SaltEMike reacts to the financial statements of Star Citizen, expressing surprise at the reported figure of $834 million raised over 11 years of crowdfunding and the growing team of over 1,100 staff members. He discusses the breakdown of funding, expenses incurred by Cloud Imperium Games, the progress of Squadron 42, and hopes that revenue generated will be reinvested into the game’s development.
In a video reaction to Star Citizen’s financial statements, SaltEMike expresses surprise and curiosity about the reported figures. He notes that the game has raised $834 million over its 11 years of crowdfunding, with over 1,100 staff members and still growing. However, he questions the discrepancy between this reported amount and the $650 million figure shown on the funding tracker. SaltEMike speculates that the release of Squadron 42, the single-player component of Star Citizen, could potentially generate significant revenue for the game.
He delves into the breakdown of the funding, revealing that between 2012 and 2022, Star Citizen raised $637 million through crowdfunding and an additional $117 million from ship sales and other sources. Private investments from Clive and Keith Calder amount to $63.23 million. Combining these figures, the total funding for Star Citizen to date is estimated at around $834 million.
SaltEMike examines the expenses incurred by Cloud Imperium Games (CIG), the company behind Star Citizen. He notes that costs, including salaries and external game development, increased by 29% in 2022. The company’s financial health is described as relatively healthy, with $64.7 million in the bank at the end of 2022. However, he predicts that expenses will have increased significantly in 2023 due to the acquisition of Turbulent and the expansion of studios.
The video also discusses CIG’s progress in developing Squadron 42 and the ongoing investment in the game’s development and marketing. SaltEMike emphasizes the importance of CIG spending the money on game development and delivering a high-quality gaming experience. He concludes by stating that 2023 has been an expensive year for CIG, but the targeted investments made bring them closer to achieving their vision and mission.
SaltEMike expresses his hope that CIG will reinvest the revenue generated from Squadron 42 back into Star Citizen’s development. He emphasizes the importance of the money being spent on the game and hopes that all funds will be used to improve the game and deliver on its promises.