actually in the business of creating vaporware](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_Entertainment) don’t put out a product, not even a shitty one. They also don’t raise half a billion dollars. _Star Citizen_ is Vaporware 2.0 - they’ll make just enough of a “Potemkin game” to look plausible for investors, but they’ll never invest the time, money and work needed to produce a completed product. Why would they? ---
**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:** [January 8, 2024, 3:16pm 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/734528/1050 "2024-01-08T15:16:55Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > _Star Citizen_ is Vaporware 2.0 - they’ll make just enough of a “Potemkin game” to look plausible for investors, but they’ll never invest the time, money and work needed to produce a completed product. Why would they? I agree. But the difference between that and Vaporware 1.0 is significant and necessary to point out. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2024, 2:43pm 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/734528/1051 "2024-01-09T14:43:33Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > money Speaking of which (from 2018): > [@Skywatcher](#): > > [CIG has removed almost all backer’s rights through their revisions to the TOS. This includes CIG’s obligation to be financially accountable to their backers, something that they explicitly promised during the project’s initial drive for funding](https://web.archive.org/web/20180715162017/https://hardocp.com/news/2018/07/15/star_citizen_backers_no_longer_able_to_get_refunds) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 2:57am 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/734528/1052 "2024-01-11T02:57:01Z")
If I pay a fuckton of money to participate in a game involving other people, and what I get is basically an alpha version of solitare, then I haven’t been given a whisper of the rightfully expected product. It’s like paying upfront for a dream house and getting the keys to an outhouse. ---
**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:** [January 11, 2024, 3:07am 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/734528/1053 "2024-01-11T03:07:52Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > It’s like paying upfront for a dream house and getting the keys to an outhouse. Yup, it’s pretty shitty. ---
**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:** [January 11, 2024, 3:23am 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/734528/1054 "2024-01-11T03:23:24Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > It’s like paying upfront for a dream house and getting the keys to an outhouse. At least somebody has plastered a bunch of really pretty concept art on the outhouse walls. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 5:18pm 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/734528/1055 "2024-01-11T17:18:07Z")
Satire is best when it seems close to the truth (this is not true but seems like it might be): > **[Star Citizen to Begin Offering Reverse Mortgages](https://hard-drive.net/hd/video-games/star-citizen-to-begin-offering-reverse-mortgages/)** > > Is a Star Citizen reverse mortgage right for you? Speak to one of their DLC Financial Advisors today! ---
**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:** [January 11, 2024, 5:37pm 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/734528/1056 "2024-01-11T17:37:36Z")
Very solid satire piece. It’s kind of interesting that CIG hasn’t (so far as I’m aware) adopted other predatory profit drivers like loot boxes and battle passes, though I suppose most of what they offer for sale is too big-ticket to offer in that sort of thing. Still, seems like they could make a bundle from palette swapped uniforms and ship paint jobs. Maybe they’re worried the shine will come off the experience for their whales if they’re allowed to spend smaller dollar values. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 5:47pm 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/734528/1057 "2024-01-11T17:47:51Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > It’s kind of interesting that CIG hasn’t (so far as I’m aware) adopted other predatory profit drivers like loot boxes and battle passes, though I suppose most of what they offer for sale is too big-ticket to offer in that sort of thing And more to the point, those specific revenue streams are dependent on having a game which actually exists. Maybe they can raise funds selling concept art and promissory notes for blind boxes and subscriptions. ---
**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:** [January 11, 2024, 5:50pm 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/734528/1058 "2024-01-11T17:50:58Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > those specific revenue streams are dependent on having a game which actually exists. There’s more than enough game\* to sell outfits and other cosmetics, if they decided to go that route. \*For specific and generous definitions of the word. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 6:18pm 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/734528/1059 "2024-01-11T18:18:08Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > There’s more than enough game\* to sell outfits and other cosmetics, if they decided to go that route. True but I think those models depend on lots of players. Many pennies can add up. I am not sure Star Citizen has those numbers. They don’t have the churn in the game to mint a few pennies every second. They rely on the relatively few whales. ---
**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:** [February 15, 2024, 8:45pm 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/734528/1060 "2024-02-15T20:45:07Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > How is this still possible? When sitting around in the company wondering how to make more money this is what they come up with? Could it be worse than we thought? > **[Star Citizen Introducing a $48,000 Ship Bundle, but Only for Players Who Have...](https://www.ign.com/articles/star-citizen-introducing-a-48000-ship-bundle-but-only-for-players-who-have-already-spent-10000)** > > Star Citizen developer Cloud Imperium Games is releasing a ship bundle for its controversial space simulator that costs an eye-watering $48,000. > Legatus 2953 pack seems to only be available to members at a certain tier of Star Citizen’s Chairman’s Club, one which requires spending $10,000 on other in-game items to achieve. NB: the previous article states that club membership starts at $1K but does not mention a specific tier requirement. [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=52) [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=54)