It just got more difficult to get your money back if you’re unsatisfied with the progress of Star Citizen, thanks to a change in the game’s Terms of Service earlier this month.
You could just check out our list of the best space games if you didn’t fancy throwing money at a distant promise.
Released on June 10, the new TOS makes a few tweaks, but there’s one clause that stands out as particularly nasty.
Previously, players could request a refund if Star Citizen if the game wasn’t delivered within 18 months of the target date. If you’re wondering, the target date is this year, which means refunds couldn’t be requested until mid 2018.
Here’s how it was worded in the old TOS:
“RSI [Roberts Space Industries] agrees to use its good faith business efforts to deliver to you the pledge items and the Game on or before the estimated delivery date communicated to you on the Website. However, you acknowledge and agree that delivery as of such date is not a firm promise and may be extended by RSI since unforeseen events may extend the development and/or production time. Accordingly, you agree that any unearned portion of your Pledge shall not be refundable until and unless RSI has failed to deliver the relevant pledge items and/or the Game to you within eighteen (18) months after the estimated delivery date.“
It seems mid 2018 was just a bit too early, though, as the new TOS extends this period indefinitely, saying you can only get a refund if development ceases. Here’s the new TOS:
“RSI agrees to use its good faith business efforts to deliver to you the pledge items and the Game on or before the estimated delivery date communicated to you on the Website. However, you acknowledge and agree that delivery as of such date is not a firm promise and may be extended by RSI since unforeseen events may extend the development and/or production time. Accordingly, you agree that any unearned portion of your Pledge shall not be refundable until and unless RSI has ceased development and failed to deliver the relevant pledge items and/or the Game to you. (Pledges made under previous Terms of Services continue to be governed by the corresponding clause of the Terms of Services, or of the Commercial Terms, as applicable, which were in effect at the time of making the Pledge).”
Anyone who pledged before June 10 is still bound by the old TOS, fortunately. However, there’s another clause in there that also means you’re still not guaranteed to see your money back. If your money has been spent during development, which it probably has, it’s gone, say the terms. Here’s that clause:
“For the avoidance of doubt, in consideration of RSI’s good faith efforts to develop, produce, and deliver the Game with the funds raised, you agree that any Pledge amounts applied against the Pledge Item Cost and the Game Cost shall be non-refundable regardless of whether or not RSI is able to complete and deliver the Game and/or the pledge items. In the unlikely event that RSI is not able to deliver the Game and/or the pledge items, RSI agrees to post an audited cost accounting on the Website to fully explain the use of the amounts paid for Pledge Item Cost and the Game Cost. In consideration of the promises by RSI hereunder, you agree that you shall irrevocably waive any claim for refund of any Pledge that has been used for the Game Cost and Pledge Item Cost in accordance with the above.”
Thanks, Kotaku.