Star Citizen Officially Crosses the $1 Billion Funding Raised Barrier as $5,000 Spaceship You Can't Fly In-Game Goes on Sale

May 25, 2026 - 05:28

The long-running space simulation project Star Citizen has officially crossed the $1 billion mark in total funding raised from backers. The milestone comes just days after the game's developer, Cloud Imperium Games, put a new virtual spaceship up for sale at the price of $5,000 -- a ship that players cannot actually pilot in the current version of the game.

This latest fundraising achievement cements Star Citizen as the most crowdfunded project in history, a record it has held for years. The $1 billion figure includes money raised through the sale of digital ships, packages, and other in-game items since the campaign began in 2012. Despite the massive sum, the game remains in an alpha state with no official release date.

The $5,000 ship in question is the "Legatus Pack," a bundle that includes multiple high-end vessels and exclusive items. However, many of these ships are not yet flyable in the persistent universe, meaning backers are essentially paying for promises and future content. Critics argue this practice exploits loyal fans, while supporters see it as funding the development of an ambitious, ever-expanding project. As of now, Star Citizen continues to grow in scope, but a finished product remains elusive.