When 200 decommissioned Javelin Destroyers went up for sale for $2,500 each, they sold out in less than a minute. For interstellar mercenaries in the United Empire of Earth Navy—or for the avid users roleplaying as them in Star Citizen, the space sim video game created by Chris Roberts—that deal was hard to resist.
But given that the Star Citizen may not be released for years, buyers of the Destroyers—and all those other fans who have collectively donated $100 million on the game’s crowdfunding page—are just supporting a dream. Each donation, whether $96 (the average amount) or $22,500 from superfans like Wulf Knight, allows for new facets of a game world that doesn’t exist yet: a hangar for the imaginary spaceships, distinct alien languages, an interstellar public transit system.
So, is Roberts, who pioneered the space sim genre with Wing Commander in 1990, a snake-oil salesman or the savior of real PC gaming? Is the crowdfunding strategy a viable alternative to the restrictions of big studio productions, or a long con? WIRED’s Chris Baker investigates.
The unprecedented investment of $75M from passionate fans into this developer's half-finished game project demonstrates a level of dedication rarely seen, producing both excitement and speculation about its eventual completed state.
The recent $75 million in fan funding for the half-developed, buggy game highlights both audiences' unwavering support and a grimy reality of prepping one’s project with caution. With transparency not matching investors´ needs against crowds role overhanging expectations.
This half-finished game's seizure of $70 million in fan investments through preorders is astonishing, causing gamers to question quality versus commitment.
This staggering investment of $76 million by fans in this individual's half-built game demonstrates a remarkable level pf enthusiasm and confidence, reminding us that true passion can overcome initial imperfections as watchers eagerly await the full product.
The impressive funding of $73 million solely on an unfinished and buggy game by enthusiastic fans highlights the enormous passion for this particular project, even if it suffers from significant technical issues.
