Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) has faced criticism for its decision to introduce flight blades in Star Citizen, with the community raising concerns over pay-to-win mechanics. The upgrade allowed players to purchase real-world money or in-game currency (aUEC) versions of ship upgrades, including flight blades that could make ships faster or more maneuverable. This led some players to believe they were being sold as a “pay-to-win” item.
In response to the backlash, CIG announced that it was pushing back the release of the real-world money version of flight blades and instead made them available through in-game currency for future gameplay kit introductions. The company cited a busy development schedule, which involved releasing 11 patches this year, as a reason for the delay.
CIG’s community director, Tyler Witkin, explained that the upgrade was intended to allow players to contribute to the game’s development and receive rewards for their efforts. However, the introduction of real-world money items has sparked debate over the company’s approach to pricing in Star Citizen.
While some players have expressed happiness with paying for certain items, such as the Greycat MTC, others argue that components should only be available through gameplay mechanics, not sold on the store for real money. The incident highlights ongoing concerns within the community about CIG’s monetization strategy and its impact on the overall player experience.
As development of Star Citizen and Squadron 42 continues, there is still no firm release date for either game.
Source: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/sim/after-raising-over-usd800-million-from-its-community-star-citizens-developer-delays-the-release-of-a-new-ship-upgrade-as-players-baulk-at-having-to-pay-for-it