Star Citizen Development Developments

Saying 2025 brings "A Focus on Playability," a new Letter From The Chairman on the Roberts Space Industries Website has the latest on Star Citizen/Squadron 42 from Crowd Imperium's Chris "The Chairman" (?) Roberts. This discusses the new Alpha 4.0 Preview release adding Jump Point travel and server meshing, paying off on a tease from 2019, suggesting COVID contributed to how long it took for this leap. But word is two versions of the game are now live, which differs from the game's usual PTU process. This will allow player progress to carry over to the live game from the 4.0 branch with no planned wipes, though no release date is yet in sight with development well into its second decade. The post concludes praising backers because: "Star Citizen and Squadron 42 are two games that would never have been greenlit by any of the big publishers." This conveniently ignores that feature creep only arrived along with piles of cash and the original 2012 crowdfunding pitch for Star Citizen was for a straightforward space shooter that would take a couple of years to develop. Here's word on this new effort at balancing stability while testing new features:
The sentiment many of you have shared—and one we wholeheartedly agree with—is that if the current game, as it stands today, ran smoothly with fewer obstacles and bugs, it would provide an unparalleled experience. Over the years, we have experimented with different approaches to improve quality of life (QoL) and tackling tech debt. However, the ongoing challenge has been balancing these efforts alongside the introduction of new features and technology.

Too often, testing new features within the same pipeline as content has led to unintended ripple effects—creating instability, hindering performance, and impacting overall gameplay. In some cases, new features that are not fully mature have delayed the release of content or caused blockers that impact our progress. This has prompted us to reevaluate our approach to feature and content rollout, focusing on steps we can take to bring the game to a better state while maintaining steady delivery.
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26.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 14, 2025, 12:37
26.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 14, 2025, 12:37
Jan 14, 2025, 12:37
 
Sho wrote on Jan 11, 2025, 16:57:
Kxmode wrote on Jan 11, 2025, 15:35:
The issue with Chris Roberts is that his vision for Star Citizen has always lacked focus. It's hard to trust someone who can't commit to a clear plan or claims they need specific resources to achieve their vision, only to pivot to something completely different once they get those resources. What makes it even worse is when he shifts the blame onto the people financially backing the project—many of whom aren't professional investors and can be easily swayed by flashy, over-the-top videos and lofty promises.

Yes, this is the take I agree with.

But what I do mind is that the world building seems cookie-cutter and bland and generic, the gameplay doesn't really have any signature ideas, the writing in the handful of cutscenes they keep showing feels somewhat dated and goofy, etc. It just doesn't feel like there's any particular artistic or narrative vision. All of that feels stuck in the "we'll make you a 90s space game" original proposal tier, and didn't scale with the rest.
I agree with you that from the trailers I've seen with the oh-so-dramatic cinematics, it looks too full of itself, and I can't help but giggle and laugh at its seriousness. There's also some uncanny valley in the body and facial animations. I'm not taken with Gillian Anderson's performance.
Maybe the space dogfighting gameplay will be decent, but all we need is for some AA or Indie dev to come along with something similar to take all the wind out of SQ42's sails. If the game ever even releases.
25.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 13, 2025, 19:05
25.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 13, 2025, 19:05
Jan 13, 2025, 19:05
 
Xero wrote on Jan 13, 2025, 12:00:
VaranDragon wrote on Jan 13, 2025, 08:55:
Kxmode wrote on Jan 11, 2025, 15:35:
The issue with Chris Roberts is that his vision for Star Citizen has always lacked focus.

No. The issue with Chris Roberts is that he is a lying sack of shit. That's it. Don't sugarcoat it, don't pretend it's anything other than what it is.

It's cause he knows his audience. When you have folks who are blinded by the big picture, you can sell them whatever and they'll bite. If he can continue with the false promises and the money flow doesn't stop, why would he stop? He must be smiling all the way to the bank with how well this scheme has worked. He's provided "something" to the backers which I guess would clear him of any illegal action if he were taken to court. The fact that folks provided $$$ and they gave something in return is enough to probably say, hey, we gave what we said we would at the time. The rest of our future plans were in writing that they may or may not come to fruition. I'm sure it's all in the T&A that nobody read.

