Long-time backers of the Star Citizen project are no longer able to secure refunds from Cloud Imperium Games, reports Attack of the Fanboy. They note a Reddit post from a customer who sued to get a refund and lost in small claims court (thanks RedEye9). Word is that CIG is now enforcing a change to the terms of service that was made around a year ago that permits them to refuse refunds requested more than 14 days after a pledge, which this court decision upheld. CIG has now collected almost $190 million in funding from over two million backers since 2011 for a project originally planned for a 2014 release, which helps explain why some have lost patience that this has evolved into two different games still in the alpha stage of development. Refunds and other topics are part of an incredible new tweet storm from Derek Smart, as the outspoken skeptic of this crowdfunded space game offers analysis and criticism of various aspects of the situation. Here's most of the Reddit post discussing the court decision:

In mediation, CIG/RSI would not agree to refund the portion of my account not covered by the arbitration agreement.

Though lawyers aren't permitted, CIG/RSI lawyers drafted and submitted statements that were permitted.

The judge declined to hear anything about the conscionability or lack of consideration in the TOS.

Despite the top sentence on the TOS, CIG/RSI successfully argued that the arbitration clause should be applied to transactions even before the clause existed.

CIG/RSI repeatedly argued that there is a playable game and that funds have been earned, but the judge did not rule that either.

Following application of arbitration clause to transactions outside covered dates, court orders matter to arbitration, case is dismissed without prejudice.