How will Star Citizen pay for itself in the long term?

[@NiceB4dge]

To me personally, the "ideal" monetization for "Star Citizen 1.0" would be : - Simplified single-buy game package (and if we get to choose a starter ship, let it happen inside the game, diegetically) - In-game integration of the subscriber shop - Expansion of the *optional* subscriber system (superficial non-P2W perks like access to special in-game places and shops based on status (like Concierge and MHC already), exclusive services like hangar and insurance/housing perks, vehicles to try for free, exclusive clothing, etc.) - Micro-transactions in the form of vehicle skins + armor/clothes cosmetics + housing/hangar/base/ship decorations - No more real money ships

[@rohanmanuka]

American Truck Simulator model. Get the game running 'perfectly' and charge dlc for each new system, every year or so. NP, optional but oh so desirable.

[@stuartthurstan]

@@rohanmanuka There are some serious problems with this model. For example, if I'm a free to play bounty hunter, my targets can just run away to a system that I haven't paid to access.

[@Ferrous_Bueller]

@@stuartthurstanthere isn’t any pay model that keeps on and game in development that doesn’t exclude somebody from something. The game shouldn’t care to the whinos that want something for nothing at all times.

[@Bruce_Warren]

🍻Here's to real life LG it pays for everything😆

[@deRNmEpRrMm]

Concerning using MTX as cashflow: I rather have the ability to customize my look, ship, ship interior etc. and pay a fixed, monthly subscription, than having to pay for for every customization option that looks cool.

[@LoudGuns]

To be fair I would also go for something like this. Honestly I just wish they had said it’d be a sub model from the start since that makes the most sense and aligns player / developer interests the best.

[@Scelestiis]

what a grand and intoxicating innocence

[@stuartthurstan]

Once we get to launch this presumably will mean that they have perfected dynamic server meshing and all the other tech behind the star engine. I reckon there's got to be a fair chunk of potential income from licensing the engine and tech to other game studios. I agree with other commenters that it also seems likely that they will continue to sell ships for real world money.

[@conornordenstam36]

maybe they'll let players make skins for ships and gear and sell it similar to counter strike and charge a fee for it

[@daren5393]

They have expressed in the past, as recently as around last citizencon, that they don't have any interest currently in licensing out any of their tech. Personally, I hope the game is just funded by a subscription, it's the best way to make sure the game can be the sort of no holds bard experience we all want, without doing the "create a problem, monetize the solution" situation most FTP games have.

[@stuartthurstan]

​​​@@daren5393Maybe, but they've said a lot of things in the past then changed their minds later. Anyway, it's one potential solution if they need extra cash. Personally I hope they don't go the subscription route as that will be the end of it for me.

[@Tink-GB]

Server meshing..? Never gonna happen, not in 5 years...

[@daren5393]

@@Tink-GB this feels pretty aged like milk, given they did their first public test of it Monday, and are doing another public test of it tomorrow. It's not just happening, it's happened

[@cpt.tombstone]

I would not only be fine with CIG selling ships after SC hitting 1.0, but I would actually like to see a lot of new ships coming out. Especially on the industrial side, there is plenty of room for 'flavor' and I wouldn't mind getting a new ship even if it's not strictly better than whatever there is already. One of my favorite ships is the 400i and that ship does not excel in any particular category, but I really like how the interior is designed, and I also like the general look. Imagine getting a Drake mining ship that, or a MISC salvage ship, and both in different sizes, for different crew sizes.

[@Frank-costanza]

Yeah, I would be super okay with them selling balanced ships and skins, even if they were real money exclusive for a period of time.

[@budthecyborg4575]

The ship sales model is already very similar to what you see with a lot of free to ploy games (e.g. Genshin publishes a few new playable characters every year), really there's hardly any reason for CIG to change anything post release.

[@Frank-costanza]

@@budthecyborg4575 yup, and if they're exclusive for a while, people will 100% buy them.

[@SvalbardSleeperDistrict]

I completely agree on the point of most vehicle skins being lazy designs. It is so disappointing, when it lags behind the attention to detail and creativity in all other visual aspects of the game.

[@Phoenixstorm36]

17:33 My wakeup moment took some time to realise but as soon I pay to get access to a pass/ premium time or any other artificial timer that is ticking behind my back i lose the fun and motivation to play. The moment you don't want to play the game you've paid extra for but than the constant thought reacures of "I must this game x/y because i've paid for the time." ruins everything for me. That buisness model ruined trackmania for me and so many other games I used to play in the past.

