The dawn of 2025 has ushered in a familiar chorus from Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) CEO Chris Roberts, who has once again expressed optimism about the long-anticipated release of Star Citizen. He proclaimed that the company is ‘closer than ever to realizing a dream many have said is impossible,’ referring to the elusive version 1.0 of the game. However, as is customary, no timeline was provided for this milestone, leaving fans and critics alike to speculate on the future of the project.
As of now, CIG has achieved a remarkable feat, amassing over 2 million since its crowdfunding campaign began in 2012. This staggering amount highlights the unwavering support from backers, many of whom remain committed to the vision of a groundbreaking space MMO, while others observe with a mix of amusement and skepticism as some players invest tens of thousands of dollars in virtual spaceships.
Financial Momentum and Game Development
The financial momentum behind Star Citizen is noteworthy, with the game generating over 0 million annually since 2022. This trend shows little sign of abating, suggesting that the dedicated backers are firmly invested in the project, regardless of its current state. CIG has at least addressed the question of the game’s existence, having released version 4.0 of the alpha in December 2024. This update introduced a server meshing feature, allowing players to navigate seamlessly between different areas of the game world.
Despite these advancements, the alpha version, which has been in development for nearly a decade, remains far from feature-complete. CIG has promised that the final iteration of Star Citizen will include a comprehensive campaign, player bases, an EVE-style player-driven economy, various crafting systems, and numerous other features that are still in the pipeline.
Roberts has previously indicated that the implementation of server meshing was the last significant technological barrier to overcome. He stated that once this hurdle was cleared, the team would be on course for what they consider the ‘finish line’ of Star Citizen. This finish line, as defined by Roberts, represents a version of the game that is polished, stable, and engaging for new players, marking a transition away from its current alpha and early access status.
In March 2024, Roberts assured fans that the gameplay he envisioned was not merely a distant fantasy, promising that it would not take decades to materialize. Yet, as the year unfolds, Star Citizen continues to reside in its alpha phase, leaving many to wonder when, or if, the long-awaited commercial release will finally arrive.
