Thread by @dsmart

3 yrs ago today, I published a blog, Interstellar Citizens, about Star Citizen. It detailed why I felt that Chris Roberts having greatly increased the scope of the game, guaranteed that it could NEVER be made.

dereksmart.com/2015/07/inters…

At the time, I had slight hope that with a capable team, a robust custom engine, and no less than $150M, that they could possibly pull it off.

They had $85M at the time.

So far, they still haven't completed even 18% of what was promised in 2012.

starcitizentracker.github.io

In the 3 yrs since, they have not only raised an additional $105M via increased scope and promises, but they also switched engines, key people have left etc.

They also stopped issuing refunds backers past a 14 day period. Several are taking legal action

reddit.com/r/starcitizen_…

During all that, they somehow managed to get sued by CryTek, got the attention of the Feds, a growing number of seasoned vets are leaving the project - and in some cases being replaced by cheaper and inexperienced devs used as filler.

Recently, a critical lead & designer of the game's physics & flight dynamics model - a key component of the game - exited the project. He is being replaced by a jnr dev with zero experience in the field.

Last month, other departures include Jon Jones who was the had of the Derby studio that is rumored to be closing under the pretext of having completed their work on the game's facial technologies.

Sources are telling me that other departures are already underway, even as CIG tries (and fails) to replace key positions on the project, while claiming (falsely) that 500 people are working on the project.

Chris also recently confirmed what sources told me Summer 2017. That being, Squadron 42, the much hyped single player successor to Wing Commander, is not going to be released in 2018.

Sources continue to insist that work on that game have stalled due to insurmountable issues

At this point, with multiple lawsuits already underway against the makers of the project, even as major developments continue to play out in the background, most backers have already come to the conclusion that the project they backed is basically dying a slow death.

Amid on-going tech issues, as of the latest 3.2 build, they have now started disabling features & tech, in a bid to make the game somewhat playable.

It's almost as if they didn't have the tech to power it.

Who knew?

Chris Roberts claimed he started working on the project in 2011. He went to crowd-funding in 2012. Which means we're now in year 7 - with no end in sight.

For more on the recent developments, read my latest article on this fiasco.

dereksmart.com/forums/reply/6…