Chris Roberts, head of Cloud Imperium Games, has addressed the criticism regarding the long development time of the space online game Star Citizen. He explains that the game is truly meant to be released and represents his lifelong dream.
What is the situation surrounding Star Citizen? The space online game was successfully funded via a Kickstarter campaign in 2012. The game is intended to be a mix of the classic Wing Commander and a persistent online world where players can follow their own paths – similar to the space games Privateer or Freelancer – but interact with each other online.
This game concept was received so well that further crowdfunding – primarily through the sale of in-game spaceships – has generated over 313 million dollars in revenue.
However, the development of the game is dragging on. During the Kickstarter campaign, it was stated that Star Citizen would be released at the end of 2014. Now, it is fall 2020 and the title is still in the alpha phase. As a result, the game has already gained a reputation for possibly never being released.
There Should Be No Compromises with Star Citizen
What does the head say about this? Chris Roberts, founder of the development studio Cloud Imperium Games, has now addressed this criticism about the long development time.
I understand that some are frustrated. However, you are looking at the project from the outside without fully understanding what it takes and the order we have chosen to create the gameplay that Star Citizen prioritizes above all else.
Chris Roberts, CEO Cloud Imperium Games
Roberts explains that this is his absolute dream project:
This is the game I have dreamed of my whole life. Now I am finally in a position to implement it. I am not willing to make compromises that would undermine its potential, just because it takes longer than originally thought.
Chris Roberts, CEO Cloud Imperium Games
When is the game coming out? Chris Roberts even talked about when we might expect the release. Although he once again makes a somewhat vague statement here.
I promise you, the gameplay is not a pipe dream and it will not take 10 or 20 years to implement. I cannot give you a specific quarter in which everything comes together, but with the new roadmap, you will see that the teams are making progress to reach the goal.
Chris Roberts, CEO Cloud Imperium Games
This is why it takes longer: Chris Roberts explains that he wants to give the teams as much time as needed to perfectly implement the individual parts of the game.
Management does not set deadlines. We only set priorities for the teams. There is always much more work to do than we have employees.
Chris Roberts, CEO Cloud Imperium Games
What about Squadron 42? Chris Roberts also briefly commented on the single-player offshoot Squadron 42, which has also been in the works for a long time.
Squadron 42 will only be released when we have achieved our final and optimized creative vision.
Chris Roberts, CEO Cloud Imperium Games
This means that we simply have to be patient, as Chris Roberts wants to implement his vision for Star Citizen – and Squadron 42 – exactly as he envisions the game and will not make compromises, even if the development takes a long time.
Do you still have patience regarding Star Citizen? Can you understand Chris Roberts’ arguments?
Why do players patiently wait for Star Citizen even after all these years? We asked 8 fans for their reasons.
