Video games are notoriously expensive to produce, with the budgets for large-budget titles being trade secrets. But over the years, some of them have leaked out through various sources, showing lavish expenditure on large-budget AAA titles like Grand Theft Auto V, Cyberpunk 2077, etc. Recently, a court filing exposed that Activision had spent over $700 million on Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. But of all the most surprising examples is the case of Star Citizen, a game which, owing to its scope, may soon enter the $1 billion barrier. According to the reports, the game has already amassed more than $802 million in funding, making it the most expensive video game ever created.
What is Star Citizen video game that may soon become the most expensive game
Star Citizen is a first-person space shooter and MMORPG open-world game created by Cloud Imperium Games. Launched in 2012, the game was constructed with the aim to create a universe so expansive that players would “forget it’s a game.” Covering a massive universe, players can either play a one-player experience or venture out and complete missions among friends in multiplayer. Four basic playable modes, referred to as modules, are available in the game, offering various gameplay experiences while having some basic mechanics.
When Star Citizen was initially revealed, the developers had planned a 2014 release, but the scale and complexity of the game caused immense delays. With the development ongoing, the studio encountered a variety of challenges that continued to delay the release further. Star Citizen came out in early access in 2017, yet despite there being regular updates, it is still in this state as of 2025 with no release date in sight. The ambition of creating this massive, intricate universe has meant the game is still far from complete.
Star Citizen video game: From humble beginnings to record-breaking crowdfunding success
Star Citizen first started with a modest $2 million Kickstarter project, which exceeded its goal sum without difficulty. From there, the game company switched to ongoing funding through the sale of virtual ships and other virtual items. It worked, and by 2017, Star Citizen had made over $170 million, placing it as one of the highest-funded crowdfunding efforts in history. The funding for the game has only grown since then, with the studio bringing in over $100 million annually since 2022, bringing the cumulative amount to over $750 million as of last November.
The continued funding success of the game has, however, caused immense controversy. Cloud Imperium Games delayed several features that were promised, including the single-player Squadron 42 mode, which, upon testing for release, was filled with technical issues, including freezes, crashes, and lags. Gamers were frustrated with the experience, and some found it unplayable. This has driven widespread condemnation, with news outlets calling it one of the biggest crowdfunding scams ever due to its lengthy development, vague release schedules, and questionable in-game monetization practices.
Star Citizen’s monetisation controversy and its loyal fanbase
One of the main sources of controversy over Star Citizen has been the game’s monetisation plan. The game is accused of having a “pay-to-win” system, where players can purchase in-game ships and other resources using real money, and in most instances, get an advantage over other players. This has been the cause of negative publicity in the media and a critical public, but despite these allegations, the game continues to receive funding from players worldwide. Cloud Imperium Games has regularly put out new content and tried to patch bugs, which has made the game playable, but the question is whether or not this will suffice to keep players satisfied in the long term.
Despite its issues, Star Citizen has managed to maintain a dedicated player base. The game has gained much popularity on websites like YouTube, where players upload videos of their experience in the universe, flying spaceships, attacking pirates, mining asteroids, looting enemies, and exploring distant planets and star systems. Although it’s hard to know how many active players are currently playing the game, it still manages to capture the imagination of many.
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