Star Citizen is a $90 million project that has had its fair share of criticism lashed at it over the last few months.
The Escapist has published an extensive story detailing the supposed problems relating to developer Cloud Imperium Games and CEO Chris Roberts.
The article includes allegation relating to the company's wasteful spending in relation to Star Citizen, declining resources, and the closure of the Austin studio.
CIG did not respond by the time the article was published, but shortly afterwards Roberts released his reponse publicly. CIG says this was sent to The Escapist three hours before the deadline. In response, The Escapist claims CIG only replied to the managing editor, who requested comment from the developer, and not other staff members.
Roberts discussed all of the core allegations in the developer comments from both current and former employees about Roberts' abilities as CEO and the work environment.
The Escapist's sources claim only $8 million of the game's $90 million crowdfunding revenue remains due to spending on voiceover talnt and ideas that have been axed.
While Roberts wasn't asked for a direct comment on this figure, but he implies the company has additional revenue sources. “The company uses additional sources of funding such as tax incentives, marketing, and product partnerships, but we do not discuss these issues in public for obvious reasons,” Roberts commented. “We always keep a healthy cash reserve and operate our business prudently based on the incoming revenue.”
Roberts says the amount spent on voice acting was normal. The voice cast of the single player campaign stretch goal, called Squadron 42, will be announced next week.
Addressing another point, that the studio is in an extensive downsizing phase, Roberts said, “It should tell you something that we are actually increasing our global headcount not decreasing it despite the inaccurate rumors perpetuated by Derek Smart.”
Roberts also firmly denies reports that of layoffs and news of the closure of its Austin office. “All Austin employees have been advised of a fairly minimal restructuring where some roles have been moved to LA or Europe for overall team efficiency,” Roberts commented. “The majority of our Texas employees will remain in the Austin studio (indefinitely, by the way). As I’ve mentioned previously we are actually increasing our worldwide headcount in order to complete the game as effectively as possible.”
The Escapist also has claims relating to Turbulent, a digital production company with which CIG has a partnership. The report states that CIG plans to sell its in-house crowdfunding platform to Turbulent.
“CIG benefited from pre-existing software that Turbulent had developed,” Roberts explained. “Our [joint venture] with them allowed us access to cheaper rates and bound an important part of Star Citizen closer to CIG, which are both beneficial to CIG and the backers. Per our agreement Turbulent is of course free to offer their technology to other customers.”
Also included in the article is a series of personal issues with Roberts and other senior managment brought by anonymous former CIG employees. The sources say Roberts is using company funds, including crowdfunding money, on personal extravagances, which Roberts says is completely false.
“No crowdfunding monies are used for any private purposes – these allegations are completely false and defamatory,” Roberts claimed. “This is pure innuendo for nefarious purposes and I guarantee that anyone making this claim will be unable to show any proof of it as it simply hasn’t happened. Ever since Wing Commander came out I’ve been lucky enough to be financially independent, driven nice cars and lived in nice houses. That’s due to money earned through royalties, the sale of Origin to Electronic Arts, Digital Anvil to Microsoft, and prudent investing.”
Though Roberts denies The Escapist's claims about the problems with the game and the state of CIG, the first person shooter module has been delayed and many feel CIG has been poor at communication with backers.
