Star Citizen Delays Ship Upgrade Amidst Community Uproar

After a crowdfunding campaign that soared past $800 million, Star Citizen developer Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) has postponed the release of new ship upgrades following player backlash.

The controversy erupted over “flight blades,” upgrades designed to enhance ship speed and maneuverability. Initially, these upgrades were only available for purchase with real money, ranging from $9.60 to $42. This sparked outrage within the community, who viewed it as a blatant “pay-to-win” mechanic.

Players voiced their concerns on CIG’s forums, with many questioning the decision to restrict the upgrades to real-money purchases. Some even threatened to reconsider future purchases, such as the Greycat MTC, a planetary exploration vehicle.

CIG responded by delaying the release of flight blades until they could be acquired using the in-game currency, aUEC. “For future gameplay kit introductions, we’ll ensure these items are obtainable in-game on day one,” stated Community Director Tyler Witkin.

Witkin explained that the decision to initially offer flight blades for real money was due to the team’s busy development schedule, with 11 patches planned for the year. However, this explanation did little to quell the community’s concerns about CIG’s overall monetization strategy.

Despite the delay, some players remain critical, arguing that such components should not be sold for real money at all. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between the developers and the community regarding the game’s funding model.

As it stands, flight blades will be available for both purchase and in-game acquisition in June. The development of Star Citizen and its single-player counterpart, Squadron 42, continues, though release dates remain uncertain.