RSI/CIG is running out of money fast.
They were shopping around SQ42 to Microsoft last year (which is why their CitCon was like a shareholders meeting last year, and this year was all about carrot on a stick). Ya throw in the major prices changes in game for ships, and minor but noteworthy prices changes of ships in their
pledge store, also with 2 major money grabs they have done this year. First being the ATLS Cargo Loader (it's the loader from Aliens) that is pretty much essential to the cargo loop gameplay that was way overpriced and due to the blowback was immediately added to the in game stores that has 1 function to move big cargo quick and fast (after they were going to nerf all other tractor beams useable by the player in game), and they allowed people to buy access to Pryo (the next system in the game) by buying their high end monthly subscription. (Typically this goes through waves.
Ya take a look at all the crap that is wasted money around their offices (and the lifesized sculpture of a ship that was shown at CitCon this year) and you'd swear You're looking at the UK Mirror Image of Ion Studios.

Last year at CitCon he said that Squadron 42 was in it's polish phase, and this year said it would be out in 2026. No game goes from "beta" to retail in 2 years for polish unless shit is seriously fucked up.