With no beta or release date, Star Citizen's Squadron 42 looks further away than ever

[Gezzer]

Star Citizen looks like it's gonna be the next Cyberpunk.

Actually, no it won't. I have to first disclose that I'm a backer. But putting that aside I have become a bit concerned over the pace of development. Part of the reason it's taking so long is the very reason they won't release another CP2077. They keep polishing and polishing an alpha to keep backers from getting upset over the current quality. Alpha's are glitchy by nature, but they can't afford to let backers experience this, so the constant polishing of releases to make them each like a mini-beta is eating time. All of this will add to SQ42 being a very smooth beta... when it arrives. Problem is it might be another 10 years at the pace of development. IMHO they need to start concentrating more on getting a complete game together first, and then worry about polishing/bug hunts. That's how other AAA titles are developed and it's much quicker then the manner SC/SQ42 is being developed in. But OTOH you do get a buggier release as well.

 

[Squid Surprise]

Actually, no it won't. I have to first disclose that I'm a backer. But putting that aside I have become a bit concerned over the pace of development.

Yeah... 10 years and still in Alpha would be a bit of a concern....

But again, as long as you're satisfied with what you have, then I suppose it's OK.

Chris Roberts is a perfectionist - you will almost certainly NEVER see a finished game - but as long as you're happy with the unfinished product, that should be fine.

I'll just keep playing Wing Commander II

 

[Gezzer]

Yeah... 10 years and still in Alpha would be a bit of a concern....

But again, as long as you're satisfied with what you have, then I suppose it's OK.

Chris Roberts is a perfectionist - you will almost certainly NEVER see a finished game - but as long as you're happy with the unfinished product, that should be fine.

I'll just keep playing Wing Commander II

Actually that's one of the design concepts of at least the persistent universe in SC. The game will never be finished. They'll keep adding to it as long as people are playing it. So you're right, we'll never see a finished game in that sense. What's currently concerning is how many gameplay concepts and locations are still left to be completed. I have faith that eventually we'll see more of them being added to the game. When? That I'm afraid is a whole other matter.

 

[AudoBell]

I wonder if the same people that are bashing Star Citizen for taking to long are criticizing Cyberpunk for releasing it too early.... A lot of high maintenance gamers that expect a perfect product, on time, at launch.

 

[Squid Surprise]

I wonder if the same people that are bashing Star Citizen for taking to long are criticizing Cyberpunk for releasing it too early.... A lot of high maintenance gamers that expect a perfect product, on time, at launch.

There’s a huge different between the two... yes cyberpunk released a bit early... but it’s still playable (other than on ps4 / Xbox one) and will probably be “finished” within a year or 2...
Star Citizen has been in alpha for 10 years... and there are no signs that it will be coming out of alpha any time soon...

 

[AudoBell]

There’s a huge different between the two... yes cyberpunk released a bit early... but it’s still playable (other than on ps4 / Xbox one) and will probably be “finished” within a year or 2...
Star Citizen has been in alpha for 10 years... and there are no signs that it will be coming out of alpha any time soon...

True, they are extreme examples. It does, however, seem that most of the Techspot forum comments come from consistent disgruntled and unsatisfied gamers....

 

[Okami]

True, they are extreme examples. It does, however, seem that most of the Techspot forum comments come from consistent disgruntled and unsatisfied gamers....

Its an interesting look for both as CP and SC both released trailers around the same time and are in vastly different states today

 

[Gezzer]

There’s a huge different between the two... yes cyberpunk released a bit early... but it’s still playable (other than on ps4 / Xbox one) and will probably be “finished” within a year or 2...
Star Citizen has been in alpha for 10 years... and there are no signs that it will be coming out of alpha any time soon...

Have you actually played it lately? While it still has it's issues, I'd say what is playable is actually in better shape than CP2077 currently is. The problem is what's playable isn't nearly enough to call a complete game let alone everything CR promised. The alpha nature is less to do with bugs and much more to do with features to be added. A lot of features, and ships, and systems, and gameplay mechanics... yeah we're not out of the woods yet.

 

[Tom Sunday]

It's been months since I spun this game up, but I can say it's unplayable.

Chris Roberts and company to date have spent about $300 million on Star Citizen and is sitting on approximately $30 million to keep the ball rolling. Chris was also first 'out of the gate' with "crowdfunding" because no major investors or companies (Hedge Funds) could initially be secured. So the 'man on the street' was asked to participate, all on good faith and to keeping buoying the team through minority investments. Chris keeps his lifestyle and compensation details rather private. I wonder why? But gathered information suggest that Chris is worth between US$15-20 million and much garnered in the last 8-years. With about 600 listed worldwide employees and a 2019 compensation budget of $40 million, life is good to be sure. Benefits abound. (Source: 2019 Cloud Imperium Financials dated Dec 23, 2020) Finishing the game? Getting to any reasonable supported truth one needs to dig deeper. It's difficult of course as much data is made cloudy and the game development "after all this time" in fact has become a large rabbit hole. Including a lot of smoke...and as the saying goes...where there is smoke....!