The video discusses the upcoming reset of Star Citizen’s referral program by Cloud Imperium Games, which will erase years of progress for dedicated backers who have recruited new players, leading to frustration and disappointment within the community. While the new program promises better rewards, the lack of carryover for existing referrals is seen as a disregard for the loyalty and contributions of long-time supporters.
The video discusses the significant changes to the Star Citizen referral program announced by Cloud Imperium Games (CIG), set to take effect on July 1st. This reset will erase years of accumulated efforts from dedicated backers who have worked hard to recruit new players. The referral program, which has been in place for over a decade, rewarded backers with various incentives based on the number of new players they brought into the game. However, the upcoming changes mean that everyone will start from scratch, leading to frustration among those who have invested considerable time and effort into the program.
The announcement indicates that the old referral system will be replaced with a revamped version that promises better rewards, including more frequent unlocks and a higher starting bonus for new recruits. Despite these improvements, the existing referrals will not carry over, which has angered many long-time backers. The video highlights the disappointment of players who were close to achieving significant milestones, such as unlocking exclusive ships, only to have their progress reset.
The narrator emphasizes the emotional impact of this decision, particularly for players who have dedicated years to building the community and achieving referral milestones. They cite examples of backers with varying referral counts, illustrating how the reset affects different players differently. While some may recover quickly due to their established systems for recruiting, others face a devastating loss of their hard-earned progress.
The video argues that while an update to the referral program may be necessary, the way CIG is implementing the reset is problematic. The narrator believes that a better approach would have been to maintain the existing referral counts while introducing new rewards, allowing veteran backers to feel recognized for their efforts. This reset is seen not just as a change to the program but as a disregard for the loyalty and contributions of long-standing supporters.
In conclusion, the video raises questions about the future of the referral program and its impact on the community. While CIG promises a better system, the narrator expresses skepticism about whether it can justify the erasure of a decade’s worth of progress. The video invites viewers to share their thoughts on whether this change is a necessary evolution or a betrayal of the loyal backers who have supported the game throughout its development.