Star Citizen: A Space Odyssey of Crowdfunding Success (and Challenges)?
Source: gameworldobserver.com
Imagine a sprawling, living universe, filled with your very own spaceship, customizable and ready to explore uncharted galaxies. That’s the dream, the promise, of Star Citizen, and a huge chunk of its journey has been written in the pages of crowdfunding history.
A Crowdfunding Epic
Star Citizen's journey began on Kickstarter, and that initial spark of interest sparked a fire that became one of the largest crowdfunding campaigns the world has ever seen.
Initial Buzz
- People were super excited about the visuals and the possibility of building their own starships.
- It promised players freedom, creating personal storylines and exploring unique universes.
What Exactly is Star Citizen?
Star Citizen is a space sim, but it is SO MUCH more. You are NOT just piloting a ship.
- You are a player building a character and a career
- You create connections and stories with other players (friends or strangers).
The Star Citizen Journey (a few facts)
Source: htmr.kr
Star Citizen first got rolling on Kickstarter in 2012, and people started chipping in. Let's look at the nuts and bolts.
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Why did people get hyped?
- Realistic spaceships, spaces and environment, really awesome visual designs!
- Amazing open world(?). This space is SO BIG!
- Free will? Control over personal characters.
- "Make it or Break it"- people have an immediate feel for the product they are supporting! So exciting!
Milestones and Milestones, What's Happening?
From its Kickstarter start to the ongoing production, what can we see?
Kickstarter Results – A Record Breaker (and More)
The final amounts raised through Kickstarter are in the range of several hundred million dollars, this is HUGE!. There are updates, lots of promises for the future(!!)
- Different expansion plans were announced. People waited for a good reason(?).
- New locations and planets were revealed(!). What are the possibilities(!!) ?
Gameplay Reviews – The People’s Perspective
You can easily find feedback about the game online; positive and negative comments, suggestions about what the game can be or what’s missing…lots of discussion in online groups or sites…
| Source | Review Comments/Personal Touch |
|---|---|
| Player Review A | “Absolutely immersive!" |
| Player Review B | "But it feels like I'm on a super slow rollercoaster. Too much stuff missing?" |
What's more important is to find reviews where players talk about personal connections!
Source: playerauctions.com
Challenges and Criticism
Is Star Citizen really all sunshine and spacey graphics, or are there problems along the way?
Development Delays
- People often talk about Star Citizen taking longer than promised for releases…but development isn’t easy(?).
- The game is huge (or complex!), and it takes time(!!).
Funding & Expectation
- It cost A LOT, but fans of games keep giving more!
Source: siliconangle.com
Is the Future Too Distant?
Many question how many times can be postponed…and how long players need to wait!
Personal Thoughts – What Does a Player Expect
You invest in a dream and see glimpses and excitement over some amazing possibilities(!!). Is this what happens(!!)? This journey is worth taking, for players! But when expectations are so big… What is our approach now for managing this journey!
- My own experience : When I first saw pictures, the level of realism (!!!), the game's promises, etc…I felt really hyped! Just…amazing(!!).
Is it Worth It?
Source: futurecdn.net
Should someone who wants a challenging and engaging gaming experience join this venture?
- The question is tricky (and tricky!). Each individual should have a great idea about whether it aligns with their gaming desires or needs and approach to space sim experience(!!).
Finding the Right Path
A space sim adventure depends heavily on its goals! Does the level of depth satisfy individual needs (?). For those looking to make their mark, build character stories, meet friends (and maybe explore space too!), this can be just right. The amount of options are… endless!!!. And this journey is certainly different from normal experiences!
The Long View
From early concepts to recent updates (or reviews of different players?), a long history with so much information(!!) gives this game a completely unique perspective…and a lot of hype!
A Final Word:
Star Citizen, with its monumental ambitions, raises questions: Is this truly one of humanity's largest endeavors, a vision held by all or something more difficult? As development continues and progress unfolds (or gets postponed or changes directions, that may happen!), we see just how much is promised by such a large project in a medium as important for all games- the digital universe!
