Star Citizen Nears $900M in Funding—Still Stuck in Alpha with No Release Date

Star Citizen has passed $885 million in total funding, according to Cloud Imperium Games’ own tracker.

It is one of the largest crowdfunded projects ever made. Yet, more than a decade after development began, the game is still only available as an alpha build and still has no confirmed release timeline.

The studio’s founder, Chris Roberts, has spoken many times about the future of the project. But he has avoided giving even a rough launch window. That approach has frustrated many long-time backers, especially as the funding numbers keep climbing.

Star Citizen started in 2012 as a traditional crowdfunding campaign. Over the years, it has shifted into a continuous funding model. Today, most of its revenue comes from paid access to the alpha version, monthly subscriptions, merchandise, and high-priced digital ships. CIG still labels these purchases as “pledges,” emphasizing that money goes directly toward development.

CIG has delivered ongoing updates to the alpha. The major 4.0 update, released in late 2024, added server meshing, a key technology meant to let players move smoothly across large areas.

Roberts previously said this was the last major hurdle before focusing on a “commercial” version of the game. In his words from March 2024, Star Citizen 1.0 would arrive when the game is “stable, polished, and welcoming to new players.”

But more than a year later, the game remains listed as alpha and early access. Roberts has also pushed back on claims that his goals are unrealistic. “I can promise you the gameplay I described is not a pipe dream,” he said in 2020. “Nor will it take 10 to 20 years to deliver.” Time has made that last line age poorly.

The project has faced many controversies. Critics have argued that CIG expanded the game far beyond reasonable limits. Others have questioned how the company manages its funds. Public disputes have broken out online, and some journalists and creators who reported on the project said they received harassment from angry fans.

One of the most vocal critics has been game developer Derek Smart, an early backer. In 2015, he said the project had grown too large to finish. CIG refunded him and closed his account. Smart later demanded financial transparency and a clear release plan through his attorneys. CIG rejected his claims and defended the project. Smart has continued criticizing Star Citizen ever since.

CIG has also introduced new money-making approaches over the years. In 2017, the studio began selling “land claim” items for a feature that did not yet exist. Players and press questioned whether this created pay-to-win problems. In 2018, the company tried placing CitizenCon behind a paid livestream, but reversed the decision after backlash. The removal of a currency cap also raised concerns about how far monetization would go.

Despite the scandals, lawsuits, and ongoing debates, one thing remains unchanged: after more than ten years of development and nearly $900 million from its community, Star Citizen still has no confirmed release date.

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