I’ve been an SC Concierge Backer going on four years now. I love this game and I also love the crowd-funding open development model. While it has its problems, having the opportunity to be part of the dev process while the game is being built is extraordinary and a rare privilege. As with all collaborative efforts, communication and constructive feedback is essential to optimizing results, and it’s no different with Star Citizen. While there are a number of forums for gathering Community feedback, in my opinion there is a need for a “collective backer voice.” By having a greater number of aligned voices, (as in a committee that truly represents a larger constituancy of backers) we might be able to provide CIG with a more persuasive case for making the kind of changes we feel are needed. (The "changes" at this point have to do with focusing more on QoL issues so the alpha is more stable.) While some may not see the need for such a voice, or for this change, I and others believe it is important, and so we have created a Discord Server “SC(R)evolution” where we can gather and collaborate on how best to make our case to CIG for positive change. Here is our SC(R) Mission Statement: The SC(R)evolution’s mission is to gather a constituency of backer who will speak up together and request that CIG better balance the addition of new features with ensuring Quality of Life issues. The intent is to both forward the alpha development as well as ensure a minimally playable experience for the 2+ million customers who've invested in this game. We will also serve as "a voice of conscience" for keeping CR and CIG on-track with things like monetization, "pay-to-play" concerns, how and when ships are sold, and game mechanics that support all player preferences. (Note: "I" will not speak for the movement, but rather "we" will work together as a committee with our communications to CIG being based on majority vote.) To be clear, what the SC(R)evolution will focus on is convincing CR and CIG to alocate more resources towards stabilizing the existing game code so that when backers and new potential customers engage with the PU they have at least a minimal playable experience, just enough positive gameplay to keep their interest, as well as to have them feel good about inviting new backers to join in. This does not mean CIG should abandon adding new features, but rather better balance the integration of new features with much needed QoL improvements. SC(R) is also a proactive movement that is in support of CIG's good works and not in opposition to them. We all know the game is in development and needs much more work in order to be playable. At the same time, by trying to stick to unrealistic roadmap goals and quarterly release deadlines, QoL suffers, which make the alpha nearly unplayable and untestable. I’ve been a Wave 1 tester for a year now and I've seen build after build struggle with many of the same underlying bugs, server disconnects and issues that just don’t get fixed. And while SSOCS and Meshing is in the works, I believe by focusing more on platform stability, getting group and teaming working, improving mission integrity and game loop performance it will encourage greater backer participation as well as quell the gaming world's negative perceptions about SC. There are a number of benefits to this approach. 1. By making the developing alpha more playable, it will encourage players and testers to stay involved rather than getting discouraged and spending their time and money elsewhere in the gaming world. 2. It will help to minimize the negative PR about Star Citizen’s poor performance to the greater global gaming community. (Managing perceptions is vitally important in order to encourage new backers, gamers and subscribers.) 3. It will encourage new players to join us and foster greater ships sales among new backers and those who are already invested in the game. While it's a valid argument that the features need to go into the alpha first, here's why I also believe that QoL issues need more attention as those features are added: - By opting to add a glut of new features without also focusing more on QoL improvements, the "promises" far outweigh the "deliverables." - The more broken promises and poor performance, the less trust there is in the project, and with less trust comes less investment. - Without at least a minimal game play excperience, backers will stop buying ships, new-comers won't come and funding will suffer. - Also the gaming world (and the likes of Forbes) will gather more evidence for how SC is a scam, putting new players off. - As funding drops and PR tanks, there will be big CIG layoffs and the game development will suffer far more than focusing on QoL issues. CR is betting on SQ42 to save the day, but I firmly believe the very same delays will plague its release, and by mid-year next year, we will see a meltdown that very well might be irreversible. And we the backers are placing our hope in SSOCS and Server Meshing, but I again firmly believe that these upgrades will not address the imbalanced feature bloat to technology capability ratio. And finally, by hiding behind the belief that because SC is still in alpha no one should expect to have any fun playing is off-base and will blind us all from noticing the slow demise of this "living breathing universe." So am I right or wrong suggesting this (R)evolution? We will see. The ultimate test will be whether or not the majority of backers keep funding the project through making purchases, and just how many new game packages are sold this year. Let's watch and see. If I'm wrong, I'm sure you'll let me know . . . but if I'm right, will you give me the same consideration? Feel free to comment and agree or disagree, but if you see value in what I'm saying, please share the Discord link with those who might want to organize. SC(R)evolution Discord Link: https://discord.gg/6rhZPEC New Development The Naysayes Won't Like . . . But Too Bad Erin Roberts just acknowledged the need for the alpha to be more playable for backers. My point has been validated in this vid clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqy8MmUUyYs&feature=em-uploademail