[@UPLYNXED]

Same kind of reason limited time battlepasses in certain games just make me want to play less most of the time

[@journeyingjen7554]

World of Warships did this to me. I was logging in to grind out my xp for the day, then quickly logging out to play something I really enjoy: SC

[@Phoenixstorm36]

@@journeyingjen7554 For me it was World of Tanks but it's basically the same as WoWS if we're being honest.^^

[@throdwobblermangrove6200]

Thank you. This topic is very interesting but also highly spectaculative. I think, they could sell whatever you can buy ingame, but with a form of insurance.... or they will sell insurance, which you can pay with ingamemoney (but you have to play a lot and can maybe just afford 1 ship) or with realmoney.

[@mattp1337]

Cosmetic items are probably the best monetization model for Star Citizen. The most lucrative in the long term will be decorative items that enhance the look and prestige of our characters, ships, apartments and settlements-inside and out. This could be decals, furnishings, and enhanced features. A credit sink that I was really fond of paying for in Star Wars Galaxies was street lighting in our player-run town. SWG was a subscription game, so I wasn't paying cash for this, but in a non-subscription game that's a cosmetic I might be willing to pay for: city perks or "infrastructure points" for the community I'm a part of, that advertise that we're a community that values its community. In a similar mode, subscription dollars could be allocated to boost UEE patrols of your favorite trade routes, making the space you like to frequent more safe. Or for the unlawful player, you could allocate your subsidy to NPCs that periodically sabotage intelligence satellites and nav buoys, perhaps. The idea needs work for realism and avoiding unintended gameplay consequences, as well as not sparking a frustrating monetary arms race, but you get the general idea. Upshot: cash-only perks should enhance your Star Citizen experience, be entirely voluntary, and not confer advantage (but intangible prestige is fine).

[@marktrotter2797]

Interesting ideas!

[@libertybelleeve]

Maybe I’m an outlier but if the game has a successful 1.0 launch I’d have no problem paying a monthly server upkeep fee to keep the lights on.

[@LoudGuns]

Yeah I’m in this boat too, and I can’t help but think monthly subs have the least risk of poor design decisions

[@038alpha]

same, but monthly sub is a big no for a lot of pple, especially parents

[@Jesse-2531]

​@038alpha and casual players tat only play 1-2 days a week. That is my problem with final fantasy 😢

[@gamerboiiiiiii]

​@@038alphaespecially when you already already have paid for the game itself.

[@Adamas9571]

​@@Jesse-2531May be playable hours like FF14？ Only use when u play.

[@Valium_x]

Awesome, thoughtful content. Hope you are okay dude! Love from Australia

[@CitizenScott]

Great vid. Pretty much in agreement across the board. Only thing I would add is that P2W doesn't apply to SCreally , since "winning" is basically defined by each player, unlike something like a competitive FPS. In the end I really don't care what they do to make money in the future, even if that means selling pledge ships forever, but the one thing I won't do is pay a monthly subscription on top of what I've already pledged. Hopefully that situation never arises.

[@MadNekUA]

We also need to consider that CIG develop tools and services at the first. Then the game itself that uses those. Believe me they will get payed for it to be used in other projects. So live-service part of SC will not totally rely on players.

[@festersmith8352]

Don't for get the outcome of the CryEngine lawsuit. I'm not sure CIG can legally do that. But I haven't found a good breakdown of the final wording yet.

[@kennethjensen730]

They Will keep selling ships, there will be a subscription, and that will make them rich. But again, if they just make an actual game of this scale, id gladly Pay for it all.

[@LunaMoon0]

i think that CIG could also make a lot of money with skins that are placed in the ship. for example in the 300i you can change the interior

[@Jezato]

MTX for aesthetic changes like they do in Elite, like engine trails, wings/tail fin packs or spikes or other random stuff that looks cool. This stuff should be unlockable in game through engineering skill or mission rep. Copying the Helldivers 2 Battlepass system is a good idea, i like that.

[@CaptWinky]

100% - They’re going to sell ships just like they are now. They’ve even stated that they would do what would make sense financially.

[@flygja]

$600m from this already (plus skins for guns, armor, etc), no reason to change.

[@renshan3657]

Excellent vid. The original idea was to fund the upkeep with regular new installments of the single player campaign and new player base game packages. If that doesn't suffice they can perfectly look at other income streams. If the game becomes big enough I would not mind there being some advertising in the game if wasn't disruptive. Things like a few posters on the walls of stations, Bars in the game carrying really existing drinks, racing vehicles having real company liveries etc. The AMD racing Mustang doesn't break immersion. It must be limited to product placement though, no commercial vids, no say of the advertiser about the content of the game

[@CrossCountryAdventures]

2028 is a very generous prediction of us actually playing the game

[@Bland-79]

Many of us already paid for LTI {Life Time Insurance}

[@bakad7424]

My nomad came with lifetime. I forgot what year I got it.

[@Erik3E]

You want major sells of a ship so you can ballance it out. If no one is using it there will be no feedback to make the ship more ballanced.

