Controversy erupts over Star Citizen's fresh 'Flight Blades' in-game purchases, with players claiming an edge in gameplay for those willing to pay - could developer trust be on the decline?
Star Citizen, the much-anticipated space simulator game, has found itself in the midst of controversy once again. The game, which was launched on Kickstarter 13 years ago and has since raised over $1 billion, has been criticised by thousands of players for its development history of underdelivering, overpromising, and asking players to spend more money on a game that might never actually release.
The latest point of contention is the introduction of Flight Blades, purchasable components in Star Citizen. Priced between $10 and $40, these components can be attached to ships, affecting their performance in space battles. Since their introduction in June 2025, the community and players of Star Citizen have criticised the promotion of pay-to-win mechanics. This backlash led the developers to make Flight Blades earnable in-game in a patch released in June 2025.
However, some versions of Flight Blades can only be obtained through real money, fueling the perception that the real-money launch of these components is damage control rather than part of the plan. The initial real-money launch of Flight Blades was temporary, according to Cloud Imperium Games (CIG), the developers of Star Citizen.
Star Citizen was initially planned to be released in 2014 but has yet to leave early access in 2025. The game entered early access in 2017 but remains stuck in alpha. Access to the game can be bought for around $40, and a free trial is available.
The controversy surrounding Star Citizen has led some players to consider alternative options. No Man's Sky, a different game, has delivered nine years of free updates and recently broke its all-time peak player count on Steam. Many players perceive No Man's Sky as a potentially more fun and cheaper option compared to Star Citizen.
The development of Star Citizen has been a rollercoaster ride for its fans. The game switched engines in 2016, and it has been a long wait since its initial launch on Kickstarter. Despite the controversies, Star Citizen continues to attract a dedicated community of players who are hopeful for its eventual release.
