Battle of the Billionaires: Star Citizen, Ashes of Creation, and Your Money

The video discusses the narrator’s experiences supporting the gaming projects Star Citizen and Ashes of Creation, highlighting the contrasting public perceptions of both games, with Star Citizen often criticized as a “scam” while Ashes of Creation receives more favorable views despite some disappointment from backers. The narrator argues that Star Citizen is a mismanaged but playable project with a transparent development process, while Ashes of Creation struggles with monetization issues, ultimately suggesting that both games are unlikely to meet community expectations.

In the video, the narrator reflects on their experience of financially supporting two major gaming projects, Star Citizen and Ashes of Creation, both spearheaded by millionaires Chris Roberts and Steven Sharif. They express a mix of admiration and frustration, noting the contrasting public perceptions of the two games—Star Citizen often labeled a “scam,” while Ashes of Creation is generally viewed more favorably. The narrator delves into the reasons behind this disparity, suggesting that the community dynamics, development timelines, and the amount of money raised contribute significantly to the differing opinions.

The narrator argues that Star Citizen is not a scam but rather a mismanaged project that has struggled with development for over a decade. They emphasize that the game is playable to some extent, with a relatively low entry cost of $40, which they believe is not unreasonable compared to other modern games. They criticize the notion that its long development and high funding make it a scam, pointing out that the transparency of the game’s developers in sharing financial information and updates contrasts with the criticisms they face.

The narrator highlights the vocal and sometimes toxic community surrounding Star Citizen, which they believe contributes to the game’s negative perception. They describe some of the most ardent supporters as “brainwashed” and dismissive of valid criticism, leading to a backlash against the game. This dynamic creates a desire among detractors to see the project fail, further fueling the narrative of it being a scam, despite the game’s actual state of development.

In contrast, the narrator recounts their own experience with Ashes of Creation, noting their initial excitement and significant financial investment. However, they express disappointment with the game’s direction, particularly regarding the monetization of a battle royale mode that did not align with the expectations of backers. Despite their frustrations, the public response to Ashes of Creation has not reached the same level of disdain as that for Star Citizen, largely due to the support of prominent content creators and the community’s overall optimism.

Ultimately, the narrator concludes that both Star Citizen and Ashes of Creation are backed by wealthy individuals and are unlikely to meet the lofty expectations set by their respective communities. They argue that Star Citizen offers a more generous and engaging backer program, allowing players to feel a sense of ownership over their investments, while Ashes of Creation’s monetization strategies fall short. The video ends with a promise of future content addressing specific issues within Star Citizen and an invitation for viewer engagement.