[@RN1441]

For the first 12 years of development they swore they were supporting modding and dedicated servers so this wouldn't be nearly such a big problem if it were to happen, but they took down the sale of the modding manual in October 2023 - the link just 404's now. This was a digital modding guide they were selling for USD $9.99 to support those features they advertised, but now it's just gone.

[@DannyAlcarin]

The initial 2012/13 pitch could have been a game that ran on private servers with modding. I don’t think that’s a realistic expectation and probably hasn’t been since 2015 and the push for this much larger space sim experience

[@jodofe4879]

I am pretty sure the idea of modding support and dedicated servers is something they quietly dropped 5-7 years ago already. It is just not realistic with how much Star Citizen has changed and grown in scope since the original kickstarter pitch. The server now handles way too much for dedicated servers to be possible.

[@Nemoticon]

They 'swore' on pentaly of death!!!

[@RN1441]

​@@DannyAlcarin It was sort of on them to make it possible since they advertised it. Doing it this way and explicitly taking money for that specific feature in the modding manual and then deciding they'd rather not is deeply unethical.

[@RN1441]

@@jodofe4879 They changed the scope by not really talking about the dedicated servers anymore. They changed the scope by 404ing the modding manual in 2023. They changed the scope by transforming the drop-in drop-out co-op campaign to be 'maybe a couple of co-op missions'. They've removed a lot of things that pulled me in on day 1 in their quest to add everything.

[@youdotoo3]

I think the side stories of the universe will allow them to make future single-player games and add it to the ptu. It's not just limited to the sq42 trilogy that we know is coming.

[@LunaMoon0]

it has been said that the ingame ship prices are rising and that makes me think that they are only doing this so that more players buy real money ships

[@amphialus222]

I would love to see cig invest more effort into skins. Right now it's such a tiny portion of their efforts, but a dedicated team could very efficiently put out high quality skins. And I think sc players would buy them like hotcakes, as a way to make their favorite ships stand out without breaking the bank. League and Valorant put a ton of effort into making enough variety that every player you meet has a different fav. Would love to see that from cig, much more so then the current practice of selling jpegs to whales.

[@lonely_88]

how do a repay, because im order two game packs lol

[@GW2Vids1]

I hope for ship skins, armor and weapon skins and maybe some unqiue base modules that look different.

[@VFW-Mayer]

Monthly Insurance cost. 20.00 USD for unlimited Insurance for an unlimited number of ships. The More accounts you make, the more times you will pay for the Monthly Insurance. A way to make more from those who will be playing on several accounts and PC's.

[@thefirmament9915]

subscription as an option with benefits for casual players convenience. Playing the game should consume a resource(think rent, insurance, wear and tear, taxes for citizenship; all in aUEC) that non-casuals can sustain with grinding without paying real money. I think runescape is like this and its worked for decades.

[@greghoffstadt667]

Always appreciate your videos. They are well thought out and are not in any way, just a bitch season. I hope RSI takes a good part of your suggestions to heart.

[@mydartswinger]

Like you said, things are subject to change. However, the original plan for post launch, iirc, was to stop ship sales except for starter packs (I don't remember if they specifically stated a cutoff point for which ships, but I would definitely be OK with it going up to something like a Connie or Corsair), sell limited amounts of UEC to assist gamers with less time to game to maintain things like insurance (but accounts' UEC purchases would be limited to a point where they couldn't buy anything substantial like ships with purchased UEC...maybe a monthly or weekly UEC purchase cap, as it would be difficult to differentiate between purchased and earned UEC otherwise), provide microtransactions for things like paints and other cosmetic only items, expansions to SQ42, and eventually (after all promised content has been released) further expansions to Star Citizen itself. In addition, they intended to sell what at the time was their modified version of Cryengine (now StarEngine) to other developers. I would say avoid subs to play the game, instead modify the current subs to change their focus. The current sub model we have was created only to fund their plethora of update videos. Post launch, they won't need near as many or as long as they are doing now. Instead, they could easily shift that focus to a weekly Inside Star Citizen (eliminating all other shows) to keep their playerbase informed of continuing development. In post development SC, perks like the Subscriber's Vault and early PTU access would become largely irrelevant. To keep the value of a monthly subscription, maybe give the newest paint or cosmetic item in addition to the normal monthly flair, loaner ship, and maybe a monthly UEC stipend that would count against their purchased UEC limit. I don't recall if they intend to keep REC for Arena Commander (which by lore is a video game/simulation, so it could reasonably be left in the game). If they do, the monthly REC reward could stay, but it would have to be removed and a reasonable replacement reward my need to be considered. Depending on how they are implemented, battle boxes could potentially pose the problem of alienating certain portions of the playerbase. If all the goals in the battle pass are combat related, that would give no incentive for non-combat players (miners, haulers, salvagers, medics, engineers, etc...) to purchase them. Yes, it does say battle pass, which insinuates combat. However, they could provide non-combat equivalents for those players or include non-combat goals, both providing different rewards based on the career for completion.