There are internet spaceships Chris sold over a decade ago that have not yet been delivered... that could be a legal problem if he called quits tomorrow and claimed he had delivered.
24.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 13, 2025, 12:00
24.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 13, 2025, 12:00
Jan 13, 2025, 12:00
 
VaranDragon wrote on Jan 13, 2025, 08:55:
Kxmode wrote on Jan 11, 2025, 15:35:
The issue with Chris Roberts is that his vision for Star Citizen has always lacked focus.

No. The issue with Chris Roberts is that he is a lying sack of shit. That's it. Don't sugarcoat it, don't pretend it's anything other than what it is.

It's cause he knows his audience. When you have folks who are blinded by the big picture, you can sell them whatever and they'll bite. If he can continue with the false promises and the money flow doesn't stop, why would he stop? He must be smiling all the way to the bank with how well this scheme has worked. He's provided "something" to the backers which I guess would clear him of any illegal action if he were taken to court. The fact that folks provided $$$ and they gave something in return is enough to probably say, hey, we gave what we said we would at the time. The rest of our future plans were in writing that they may or may not come to fruition. I'm sure it's all in the T&A that nobody read.
Avatar 16605
23.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 13, 2025, 08:55
23.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 13, 2025, 08:55
Jan 13, 2025, 08:55
 
Kxmode wrote on Jan 11, 2025, 15:35:
The issue with Chris Roberts is that his vision for Star Citizen has always lacked focus.

No. The issue with Chris Roberts is that he is a lying sack of shit. That's it. Don't sugarcoat it, don't pretend it's anything other than what it is.
Avatar 58327
22.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 13, 2025, 05:36
22.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 13, 2025, 05:36
Jan 13, 2025, 05:36
 
I backed the game for $35 back in 2012, just wanting a Freelancer sequel...

Would be funny if Microsoft, who owns the Freelancer IP, would beat Chris to the punch with a Freelancer 2 game.
Avatar 57770
21.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 12, 2025, 22:47
21.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 12, 2025, 22:47
Jan 12, 2025, 22:47
 
"This has prompted us to reevaluate our approach to feature and content rollout, focusing on steps we can take to bring the game to a better state keep obfuscating the lack of progress while maintaining steady delivery of money to our pockets. "
Avatar 58799
20.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 12, 2025, 17:31
20.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 12, 2025, 17:31
Jan 12, 2025, 17:31
 
Shane Broussard wrote on Jan 12, 2025, 16:07:
People wanted just a good, space combat simulator.

The crowd funding turned it into a Ponzi scheme.


That was one of the sketch goals.
Avatar 14675
19.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 12, 2025, 16:07
19.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 12, 2025, 16:07
Jan 12, 2025, 16:07
 
Jeez.

People wanted just a good, space combat simulator.

The crowd funding turned it into a Ponzi scheme.

Scam Citizen.
18.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 12, 2025, 13:26
18.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 12, 2025, 13:26
Jan 12, 2025, 13:26
 
"This has prompted us to reevaluate our approach to feature and content rollout, focusing on steps we can take to bring the game to a better state while maintaining steady delivery."

SMDH. So after ~12 years, you are going to reevaluate your approach. Yeah, right. What an absolute shit show...only Chris could pull this scam off for so long. Not that I care one bit about the game. I guess it's nice to give developers and such jobs, at least...
17.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 12, 2025, 12:50
17.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 12, 2025, 12:50
Jan 12, 2025, 12:50
 
Well it's nice that after a decade they now have 'a focus on playability'. /sarcasm off

On a depressing note, all the AAA actors that starred in the campaign of this shitshow, may be dead of old age by the time it's final, if ever.
"I want AI to do my laundry and dishes so that I can do art and writing, not for AI to do my art and writing so that I can do my laundry and dishes."
- Joanna Maciejewska
Avatar 22380
16.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 12, 2025, 12:09
El Pit
 
