The space MMO Star Citizen might be in trouble. Derek Smart, developer of the Battlecruiser series, claims to have learned something along those lines, and furthermore, two producers and other employees have left the company.
If Star Citizen turns out the way designer legend Chris Roberts envisions, then fans of space games can expect a dream come true. In late 2012, Roberts launched a crowdfunding campaign for a spiritual successor to the cult series Wing Commander. So far, nearly 85 million US dollars have been raised. Star Citizen essentially consists of two parts: a single-player series titled “Squadron 42,” where you fly exciting missions and experience a story just like in the earlier Wing Commander games.
The other part resembles an MMO. You create a pilot and explore the vast, persistent universe as a trader, adventurer, mercenary, pirate, or smuggler – similar to Elite: Dangerous. Since the concept was so well received, it has been continuously expanded. Ground battles have now also been announced, where you will run through space stations or ships and engage in intense combat, like in a shooter.
Houston, we have a problem!
The concept of Star Citizen sounds very ambitious. Too ambitious, according to Derek Smart, who made a name for himself about 15 years ago with the space series Battlecruiser. Smart explains that he was informed by an insider that the developers of Star Citizen had to put the shooter aspect of the game on hold. And indeed, the shooter test module was recently delayed indefinitely.
Without disrespect to anyone, I’m just going to say it: it is my opinion that, this game, as has been pitched, will never get made. Ever.
According to Derek Smart, the game is far too ambitious and too large and cannot be realized even with the 85 million dollars raised through crowdfunding. There is no developer or publisher in the world who could bring such a game to fruition with a budget of under 150 million dollars.
Therefore, according to Derek Smart, Star Citizen will not appear as announced and showcased in videos. He even goes further, stating that today’s vision of Star Citizen would technically surpass GTA5 and Halo. As a reminder: The budget of GTA5 was over 250 million dollars.
The original vision which I backed in 2012? Yes, that was totally doable. This new vision? Not a chance.
The technical scope of this game surpasses GTAV, not to mention the likes of Halo.
Do you have any idea what those games cost to make and how long they took?
Do you know how many games which cost $50 million to make took almost five years to release? And they were nowhere in scope as Star Citizen?
That the developers might actually be struggling is underscored by the fact that both the executive and senior producers have left the company. Additionally, it is reported that the community manager and a concept artist have also departed. On the other hand, it was recently announced that a new studio is being established in Frankfurt, which will handle some aspects of Star Citizen.
It is therefore a somewhat opaque situation. It would not be surprising if a game as ambitious as Star Citizen has encountered some issues that they now need to solve somehow. That personnel changes occur repeatedly is also nothing unusual in the industry. One must now wait to see how the situation around the space game develops. Perhaps studio head Chris Roberts will speak out soon and clarify the situation.
Anyone who wants to read Derek Smart’s very extensive article can do so on his blog: dereksmart.org. He also advises players against investing money in this vision that will never materialize:
stop buying virtual items for a goddamn game you don’t have.
