Video games are becoming more expensive and taking longer to make these days, yet one PC-exclusive title really takes the cake in both regards, having accrued a budget of over $1 billion across its 13 year development history.
While it's unlikely to have the highest budget of any game in the industry – as that title will likely be claimed by GTA 6 when it eventually releases, especially following the delays – it's definitely the largest in terms of games from an independent studio, especially as it's almost entirely crowd funded.
Of course, we're talking about none other than Star Citizen, the multiplayer space-based immersive MMO that has become somewhere between a meme and a cautionary tale in the wider gaming community.
It was first announced by developer Cloud Imperium Games in 2012, and was the recipient of an incredibly successful Kickstarter campaign, earning over $2 million in the process.
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The game was eventually 'released' into early access in 2017 following the option to pre-purchase two years prior, yet remains in an unfinished state with no end in sight.
Despite initial plans being for the game to release fully in 2014, millions are still buying into the project over a decade later, and it has now passed $1 billion in early access sales, offering players 'game packages' that range from $45 to over $1,000 for the 'ultimate' experience.
If you wanted to give the game a try without committing the equivalent of a small car, however, you're in luck as Star Citizen is free to all players for a limited period of time, as reported by Game Rant.
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This comes in conjunction with the ongoing Intergalactic Aerospace Expo 2955 event, giving everyone access to the game until December 3 for no extra cost, and it might be exactly what you need to take the plunge — although don't go in with any expectation of your purchase ever leading to a completed product.
Alongside the free trial you'll also be able to try out nearly 200 different ships, with "perennial classics built for every type of pilot" according to the developers themselves.
Unfortunately you won't be able to play it on Steam as Star Citizen is exclusively accessed through its own bespoke launcher, which you can download from the Roberts Space Industries website.
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This isn't the first time the game has gone free for a limited time event and definitely won't be the last either, but if you've never played Star Citizen or haven't seen what updates in recent years have brought to the game, there's no better time than now to check it out.