The video provides a historical review of CitizenCon, the annual event for Star Citizen, highlighting the evolution of the event over the past decade and the mixed feelings within the community regarding the game’s development and unmet promises. It reflects on the improvements in production quality and transparency in recent years, expressing hope for realistic expectations and substantial updates in the upcoming CitizenCon.
The video provides a historical review of CitizenCon, the annual event for Star Citizen, reflecting on its evolution over the past decade. The narrator discusses how each CitizenCon has varied in terms of expectations and delivery, highlighting the mixed feelings within the community regarding the game’s development. While some attendees feel that the developers have delivered on their promises, others remain skeptical, citing numerous delays and unmet expectations over the years. The review aims to set the stage for the upcoming CitizenCon by examining past events and the promises made, as well as the extent to which those promises were fulfilled.
The first CitizenCon in 2013 was characterized by a casual and unprofessional atmosphere, with a focus on introducing the team and showcasing concept art rather than concrete game mechanics. As the years progressed, the events began to take on a more structured format, with better production values and a clearer agenda. By 2014, the introduction of CryEngine developers helped improve the game’s development, but the messaging remained somewhat disjointed, primarily focusing on fan engagement rather than tangible updates on gameplay.
Significant milestones were noted in 2015 and 2016, as the developers began to showcase more concrete gameplay features, such as the persistent universe and early planetary tech demos. However, these years were also marked by high-profile disappointments, including the infamous “Answer the Call” trailer for Squadron 42, which set unrealistic expectations for the game’s release timeline. The narrator emphasizes that the messaging during these years often led to confusion and frustration among backers, as many promises were not met in subsequent updates.
By 2017, CitizenCon began to adopt a more polished format, featuring multiple panels and updates from various development teams. This year marked a shift towards a more organized presentation of progress, although issues such as misleading announcements about land claims continued to frustrate the community. The following years, particularly 2018 and 2019, saw a mix of successes and failures, including the introduction of new game modes and tech advancements, but also instances of overhyped features that did not materialize as expected.
The video concludes by reflecting on the improvements made in recent years, particularly in the production quality and transparency of information shared at CitizenCon. The narrator expresses hope that the upcoming CitizenCon will focus on realistic expectations for the game’s future and provide substantial updates on features that are genuinely on the horizon. Overall, the historical review serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the developers and the community’s evolving relationship with the ambitious project that is Star Citizen.