16.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 12, 2025, 12:09
Jan 12, 2025, 12:09
 El Pit
 
munkus wrote on Jan 12, 2025, 11:06:
My great grandkids are probably going to love this game when it comes out. (I'm 40 )
By then, they will just tell the AI which game they want to play and the AI generates the whole game for them. And this is where the bought JPEGs become important, because the AI will use those JPEGs to construct those ships on the fly ingame.
In the current political and social climate, don't be an aggressive monkey . Show that you have evolved that important thin sugar coating called civilization. Don't fall for the fools.
15.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 12, 2025, 11:06
15.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 12, 2025, 11:06
Jan 12, 2025, 11:06
 
My great grandkids are probably going to love this game when it comes out. (I'm 40 )
14.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 12, 2025, 02:45
14.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 12, 2025, 02:45
Jan 12, 2025, 02:45
 
FrostyRei wrote on Jan 12, 2025, 01:57:
It's been a scam from the start. Nothing takes this long to go Gold unless the team is tiny, or the Devs are greedy as hell. People buying into this are clearly living on a fantasy while the Devs live in luxury with your cash money. Crap game.

How can you call it a scam when the single player part is staring Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, Gillian Anderson, Mark Strong and Sandy Gardiner?

That's a triple A cast all the way through.


* I think Chris is waiting for some of them to die before release it to boost sales *

My money is on an announcement that Chris and Sandy's now grown daughter that Sandy lives her acting dream through will be in the game now.
13.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 12, 2025, 01:57
13.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 12, 2025, 01:57
Jan 12, 2025, 01:57
 
It's been a scam from the start. Nothing takes this long to go Gold unless the team is tiny, or the Devs are greedy as hell. People buying into this are clearly living on a fantasy while the Devs live in luxury with your cash money. Crap game.
12.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 11, 2025, 21:50
12.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 11, 2025, 21:50
Jan 11, 2025, 21:50
 
I've been saying it before and I'll say it again. These dudes got kids to put through college. All this funding is for "outside" the studio projects. Not to mention retirement, lol. You'll all get your game, when these guys are ready to call it the quits and got everything they need outside of development paid for, lol.
Chris The Trump Conman Roberts.
Avatar 16605
11.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 11, 2025, 19:15
11.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 11, 2025, 19:15
Jan 11, 2025, 19:15
 
RogueSix wrote on Jan 11, 2025, 18:57:
Original backer here. I haven't checked into SC for quite a while prior to the recently released 4.0 alpha preview. It must have been... hmmm... at least three-ish(?) years maybe since my last login (to the game, not account).

I was mildly shocked to find out that everything still feels exactly as flunky as cuck as it did when I last logged in. It still feels just as unpolished and shitty as ever, including the ever present performance issues (everything dialed to max/ultra) on an AMD 9800X3D, 64GB RAM and RTX 4090 rig with the "game" installed on a Samsung 990 Pro.

The controls are complete garbage. I can't believe they have really stuck with that weird ass mobiglass bullshit through the whole decade+ since it was first introduced. That crap concept should have been overhauled/dumped years ago since it only adds unnecessary clunk.

Everything is an unfinished shitshow and it really makes you wonder where -except for ship JPEG sales commercials and up Chris' nose- the $700 million budget went. WTF?!? The current "result" is not even remotely worthy of the budget and man years (everything combined, we must be talking millennia by now) thrown at this clusterfuck.

The gfx might be somewhat pretty if you can ignore the constant graphical glitches/bugs and the shitty performance but that's about it.

Squadron 42 must be in a similar place since the reason for the S42 holdup they have always given is synchronization between Star Citizen and Squadron 42. If they release S42 in this state then CIG will be the laughing stock of the century and it will serve as an endless source for memes.
And if they don't release S42 then they will be the laughing stock anyway since it will be the third time after announcing 2014, then 2016 that they miss their own announced release year (they only missed 2016 by nine years and 2014 by over a decade... no big deal if they add another decade, right?).
It's been several years but you confirmed what I expected if I did the same. Thank you for your sacrifice.
Avatar 60307
10.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 11, 2025, 18:57
10.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 11, 2025, 18:57
Jan 11, 2025, 18:57
 
Original backer here. I haven't checked into SC for quite a while prior to the recently released 4.0 alpha preview. It must have been... hmmm... at least three-ish(?) years maybe since my last login (to the game, not account).

