Star Citizen Nears $1B Despite No Release

Cloud Imperium Games’ ambitious space sim, Star Citizen, continues to defy expectations, reaching an astounding crowdfunding milestone despite its prolonged development.

Initially announced in 2012 via a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign that amassed nearly $40 million, Star Citizen promised a vast, multiplayer universe filled with interstellar trading and intense space combat.

Over a decade later, the game remains in its early access alpha phase, a stark contrast to the originally projected 2014 release. Yet, this hasn’t deterred a dedicated community from investing heavily in the project.

A Billion-Dollar Dream?

As of April 9th, Star Citizen’s crowdfunding total has surpassed $800 million, fueled by over 5.5 million contributors. This follows a previous milestone of $700 million achieved in May 2024.

This staggering figure solidifies Star Citizen as one of the most expensive video games ever created, remarkably without the backing of a traditional publisher.

Still No Launch Date in Sight

Despite the financial success, a definitive release date remains elusive. While the paid alpha has been accessible for years, the full vision of Star Citizen is yet to be realized in a 1.0 version.

The single-player component, Squadron 42, featuring stars like Mark Hamill, Gillian Anderson, and Gary Oldman, is tentatively slated for a 2026 launch. Gameplay footage was showcased at CitizenCon 2024, with developers aiming for next year.

However, Squadron 42, despite being declared “feature complete” in 2023, has also faced numerous delays, casting doubt on its 2026 arrival.

The project has faced criticism, with some backers requesting refunds. As Star Citizen approaches the $1 billion mark, the wait continues for gamers eager to explore its universe.