Cloud Imperium apparently met with representatives of the Better Business Bureau in California for an “introductory meeting” that the Star Citizen studio described as “cordial and constructive.”
Polygon reported last night that that meeting with the consumer advocacy group was arranged at the request of CIG following the news of two high-value ($25000 and $16700) refund requests that had allegedly been given the runaround (and indeed, refunds after a long period of time are seldom given by CIG at all). One of those fans had apparently filed a complaint with the BBB.
But BBB CEO Steve McFarland seems pretty pleased with the way CIG, which is not a member of the BBB, is handling backers, particularly in regard to the public roadmap of the game’s production. He said that his goal for the the meeting was “to encourage CIG to improve communications and transparency on their production schedules to existing and new clients that may reduce confusion and frustration on future product/revision deliveries” – delivery issues apparently being “the most common BBB consumer complaint.”
“CIG was quite receptive to my requests and appears, at least for now, to be making worthwhile improvements,” he reportedly said. “Let’s hope they continue on this path.”
CIG further said it believed the BBB wasn’t concerned about the number of complaints because of its size and history and A+ rating with the organization. At the present, the game has raised over $178 million in crowdfunds from gamers, only $2 million of which was pledged during the game’s 2012 Kickstarter, which estimated a November 2014 launch. As of 2018, the game is still in alpha.