[@BigJohnno66]

I got all of the battle passes for Modern Warfare II, and when MW III came out I never bought the game because of burn out cased by the battle passes. You go to all this effort and the items you sweated for are not brought over to the new game and are essentially lost.

[@bjordan429]

You only mentioned business models that currently exist. You forgot to discuss the plan that was mentioned in the past; using sales of single player stories (SQ42) 'cloned' from the current PU to keep the PU alive. Or something radical like licensing the tech they develop. I'm sure other devs would pay a pretty penny to use server meshing; especially since it's optimized with AWS.

[@BerraLJ]

Not even sure i played any games with battle passes, but a game like EVE online you can buy plex that you can then sell in game for in game currency that i can use to buy stuff, getting that 70b blueprint, let alone 4 of them would take 14 ages and 3 days for me without that option.

[@Jesse-2531]

But that is hard to balance, I played games like that, and the good thing is players with money and no time cann pay players with no money but time. BUT when it's not balanced it completely destroyed the server economy 😢.

[@BerraLJ]

@@Jesse-2531 True, being in one of null blocs i tend to loose as much as i build so it sort of evens out, sure i can get the money to buy a big shiny ship and likely loose it on the first time un-docking it :)

[@aesericho3651]

I think what some people forget to consider is how much money can be made if Sq42 is a success. That alone (all chapters) can easily fund the PU and development costs for many years. Look at how much money RDR2/CP2077 made.

[@mazack00]

Why is this even a question? They've made it clear that UEC will be a premium currency and LTI isn't available for in-game purchased ships. You'll need to pay to keep up insurance. That will be done either by grinding in game or purchasing UEC. The threat of not doing this is your ship will blow up and you have to completely re-purchase it.

[@budthecyborg4575]

Every successful live service game makes hundreds of millions of dollars every year, the biggest games make billions. With the size and influence of Star Citizen, I expect cashflow to dramatically increase in the coming years.

[@Vioblight]

Hopefully they keep the lights on by actually upgrading the PU :)

[@jamess405]

I can’t see them stopping ship sales and tbh I’m ok with that. As long as things don’t go down the way of like mobile games or certain FTP MMOs

[@Skyinvictus_0701]

If a B.P was tied with events like JT, then maybe if you smuggled 10mil of drug u get a elite armor set for that gang controlled area and a in game store discount for a brand of ships say a caterpillar that 5mill. if you end up doing 10 mill thats 10% off and 100mil 50%.

[@Quent1nB]

I personally wouldn't mind paying a monthly fee to play (I already do), but I think they could just sell cosmetics: ship/weapon/armor skins, custom interiors, items to customize your ship or base, etc Imo, they should all be lootable, but rather rare and hard to find, and 100% no competitive advantage. I believe they should stop selling ships for IRL currency though, once the 1.0 (non alpha/beta) is out. I don't really think the battle pass route would work, it just doesn't feel like that type of game.

[@jimbobhootenanny4440]

For battle passes just add them to the events during the year that would be great 👍

[@LoudGuns]

Yeah tbf the way the rep worked for XT earning the CDF armour sets was kind of a mini battle pass and was very organic 👍

[@FunkThompson]

Licensing their tech. Could have done this video in 17 seconds :D

[@festersmith8352]

I'm not entirely sure they can legally do that, with the CryEngine lawsuit in the history of the project. Haven't found a clear break down of the final outcome.

[@UPLYNXED]

​@@festersmith8352not all of their tech is tied to the engine. They've designed a lot of tools that could be made to be engine-agnostic. Same goes for the networking architecture tech.

[@festersmith8352]

@@UPLYNXED I'm not a tech wiz. So if thats true. It offers hope, and I wish them the best. But most are referring to the engine in the possibility. SC's CitCon demo of Star Engine is full of similar comments.

[@LoudGuns]

So with my business hat on 🎩 this doesn’t make as much sense as it might seem to. You don’t continue to run an expensive, unprofitable product line (Star Citizen) just because you can subsidise it with a profitable one (engine licensing) unless you have a clear reason to run a loss leading product. Generally speaking each unit of a business at least has to wash its own face.

[@festersmith8352]

@@LoudGuns Your business hat doesn't fit my head 😁 I'll remain ignorant and just go for the ride. So many promises and predictions from so many over the years. Including the community. Only to hear so much cheer and booing along the way.

[@jodofe4879]

Ship sales and subscriptions I am betting. Pretty much how they are already making money now. It has been a very succesful business model for them so far, so I don't see why they would change it.

