History of Star Citizen in Timeline
Star Citizen is a multiplayer space trading and combat simulation game developed by Cloud Imperium Games, led by Chris Roberts. Originating from unrealized plans for Freelancer (2003), the game was announced in 2012 and successfully crowdfunded via Kickstarter, raising over $2 million. However, after more than a decade in development, the game remains in early access with no firm release date.
1990: Chris Roberts Joins Origin Systems
From 1990 to 1996, Chris Roberts worked at Origin Systems, where he gained recognition for the Wing Commander franchise.
1996: Chris Roberts Leaves Origin Systems
From 1990 to 1996, Chris Roberts worked at Origin Systems, where he gained recognition for the Wing Commander franchise. 1996 marked the end of Chris Roberts' time at Origin Systems.
1999: Completion of Starlancer
In 1999, Roberts' studio Digital Anvil completed Starlancer. This was followed by delays in the production of Freelancer, leading to the company's acquisition by Microsoft.
2010: Pre-Production Begins
In 2010, pre-production of Star Citizen commenced, setting the stage for its development.
2011: CryEngine 3 Chosen
In 2011, CIG initially chose Crytek's CryEngine 3 for Star Citizen’s development, recognizing its cutting-edge graphics and advanced physics.
2011: Production Starts Using CryEngine 3
In 2011, production of Star Citizen began using CryEngine 3.
October 10, 2012: Star Citizen Official Announcement at GDC
On October 10, 2012, Star Citizen was officially announced at GDC, resulting in the website crashing due to high traffic.
October 18, 2012: Kickstarter Campaign Launch
On October 18, 2012, following the GDC presentation, the company announced a Kickstarter campaign for Star Citizen.
2012: Development Start
According to financial disclosures, Star Citizen development commenced in 2012.
2012: Crowdfunding Launch
In 2012, Star Citizen began its crowdfunding campaign on its own website and Kickstarter, quickly surpassing initial target goals and adding additional stretch goals promising expanded content.
2012: Star Citizen Announcement
In 2012, Star Citizen, led by director Chris Roberts, was announced. The game had a successful Kickstarter campaign that drew over US$2 million.
2012: Crowdfunding Campaign Begins
In 2012, during the crowdfunding campaign, Chris Roberts suggested a potential release of the game in 2014, emphasizing constant iteration and updates post-launch.
2012: Derek Smart Backs Project
Independent game designer Derek Smart, one of the original early backers of the project in 2012, wrote a blog post claiming the project could never be completed as pitched, due to the project's increased scope and lack of adequate technology.
August 2013: Hangar Module Announcement
In August 2013, Chris Roberts announced the release of the Hangar Module, a way for players to explore an enclosed space and some of the completed ships. This was released on August 29.
December 2013: Arena Commander Module Delay
Originally scheduled for December 2013, the Arena Commander module was delayed by six months, ultimately releasing in June 2014.
2013: Most-Funded Crowdfunding Project
In mid-2013, Star Citizen became the "most-funded crowdfunding project anywhere", having raised US$15 million in less than a year.
June 4, 2014: Arena Commander Release
On June 4, 2014, Arena Commander, the flight combat module, was released. It allows players to test ship combat and racing.
June 2014: Arena Commander Module Release
Originally scheduled for December 2013, the Arena Commander module was delayed and released in June 2014.
August 11, 2014: Arena Commander Update
On August 11, 2014, Arena Commander was updated to open access to all players and added the Capture the Core game type.
2014: Suggested Release Date
During the 2012 crowdfunding campaign, Chris Roberts suggested that the game might be released in 2014, with constant iteration from launch. However, this release date was ultimately missed.
2014: Guinness World Record
In 2014, Guinness World Records listed the sum of US$39,680,576 pledged on Star Citizen's website as the "largest single amount ever raised via crowdsourcing". During the 2014 Gamescom event on August 15, it was announced the crowdfunding campaign had surpassed US$50 million.
2014: Initial Release Missed
In 2014, Squadron 42, the single player component of Star Citizen, missed its initial scheduled release date.
