

They roar as the 50-year-old Englishman jumps onto the stage and a big screen lights up with the latest test version of Star Citizen. But despite the disappointments and delays, this crowd is cheering for Roberts. But after seven years of work, no one-least of all Roberts-has a clue as to when it will be done. An epic sci-fi fantasy, Star Citizen was supposed to be finished in 2014. Most of the people here helped to pay for the game’s development-on average, $200 each, although some backers have given thousands. It’s October 2018 and 2,000 video game fanatics are jammed into Austin’s Long Center for the Performing Arts to get a glimpse of Star Citizen, the sprawling online multiplayer game being made by legendary designer Chris Roberts.