[@Nayrock]

I'm willing to pay for the game and a monthly sub but if they keep selling ships and gear for cash after release I'm going to be pretty upset and disappointed in CIG...

[@LoudGuns]

I think gear / paint mtx is almost a given, but the ships leave me a bit torn too. Like I said I can definitely see them keeping all the industry starters (prospector / vulture etc) and stuff up to say Connie sized up for sale as game packs.

[@Crazy-Chicken-Media]

never heard of Star Trek online have you?

[@Nayrock]

@Crazy-Chicken-Media I've heard of it but never played it. Never been a startrek fan. Why?

[@Crazy-Chicken-Media]

@@Nayrock the game was originally subscription-based. You got one free ship to start the game. But every ship you wanted after that cost in game money you buy with real money. then they went free to pay and then micro transaction, gamble boxes and everything else followed. It's still pretty popular today, although terribly outdated graphics wise. I'm not proud of my transaction history in that game 😫

[@berkoroo]

Ship sales are a thing atm during development, and may still be once pu is live, but I think will become less of a thing. I only have a mustang starter, worked up to a vulture ig and now looking at a taurus. Only reason I see to buy a ship irl is to fast track progression to a higher earning potential ig to then get the other ships you want. With this in mind I'll likely upgrade my starter pack to a spirit or zeus for wipes or full pu launch. Cant see me spending any more on ships other than that. I would prefer, and be happy with, a subscription to ensure the game is supported going forward.

[@tragiicgg]

Honestly I believe they can offset some of the fixed costs by selling ad space in-game, I mean u are standing on a train to go to the city there are ads in-game but for the stuff in-game. They can sell Bud Light ads or smth and put those on the skyscrapers in A18. Don't know how much this will drag in but they can also sell licenses to the game engine they are making.

[@festersmith8352]

Bud Light ads Thats funny right there! Don't forget Doritos too. Though I get your meaning.

[@Crittek]

Strict sub model. $25 a month. Take all backers money and turn it into sub credits. So if a backer spent $250, they get 10 credits to use as they please. This will be a bit of a cash flow problem in the beginning but the AVERAGE backer has only spent $125.

[@DannyAlcarin]

They are going to keep selling ships just like they’ve been doing. They generate 9 figures a year selling ships. They will ride that wagon until the wheels fall off.

[@festersmith8352]

I feel they should do so. Its still makes the game optional for those can afford it. While those who cannot get to play the same game. Instead of disdain and hate thrown at whales, we should be thanking them for their contribution, to help those of us who can't contribute to plat an amazing game that wouldn't be possible without this amount of funding. We complain so much about how the wealthy don't give to the less fortunate. So thank you whales for your passion and contribution, to help make one of my dreams come true.

[@Glathgrundel]

I'm OK with people buying skins, gear and UEC ... some people call it 'pay to win' but there are always rich people IRL who are born with a silver spoon and an unfair advantage, as long as it is made clear that gear LOST in game is LOST, regardless of what you've paid. The player is paying dollars for essentially a consumable. Also, I think land, posh apartments and even entire built bases (already at a location within UEE space) should be sold the way ships are done now and these would NOT be at threat of being lost ... since they would be quite expensive ... maybe not the industrial components that can earn in-game money, but the habitation, landing pits and basic infrastructure to expand upon should be treated like a ship sale. Cosmetics, like rare character traits (cybernetics, unique tattoos, scars and alien character skins), the right to add player created/modified ship skins could be offered as MTX ... nothing that gives a massive advantage, but things that offer unique aspects to player or ship appearance. Finally, the tech should be leased to other game studios ... they would only go on to make it themselves otherwise and CIG have spent a lot of time and effort to refine Server Meshing, Star Engine and the core tech, they should be able to profit from that beyond this one product.

[@festersmith8352]

Leased tech? I'm not entirely sure they can legally do that, with the CryEngine lawsuit in the history of the project. Haven't found a clear break down of the final outcome.

[@Retro_RackhamSC]

They can absolutely do that. There is no cryengine code left. They replaced it all and also paid off crytek to stop the crying.

[@RyoninShonin]

The development tools and technology are where the money is...

[@NikFlyer]

Isn't that a pretty obvious answer? They will just keep selling ships and gear like they do now. There is no reason for them to stop, so why would they?

