Star Citizen

The horse is BACK!

But it does sum it up quite simple to what the problems are and how it could have fixed them.

The future doesn't seem to bright by the look of it.

 

Could have gone either way with a publisher. As their own examples show, we could have ended up with a rushed out unfinished piece of crap and what's the value in that? With any luck having to get a 46M bailout is the wakeup call they needed.

Some former devs went with a publisher for their Descent game. It didn't work out so well.

https://www.reddit.com/r/starcitize...ever_trust_publishers_descent_studio_wingman/

 

There is no publisher in the world that would have touched Star Citizen with the scope they had early on.

I also doubt today that there is any publisher that understands Star Citizen and its current and potential player base enough that they wouldn't ruin the game.


We also don't really need to go looking around to see how bad publishers are for gaming, its everywhere you look.

At least this way there is nobody to blame but Chris Roberts if its bad.

 

Why exactly does the future not seem bright?

Because youtubers regurgitated the same old stuff again?

 

The difference this time is they are suggesting a publisher needs to take over to apply better fiscal management and pressure to finish the game instead of expanding it, before all the money runs out.
Although it's a bit late now, the horse has already bolted with feature creep. I don't think anyone would take on that kind of risk now.

Of course all the kool-aid types are screaming "you can't rush a masterpiece", "Chris knows what he's doing", etc, etc... burning through $40M a year in costs.

 

I would argue that this is the best time a publisher could take it on. I can only imagine the early days with Chris Roberts fighting with a publisher combined with the fact that it was a successful kickstarter based on huge promises that he made, but the publisher might disagree with.

All of Chris Robert's crazy dreams are somewhat implemented or in the process, so its unlikely there are many surprises in terms of what Chris wants, and what the engine and developers can actually do.

I would also say that there is a lot of potential money to unlock for their income strategy after release, monthly fees, micro transactions, paid ships, all possible with a publisher as Chris Roberts said they wouldn't have paid ships or monthly fees but its easy to shift the blame with a publisher.

 

8-9 years on and we still "processing" it. Nothing wrong here, I'm sure the game be done soon.

 

So basically the same stuff we’ve been hearing for years already. 90 days, tops.

 

In other words, the three things gamers hate most. Wow, what a great game.

 

Monthly fees have never been discussed as a revenue option after release.

 

Exactly.

Not sure if I wasn't clear (its a quote out of context), I was specifically mentioning that a publisher would likely suggest this.

 

According to the Wiki FAQ:
https://starcitizen.fandom.com/wiki/Frequently_Asked_Questions

Is Star Citizen “Free to play”? A subscription game?
To play Star Citizen you need only to buy the initial game. There will never be a monthly charge for usage.

 

I can't believe I'm going to side with Bart but he said fairly clearly that subscriptions would be a possible outcome IF a publisher were to take over.

 

I know, just that all the hardcore backers have said it will never happen for years and still do.
The Forums and Reddit are full of similar responses.

 

So who said it's going to happen!?

 

Maybe the hardcore fanbabies say that but as far as I'm concerned, any business model that maintains viability is fair game. Then again, I've had a development subscription since it was offered.

 

Just as I foretold, they are selling optional premium upgrades for ships in store now like a car, for real money..

The new Origin 300 costs $55 USD (~$87 inc GST), but fully optioned with premium paint/weapons/bedding/colours/seats/steering yokes/coffee machine/sound system etc it jumps to $97 USD... (~$154 AUD inc GST)

Yes that right premium paint, carbon fibre, coffee machine & premium sound systems, etc range from $1-$24 USD options.

The select page looks a lot like Tesla's..

 

Wait wait wait.......You weren't taking the piss with the coffee machine bit?!

 

Nope.



The 350r ranges from $125 USD base price - fully premium optioned jumps to $152 USD ($240 AUD inc GST)
More ways to get money out of backers..

 

Looks like we found the monetisation method for Star Citizen.

If the game is good then they will have a decent income for the game.

I'm guessing there is more to come.

Which is good in my opinion.

What I don't like is knowing its probably not practical to earn these in game.