2014: Grey Market Emergence
In 2014, a grey market arose from Star Citizen's funding practices, specifically the sale of limited-run ships and the inability for players to sell ships among themselves.
2014: Comparisons to Elite: Dangerous
In 2014, as Star Citizen faced delays, comparisons were made to Elite: Dangerous, another crowdfunded space flight simulation game released in 2014.
2014: Original Squadron 42 Release Date
In 2014, during the Kickstarter campaign, Squadron 42 was originally announced for release but was subsequently delayed multiple times.
2014: Original Anticipated Launch
The original launch of Star Citizen was anticipated for 2014, but it has been repeatedly delayed.
July 2015: Smart Claims Project Cannot Be Completed
In July 2015, independent game designer Derek Smart claimed that Star Citizen could never be completed due to its increased scope and lack of adequate technology.
August 2015: Refund and Demand Letter
In August 2015, after Derek Smart's critical blog post, Cloud Imperium Games refunded him, canceled his account and Smart sent a demand letter asking for accounting records, a release date, and a refund option for other backers.
October 2015: Controversial Articles by The Escapist
Between September and October 2015, The Escapist magazine published controversial articles citing sources claiming the project was in trouble, leading to a dispute with Cloud Imperium Games.
2015: SATA Ball Announced
In 2015, a game type called SATA Ball, an in-game sport, was announced. However, it has not been implemented in the game.
2015: Star Marine Delayed Indefinitely
In 2015, issues with Star Marine's development caused significant delays, pushing its release beyond the originally expected date. Outlets began reporting that the module was "delayed indefinitely" or "cancelled".
2015: Persistent Universe Module Release
In 2015, the Persistent Universe module of Star Citizen was made available for testing to those who had pre-purchased the game.
2015: Star Marine Delay
The Star Marine module, originally scheduled for a 2015 release, was delayed until December 2016.
June 10, 2016: Terms of Service Amended Regarding Refunds
On June 10, 2016, Cloud Imperium Games amended their terms of service to remove a clause that allowed backers to procure a refund if the game had not been released within 18 months of its original estimated delivery date. The revised terms stated that refunds would only be granted if the project was abandoned by the developers.
September 2016: Kotaku UK Series on Controversies
In September 2016, Kotaku UK published a five-part series about the various controversies surrounding the Star Citizen project.
December 2016: Wired's Vaporware Award
In December 2016, Star Citizen received Wired's 2016 Vaporware Awards.
December 2016: Star Marine Module Release
The Star Marine module, originally scheduled for 2015, was delayed until December 2016.
December 23, 2016: Star Marine Release
On December 23, 2016, Star Marine was released, a year after its original projected release date.
2016: Release Window Missed
After missing the 2014 release window, a 2016 release window for Squadron 42 was suggested before being delayed indefinitely.
2016: Amazon grants Lumberyard license to Crytek.
In 2016, Amazon granted a license to its Lumberyard engine, which included rights to CryEngine in their license agreement, to Crytek.
2016: Transition to Amazon Lumberyard
In 2016, Cloud Imperium Games announced that they had transitioned to Amazon Lumberyard from CryEngine to support cloud-based networking and large-scale multiplayer infrastructure.
2016: Comparisons to Other Games
In 2016, Star Citizen was compared to No Man's Sky and Elite: Dangerous, with commentary on its ambitious nature and controversies.
January 2017: Financial Security for Squadron 42
In January 2017, Chris Roberts stated that even without further funding, there were sufficient funds to complete Squadron 42, with revenue from it potentially used for Star Citizen's completion.
March 2017: Settlement with The Escapist
In March 2017, Derek Smart wrote that Cloud Imperium Games and The Escapist had settled their dispute out of court, agreeing to delete their comments about each other.
May 19, 2017: Crowdfunding Surpasses $150 Million
On May 19, 2017, crowdfunding for Star Citizen surpassed $150 million.
September 2017: Hoax Refund Claim Reported
In September 2017, a hoax perpetrated by an anonymous Redditor claiming to have procured a US$45,000 refund was reported by Ars Technica, which later retracted the story after it was disproven.