[@garretbiggerstaff8087]

I hear your final comments. I actually quit Phantasy Star NGS because of this. I spent so long with myself just under that top-tier level and just logging in every day to get the bonus stuff and I realized... I'm not playing a game. I'm just paying for digital extras I'm not even using. I would rather see the idea that a subscription would do things like say cover the cost of insurance for up to X ships you 'own' and maybe get an in-game discount for rentals for ships. That way that the idea of physically buying a ship is still appealing and lets people rent items out instead of owning them. Another thing that CIG can consider for a sub model is a small pay tier to preserve your ship's current loadout instead of you having to bank spare components and missiles because you might accidentally clip a hangar door on a lag-spike and blow up all the money you just spent. Make this conditional to be outside of PvP spaces only like the new star system, and it does not reinstate worn out gear like a dead mining laser or expended missile, and it would make good sense for a long-time person to pay say... 5 a month to maintain this. Enough players on this level of assurance covers your server room maintenance costs per month. To me, a small investment of real money to preserve the larger investment of in-game capital doesn't deter me from paying a sub fee. It encourages me because it gives me peace of mind. Passes for specific events or in-game bonuses are also another good idea. This way it feels more like an opt-in for something big and special, and if you're just not in the mood to deal with it, you simply don't pay... or if you're coming in late, the Passes could be set up to give you some kind of boost to be able to complete content before the time period is done. Just a thought.

[@squigglesmcjr199]

It need a blockchain server infrastructure developed so the game can run as long as people are playing it.

[@DismayingHades6]

how ever much we'd love to see them not keep selling ships, they're just gonna keep selling ships, they've built up this market and have a sell every month for a yearly schedule for as long as its financially viable most likely. plus when more updates come out the demand will just raise, no matter the back lash unless it really becomes that financially unviable, only then will it change, so basically some huge drama needs to happen lol

[@Nitrogamingcw]

I hope i can pass my BMM onto my future kids because there is no way its coming out in my lifetime. so i hope the game is still around then

[@festersmith8352]

My SC account is the most valuable thing I own. I'm not getting any younger either. My kids know my account info just in case. EVE's been going on this long. Why not SC too.

[@USArmy31]

My biggest fear and concern is that what the hell is CIGs plan to keep the game alive once it is officially out of Alpha and into the official 1.0 release? Is their plan to focus on new players coming into the game cause it been 11 years and anyone that been here for a good minute knows that they already pledged for “most” of their fleet and won’t likely drop large sums of new money into the game like they did earlier on in development cause we already have what we want. This source of money flow is drying up REAL quick, if not already pretty much dried up. And the game isn’t out yet…. They need to get their shit together soon and get this game out if they have any chance on this game surviving and all of us getting screwed.

[@LoudGuns]

I honestly think this is what drove this vid - it’s cool to hear about all the new ships, game loops, systems etc at things like CitCon, but I think discussing how the game will wash its face is also a good topic for more information.

[@aardvarkmindshank]

More ship sales, apartments, land. There will be no end to the god-awful marketing and sales engine 😩

[@youtubehandlescostmemyusername]

I'm losing a lot of stuff to do by standing up to payment models I don't agree with. I'd rather pay $1 per hour than subscribe to a commitment. Commitment is a cage. Like a marriage: "You owe it to me now!"

[@Crazy-Chicken-Media]

first everyones auto response to anything related to CGI: *clears throat* something, something doom and gloom... now that the age old battle cry of people that haven't played the game my two cents. they should open the bilboards to real life companies. (instead of a wamburger ad we get a Burger King ad or whatever region specific brands the game is from) paid skins, yes tons of people will spend $20 on skins already. subscription based bigger hangers get more space in their item storage. subscription based land claims. they still have the normal land claim but if you subscribe you get better buildings, or more cargo holdings. anyway thats just something running through my head. like it dont like it thats on you. It's not like I have any control over how they do it.

[@gamerboiiiiiii]

Not better buildings. And likely no p2w. What we have now will probably stay and the tools theyve made for SC and s42 are impressive. And will likely pay for themselves in the future..

[@Crazy-Chicken-Media]

@@gamerboiiiiiii especially if they release the graphic engine to be used by other game companies. I see nothing but a very prosperous future for whatever they have in store. people feel to realize this is the first try of anything of this scope, so it's going to take a while. How long have people been waiting for ES6? OR GTA6?

[@festersmith8352]

@@Crazy-Chicken-Media I'm not entirely sure they can legally do that, with the CryEngine lawsuit in the history of the project. Haven't found a clear break down of the final outcome.

[@Crazy-Chicken-Media]

@@festersmith8352 You mentioned the lawsuit. I had to look it up because I've never heard of such thing. granted I haven't been following this game since consumption but I looked it up. the details are not disclosed even still to this day even though it was settled in 2020. so be interesting to see.

[@festersmith8352]

@@Crazy-Chicken-Media There were a few lawyers who were very interested in the case. Likely backers who wanted the game. They did breakdowns of the records that were public. Dozen or so YT videos of them. I'll see if i can track them down.