I was mildly shocked to find out that everything still feels exactly as flunky as cuck as it did when I last logged in. It still feels just as unpolished and shitty as ever, including the ever present performance issues (everything dialed to max/ultra) on an AMD 9800X3D, 64GB RAM and RTX 4090 rig with the "game" installed on a Samsung 990 Pro.

The controls are complete garbage. I can't believe they have really stuck with that weird ass mobiglass bullshit through the whole decade+ since it was first introduced. That crap concept should have been overhauled/dumped years ago since it only adds unnecessary clunk.

Everything is an unfinished shitshow and it really makes you wonder where -except for ship JPEG sales commercials and up Chris' nose- the $700 million budget went. WTF?!? The current "result" is not even remotely worthy of the budget and man years (everything combined, we must be talking millennia by now) thrown at this clusterfuck.

The gfx might be somewhat pretty if you can ignore the constant graphical glitches/bugs and the shitty performance but that's about it.

Squadron 42 must be in a similar place since the reason for the S42 holdup they have always given is synchronization between Star Citizen and Squadron 42. If they release S42 in this state then CIG will be the laughing stock of the century and it will serve as an endless source for memes.
And if they don't release S42 then they will be the laughing stock anyway since it will be the third time after announcing 2014, then 2016 that they miss their own announced release year (they only missed 2016 by nine years and 2014 by over a decade... no big deal if they add another decade, right?).
-=Threadcrappeur Extraordinaire=-
9.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 11, 2025, 16:57
Sho
 
9.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 11, 2025, 16:57
Jan 11, 2025, 16:57
 Sho
 
Kxmode wrote on Jan 11, 2025, 15:35:
The issue with Chris Roberts is that his vision for Star Citizen has always lacked focus. It's hard to trust someone who can't commit to a clear plan or claims they need specific resources to achieve their vision, only to pivot to something completely different once they get those resources. What makes it even worse is when he shifts the blame onto the people financially backing the project—many of whom aren't professional investors and can be easily swayed by flashy, over-the-top videos and lofty promises.

Yes, this is the take I agree with.

I don't mind the scope creep necessarily, I don't mind making mistakes and a meandering development cycle, I don't mind the high budget, I don't even mind the funding approach.

But what I do mind is that the world building seems cookie-cutter and bland and generic, the gameplay doesn't really have any signature ideas, the writing in the handful of cutscenes they keep showing feels somewhat dated and goofy, etc. It just doesn't feel like there's any particular artistic or narrative vision. All of that feels stuck in the "we'll make you a 90s space game" original proposal tier, and didn't scale with the rest.

The closest thing the game has to an identity is that strong lean towards being integrated sim-heavy and systems-driven, I guess similar to what set Ultima Online apart in a way. I do like that, I still think it's interesting to watch from afar at this time. But I wish I was more excited about their universe.
8.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 11, 2025, 16:02
8.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 11, 2025, 16:02
Jan 11, 2025, 16:02
 
So 10yrs into development they figured out actually making it more then a pretty tech demo is a good idea? With breakthroughs like this, at this pace, no doubt it'll be shipping in 2040ish.
7.
 
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments
Jan 11, 2025, 15:52
7.
Re: Star Citizen Development Developments Jan 11, 2025, 15:52
Jan 11, 2025, 15:52
 
RedEye9 wrote on Jan 11, 2025, 14:54:
Steele Johnson wrote on Jan 11, 2025, 14:19:
Playing the covid card
Next year they'll blame the Woke DEI, and the year after that they'll say Climate Change was the reason.

The only way this game will ever be finished is if they can crowd fund 1 Billion Dollars.
That's not how you spell Trillion.
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