Star Citizen
A space simulation game in prolonged early access development.
Star Citizen is a multiplayer space trading and combat simulation video game being developed by Cloud Imperium Games for Windows. The project, directed by Chris Roberts, is an extended attempt to revive ideas originally planned for the 2003 game Freelancer. It was announced in 2012, and a subsequent Kickstarter campaign raised more than US$2 million. Over a decade into development, no date has been given for when the game will leave early access.
Cloud Imperium Games began releasing parts of the game, called "modules," in 2013, allowing players to test features before the full release. The "Persistent Universe" module became available for testing to those who had pre-purchased the game in 2015, and Star Citizen entered early access in 2017, receiving updates since then. The game has faced criticism during its lengthy development, particularly for the lack of a clear early access end date and difficulties backers have encountered when seeking refunds. Originally expected to launch in 2014, the release has been delayed multiple times.
After the Kickstarter campaign concluded, Cloud Imperium Games continued raising money by selling ships and other in-game content. This monetization model has led to further criticism and legal challenges. Star Citizen is one of the most-funded crowdfunding projects ever. As of 2024, combined crowdfunding and early access sales had surpassed US$1 billion, making it one of the most expensive video games to develop and one of the costliest single pieces of entertainment produced.
**Gameplay**
Star Citizen blends elements of space simulators, first-person shooters, and massively multiplayer online games across four playable modes, known as modules. Each module offers a different player experience. Three of them—Hangar, Arena Commander, and Star Marine—showcase features that also appear in the Persistent Universe module, but each has its own mechanics.
**Hangar Module**
In the Hangar Module, players can explore or modify their purchased ships that have been publicly released and interact with ship systems, though flying is not possible. Decorations and flair can be placed and arranged in the hangar. As of Star Citizen Alpha patch 3.13.1a, released May 19, 2021, the Hangar Module remains accessible, though it has been subject to periodic updates and changes.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Star Citizen
- Developer
- Cloud Imperium Games
- Engine
- StarEngine
- Platform
- Windows
- Released
- Early access / December 23, 2017
- Genre
- MMO · Space trading and combat · First-person shooter · Immersive sim · Science fiction
- Modes
- Single-player (Squadron 42, multiplayer
- Director
- Chris Roberts
- Writer
- Dave Haddock · Will Weissbaum · Adam Wieser · Cherie Heiberg
- Composer
- Pedro Camacho · Geoff Zanelli
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Star Citizen combines features from space simulator, first-person shooter, and massively multiplayer online genres across four playable modules: Hangar, Arena Commander, Star Marine, and Persistent Universe. The Hangar Module allows players to explore or modify purchased ships and has remained accessible through updates, including after Alpha patch 3.13.1a. Arena Commander is an in-fiction space combat simulator with game types including Free Flight, Vanduul Swarm, Capture the Core, racing, Battle Royale, Team, and Pirate Swarm. Star Marine is an in-fiction ground combat simulator with two maps and two game types: Elimination and Last Stand.
Reader's Guide
Star Citizen is significant as one of the highest-funded crowdfunding projects in history, with combined crowdfunding and early access sales passing US$1 billion as of May 2026, making it one of the most expensive video games to develop and among the most expensive single pieces of entertainment produced. Its development has been marked by repeated delays—originally anticipated for 2014—and ongoing criticism over the lack of a clear end date for early access and challenges backers face in obtaining refunds. The game's monetization models, including continued sale of ships and in-game content after the initial Kickstarter, have led to further criticism and legal issues. The Persistent Universe module, released for testing in 2015 and in early access since 2017, continues to receive updates. Squadron 42, a story-based single-player game set in the same universe, was announced for 2014 but delayed multiple times; at CitizenCon 2024 first gameplay was shown and a 2026 release suggested, with an August 2026 announcement targeting Q2 2027.
Did You Know?
- Star Citizen was announced in 2012 and its Kickstarter campaign drew over US$2 million.
- As of May 2026, combined crowdfunding and early access sales had passed US$1 billion.
- The Hangar Module has been disabled since Alpha patch 3.13.1a due to ongoing issues.
- Squadron 42 was originally announced for release in 2014 but has been delayed multiple times, with a Q2 2027 window suggested in August 2026.
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