[@ValosarX]

Would be hilarious if CiG made it to the finish line and released the game only to have it fail after 20 years of development

[@USArmy31]

Let’s making it to the Beta phase first to see if the game fails. They did say that the server meshing tech is essential to the longevity of the game and that’s feature isn’t fleshed out… like at all.

[@Vioblight]

That would be funny. My worry is if the game will look aged in 10-20years. Think world of Warcraft, still has a few follows but it’s so dated now without a 2.0 engine

[@The_Master_Kiwi]

@@USArmy31 yet here we are planning to have a server meshing test with jump gates enabling players to travel between system through the weekend.

[@RN1441]

@@The_Master_KiwiA server meshing test with zero player interaction across the mesh edges, or 'server meshing without any of the benefits of meshing'. If it goes well CIG will have reached the milestone of 'zones' from any past MMO made since 1999.

[@USArmy31]

@@The_Master_Kiwi yup. It’s almost as if CIG haven’t heard of the saying “putting the cart before the horse” or “walk before you run”.

[@Mecha_Gear]

Can of Cider here. Cheers.

[@LoudGuns]

Also a strong choice 💪

[@squigglesmcjr199]

Wait your telling me there is no system ingame to collect resources and build shops to sell to other players??? Why play this at all?

[@_..-._.-_-_]

Obviously CIG will retool itself into a media platform named OnlyFleet and backers will be able to sell Fleet pics.

[@festersmith8352]

😆 NFT's are a huge market. Though they seem a really odd concept to me.

[@gumrickzimmermann9605]

this game is setting up all the new players to be seals FC8 and the new MK2 proves it you dont give them hundreds if not thousands of dollars you will not be able to compete with these pay to win ships its only 2 ships now but this is just the start

[@hephaestion12]

In defence of premium currencies, i think the reasoning is to do with inflation of in game money. Live service games have a lot of inflation, so matching real money to in game money is problematic.... Now ideally you wouldnt be able to buy UEC.... But its too late for that! 😂

[@LoudGuns]

That does make some sense for transferring real cash to in game cash. But in my personal experience most premium currencies are more then used in a client side shop to buy things like skins / cosmetics that could easily just have a clear $ price, and the use of the premium currency is more about distorting that linkage.

[@hephaestion12]

@@LoudGuns fair enough! I think i was thinking about this very old video on the subject which doesnt really apply to cosmetic mtx.kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWSchad8Zpmcbqssi=flnIlJmUO3gq4SIA

[@yous2244]

Sell more ships duh

[@Tekjive]

Better be a monthly sub …I’ve played the difference between free and paid monthly and I will GLADLY pay monthly

[@LunaMoon0]

The SC subscribers don't spend their money on development, but only on marketing. so the money from the players only goes into marketing and not into development

[@Stymfalm]

I figured that it would just be direct payments for small items like you stated, up to the Connie level, for example. In addition, cash payments to factions. Specifically, in terms of reputation. For example, you pay a monthly subscription to a faction(s) for for a little boost in reputation and/or amplified rep gains and diminished rep penalties.

[@Jesse-2531]

But then they would 🐌 down rep farming. And it bekoms like every singel free to play were you can spend 10$ ore 300H playing 😢

[@Stymfalm]

@@Jesse-2531 Agreed, it should be balanced.

[@Stymfalm]

I don't think it has to be too crazy. Say, $5 a month to get 50% more rep gains when gaining rep towards [faction] doesn't feel PTW, and doesn't make it necessary to buy just to avoid extreme time inconvenience.

[@LoudGuns]

@@Stymfalm xp boosters are quite a common thing in other games (particularly f2p) so could be something similar in SC for sure. As you say though (and I think as applies to all elements of monetisation) balance is key.

[@treomoe]

It won’t someone will buy them.

[@WhenBaconFlies-eo6xm]

they diverted resources from the project for over 2 years.... they OWE backers that much development. just the predatory and abusive ways they treat the loyal supporters is reason enough to not continue feeding this abomination.

[@aaronpolichio6901]

Instead of micro transactions, i would rather pay 20 or 30 dollars a month like any other subscription as long as the future updates and star systems were free for everyone. Something like when wow first started. But if you really want to spend some extra cash for skin or in-game money, you really need for something that's on you if you don't have the time to grind so if you can't play for awhile and you are broke you can keep your insurance and the lights on!lol That's just my two cents. It might be a good option instead of the micro transactions and all the other shit. Im a perfect would it would be free to everyone! And maybe CIG would give the backers free access as a thank you, probably not, but would be nice. I just hope we get the game we all wanted and have the time of our internet space lives!lol

[@herbaceousboredom9584]

I consider premium currencies to be dishonest and manipulative - especially for the vulnerable - so I hope CIG never do that, at least we can currently see the actual price and pay exactly that amount (or not) as we decide. I reckon that if CIG truly did remove cash for big ships (not these 'limited' waves that appear so frequently) there would be an outcry far louder than those by clickbait game 'journalists' disingenuously calling out $48k packages as if they're necessary to get in to SC. There would probably also be crazy buying sprees followed by an inflated grey market causing their own furor. For good or ill we are where we are (but on a separate rant put LTI on everything that is wholly paid for with new cash, and maybe even paid with store credits that were once new cash). If they go with a Battle Pass plan I hope they take a leaf out of Guild Wars 2's book. You don't pay any money, instead you are rewarded with in-game currency, commensurate with your playtime and effort, to spend on items that matter to you. GW2 does have a premium currency and I assume the increased playtime indirectly leads to increased cash purchases.