December 2017: Early Access Release and Funding Milestone
By December 2017, Star Citizen had raised over US$170 million and released in early access, marking it as one of the highest-funded crowdfunding projects.
December 2017: Early Access Release
By December 2017, crowdfunding for Star Citizen had exceeded US$170 million with the release of the game in early access.
December 2017: Crytek Files Lawsuit Against Cloud Imperium Games
In December 2017, Crytek filed a lawsuit against Cloud Imperium Games for copyright infringement and breach of contract. The complaints included the continued use of CryEngine after the announced migration to Amazon Lumberyard, failure to disclose modifications to CryEngine, using the same engine for two separate products, and improper removal of the CryEngine logo from game materials.
2017: Development Spending
From 2012 to 2017, the company had spent US$193 million and reserved $14 million on Star Citizen's development.
2017: Early Access Release
In 2017, Star Citizen was released in early access and continues to receive updates.
2017: Announcement of Virtual Land Claims
In 2017, virtual land claims were announced for sale before being implemented in the game, which sparked criticism due to concerns over their availability and potential pay-to-win advantages. Cloud Imperium Games responded by stating that those who purchase claim licenses during the anniversary sale and those who earn in-game currency will be on equal footing.
2017: "Most Likely to Flop" Award
Massively OP awarded Star Citizen its "Most Likely to Flop" award for 2016 and again in 2017.
January 2018: Cloud Imperium Games Asks Court to Dismiss Crytek Lawsuit
In January 2018, Cloud Imperium Games asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Crytek.
July 2018: Small Claims Court Case Initiated Over Refund
In July 2018, a backer initiated a small claims court case against Cloud Imperium Games, seeking a US$4,496 refund due to disillusionment with the game's delays and changes. The court ruled against the backer, siding with Cloud Imperium Games.
August 2018: CitizenCon Livestream Monetization Attempt and Removal of In-Game Currency Cap
In August 2018, Cloud Imperium Games' attempt to monetize the live stream broadcast of the annual CitizenCon event led to online protestations, causing them to back down. Furthermore, the removal of a cap on in-game currency resulted in renewed criticism over the game's pay-to-win mechanics.
December 2018: Clive Calder Investment
In December 2018, Billionaire Clive Calder purchased a 10 percent stake in Cloud Imperium Games for US$46 million, placing the company at a $460 million valuation.
December 2018: Object Container Streaming Implementation
In December 2018, Star Citizen released a client-side version of Object Container Streaming. This technology aimed to address memory limitations on the client and server sides of the Persistent Universe.
December 2018: Judge Dismisses Some of Crytek's Claims
In December 2018, the judge dismissed claims regarding Cloud Imperium Games' right to use another game engine and their obligation to promote CryEngine in the Crytek lawsuit.
2018: Beta Stage Plan
In 2018, Cloud Imperium Games announced a plan to enter the beta stage of Squadron 42's development before the end of the first quarter of 2020.
May 2019: Amazon Email Submitted During Dismissal Motions
In May 2019, Cloud Imperium Games submitted an email sent from Amazon to Crytek stating that the company granted a license to its Lumberyard engine in 2016, which included rights to CryEngine in their license agreement.
May 2019: Allegations of Continued Ship Purchases After Lawsuit and FTC Complaints
In May 2019, a Forbes report alleged that the backer who sued Cloud Imperium Games continued to purchase ships after the lawsuit was closed. The same report noted that a Freedom of Information Act request revealed that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission had received 129 complaints about Cloud Imperium Games.
2019: Beta Release Planned for Squadron 42
In 2019, CIG stated that a beta release for Squadron 42 was planned before the end of Q2 2020, with an estimated Q3 2020 release on a now-abandoned roadmap.
2019: Quarterly Updates
In 2019, Cloud Imperium Games adopted a quarterly schedule for providing updates to the Persistent Universe module; however, concerns over its lengthy development continued.
January 2020: Crytek Files Motion to Dismiss Lawsuit
In January 2020, Crytek filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit against Cloud Imperium Games without prejudice or legal fees, with an option to resume the lawsuit following the release of Squadron 42. Cloud Imperium Games countered with a motion to dismiss with US$500,000 in legal expenses paid by Crytek.
