Long time backer here with a significant investment in SC. I bought into the dream of a "sandbox" where we could play the space game of our dreams. My dream was Privateer taken to an epic level, and IMHO that was pretty much what I was promised. But I can't help but sense a rising level of panic among your company. The latest move simply makes it more apparent. A linear "exploration sandbox adventure" that's anything but from the remarks I've read. It reeks of a desperate move to keep the rabble in line. And as you can see it's failing. More and more people are moving from the ranks of the "it's an alpha" group to the "the game is floundering" side. IMHO it's because hype can only take you so far, and the SC/SQ42 hype train is starting to lose steam. Developers and CIG it's got you this far which is quite an accomplishment. But now's the time to put up or shut up because you really are losing your base with every stumble you make. There needs to be a "come to Jesus" moment where you all sit down and start thinking beyond the hype. Come up with a real game plan to get us back on board instead of trying to dazzle us with flash. I predict if you don't things will end badly... for all of us.