[@Frazec_Atsjenkov]

Personally, I'd like to see SC become feature-complete and then see the community take over the content creation. Not in a developer sense, but in orgs and fractions using ingame mechanisms to play their part in the universe.

[@louieavi]

Talking about release theories is a bit dumber than CIG talking about feature releases next year. No disrespect, just poking fun. I would like to see planet plot subscriptions or one time sale to base build.

[@hyperkaioken4982]

13:44 60 quid was 85.... for RED lmfao make it make sense

[@Kyle-sr6jm]

Personally, I despise subscriptions.

[@lovethesabres06]

Easy... fleecing money from as many ppl as possible

[@rooster1012]

Well CR stated from the beginning that they will be using the World of Tanks as their funding model at launch and they will modify it as needed. So new ships and ship events like IAE, skins and in game currency, add to that cosmetic crafting blueprints and other flair items.

[@Jesse-2531]

That game is pay to win let's hope not 😢

[@Bland-79]

I have already put over $1000 into the game. If they made me pay a subscription fee after it goes live after that I would be very angry along with most people who put money into this game while in alpha. It's also their biggest promise on what they wouldn't do. Very bad idea. Your idea would be acceptable to me though I'm not sure how new players would react especially with this entitled younger generation who expect equal everything even if they haven't earned it.

[@CaptainSnackbeard]

They are gonna sell ships and UEC, and anything else people will pay for. 🤷‍♂️

[@lperry31010]

Subs with a discount for backers 👍 and no insurance for bought ships

[@Tink-GB]

1. Pledges... This is THE major issue a I have with this game 2. your thinking....you continue to use in game cash as you say it. This is a pure assumption it will remain. There is no promise or any info saying this will remain...In fact aEUC will go to bEUC, etc etc until you use your actual real EUC balance. ie. the premium 5000 EUC reward players get on using a loyalty code and only for use in the final build release...). The existing in game currency will completely disappear...there is no other articles or information to say what will happen in any CIG or RSI websites...very poor, but also clever...so open that noone actually understands it...

[@TheWendigoProjekt]

I'm not saying I'm an SC diehard or anything but I will say I'm not really worried. Look at eve most mmo last about 10years then die off but it's still going. Also how many of you still play x2 and x3. Space game fans just play the games they like forever....besides, SC backers paid for the development of both SC and SQ42. Once SQ42 comes out those sales will pay for the maintenance costs for SC PU servers. And you dismiss the reliance on Whales but may I remind you the Whale archetype makes Amouranth 5-10 million dollars a month on OF...so space whales will keep SC alive as well.

[@thomasinlondon2849]

I hate battle passes

[@revengexmoon2087]

Extortion.

[@DoremiFasolatido1979]

What, fleecing millions of dollars from a bunch of dupes wasn't enough?

[@jackinthebox301]

Such a tired line. Wake me up when you have a valid opinion.

[@DoremiFasolatido1979]

@@jackinthebox301 Wake me up when you stop being a sucker.

[@festersmith8352]

Slinging insults is a great way to show maturity, and help make a point. Your comment applies to any gamer who pays in any form, to play and gain in a project that allows them to have fun. Whats yours, dupe? I here FIFA holds the crown for milking dupes. But its there money to spend on their entertainment. I paid $110 for SC in 2013, and have had thousands of hours of fun so far. Its a huge win for me!

[@DoremiFasolatido1979]

@festersmith8352 I'm not here to make a point. Your kind wouldn't get it anyway. Anymore than an addict, or a religious nut.

[@Herne0011]

Its easy - ships forever! Ships for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Release overpowered so they can beat poor players - make em big and shiny then release something better! Never fear - the whales will buy. Forever and ever. Amen.

[@LoudGuns]

And here endeth todays lesson. Can I interest you in a job scripting my YT shorts? 😂

[@camarols6712]

this game is played out its boring , its the same thing over and over ,, and the price that the ships are is an absolute rip off,, as long as this game has been in production tells the story ,,, and the amount of money they have made off of us is disgusting , the game still doesnt work ,,,