February 2020: Crytek and Cloud Imperium Games File for Settlement Proposal
In February 2020, Crytek and Cloud Imperium Games filed for a settlement proposal, with a 30-day request to file a joint dismissal of the lawsuit with undisclosed terms.
March 2020: Additional Investment Received
In March 2020, Cloud Imperium Games received an additional $17.25 million investment, raising total private funding to $63.25 million.
March 2020: External Investment
As of March 2020, Star Citizen received US$63.25 million in external investment to fund marketing, in addition to crowdfunding and early access sales.
June 2020: Combined Sales Exceed $300 Million
Combined regular sales from early access and original crowdfunding total exceeded $300 million in June 2020.
December 2020: No Official Release Date for Squadron 42
In December 2020, Chris Roberts announced that there would be no official release date or gameplay footage of Squadron 42 shown publicly until the game is closer to completion.
2020: Shareholder Dividends
CIG financials for UK in 2020 revealed that it had paid about £1 million in dividends to shareholders.
2020: Beta Delayed Multiple Times
In 2020, The beta release date for Squadron 42 was pushed back from the first quarter to the end of the second quarter, and later to the third quarter, which passed with no news.
May 19, 2021: Hangar Module Disabled
As of May 19, 2021, Star Citizen Alpha patch 3.13.1a, the Hangar Module is disabled due to ongoing issues.
September 2021: Advertising Standards Authority Upholds Complaint Regarding Concept Ship Marketing
In September 2021, the United Kingdom's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a customer complaint citing a lack of transparency in marketing emails from Cloud Imperium Games regarding email promotions for vessels in development. The ASA requested that Cloud Imperium Games clarify that "concept ships" for sale are not yet available in the game.
November 2021: Combined Sales Exceed $400 Million
Combined regular sales from early access and original crowdfunding total surpassed $400 million in November 2021.
November 2021: New Office Announcement
In November 2021, Cloud Imperium announced it would be opening a new office in Manchester to open in May 2022, becoming the company's UK headquarters.
2021: Cloud Imperium Games Acquires CryEngine License
The annual report published by Cloud Imperium Games in 2021 revealed that Cloud Imperium Games acquired a license for CryEngine from Crytek in 2020.
May 2022: Manchester Office Opening
In May 2022, Cloud Imperium opened a new office in Manchester, becoming the company's UK headquarters.
September 2022: Combined Sales Exceed $500 Million
In September 2022, combined regular sales from early access and original crowdfunding for Star Citizen surpassed $500 million.
2022: Financial Disclosure
CIG financial disclosure for 2022 in the UK, posted in March 2024, includes details regarding the terms of an external investment in Note 28 of the report.
January 2024: Departure of Key Staff
In January 2024, live game director Todd Papy, along with several other lead staff members, left Cloud Imperium Games as part of a restructuring connected to the company's office relocation.
March 2024: Financial Disclosure Details
In March 2024, CIG's 2022 UK financial disclosure revealed investment terms with a put option allowing investors to recover their investment plus interest in 2024, 2025 and 2028.
October 2024: Mandatory 7-Day Work Week
In October 2024, preceding the annual CitizenCon event, CIG reportedly mandated a 7-day work week for employees working on deliverables for the event, aiming to finish the 3.24.2 update and a Squadron 42 gameplay demonstration.
2024: Squadron 42 Gameplay Shown
At CitizenCon 2024, gameplay parts of Squadron 42 were shown, and a release in 2026 was suggested.
April 2025: Funding Reaches $800 Million
As of April 2025, Star Citizen has reached US$800 million in combined crowdfunding and early access sales, becoming the most expensive video game ever produced.
2025: Put Option Window
Investment terms included a put option allowing investors to recover their investment plus interest at certain time windows during 2024, 2025 and 2028.
2026: Potential Squadron 42 Release
In 2024, it was suggested that Squadron 42 release in 2026, during CitizenCon.
2028: Final Put Option Window
Investment terms included a put option allowing investors to recover their investment plus interest at certain time windows during 2024, 2025 and 2028.
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