Personally I'm not expecting 2.0 to drop, I think we'll get an update on it, some fluff and pretty stuff then more promises of it being soon. This is publicity ahead of a sale. I'm not massively fussed about the delays though, I'm use to it now.
Dont really get the basis of that comment tbh, its been content complete since the end of last month (~3wks), and its just a matter of hammering out the bugs as they're found.
I wonder if it's gonna be more profitable to release this game, or just keep it in development ad infinitum while people are happy to keep chucking money at it
Nah, i think they'd much rather drop the 'pay2win' tag they get branded with, and the reality is that as soon as the game is released then players will still be able to purchase ships with cash, they'll just have to buy UEC credits to the weekly limit each week and then use those credits in-game. Not the same as throwing $100 at a ship, but if they let people buy $50 credits each week then they'll still have people doing it rather than spending say 10hrs to earn it (or buy $25 + 5hrs in-game).
Theres also a lot of people who are simply waiting for the release, and while the game might reach the same features under a 'beta' phase, some people will still simply wait for the release.
Lastly, i dont think its ideal having the game 5-6-7yrs in development and still not released. The way its being planned is that they'll be working on it long after release and adding more content.
A lot of that will be funded by UEC credits being sold, but also through story-DLC packs, like a Vanduul DLC where you'd get to go through a SP campaign as a Vanduul soldier, and CIG would create the storyline and new ships, planets etc which would become part of the persistent universe to everyone (non-divisive DLC). Theres definitely 2, possibly 3 'chapters' to SQ42 (#1 being the initial release, #2 being free-DLC very early backers got (like sub-$10m) and im sure ive heard theres a 3rd too).
Theres plenty of revenue to access, LEGO are already considering doing the
Anvil Hornet, as part of a community vote and internal selection of the months best selections, and i believe it just hangs on a yes/no vote from LEGO HQ. Personally, i'd rather they didnt, and did a small Star Citizen range around launch - Hornet, Freelancer, Constellation & Idris for example.
Licensing could end up being a very useful source of income they dont have right now. You cant really tap that market when the product isnt available in the shops or really released because its still largely considered incomplete.
Heres all the Lego ships people have built and submitted:
https://ideas.lego.com/discover#search/q:star%20citizen/s:most_recent&scroll=2446
Imagine having those as part of an official range, with CIG approval on each model. How cool would it be to be able to buy things like a Dumpers Depot store and build your own planetside area. 10-20yrs ago it probably wouldnt be remotely possible, but these days theres TONS of different ranges. Not simply space, city, pirates, castles etc as ranges.
