Star Citizen Critic Fights Back, Accuses Dev Of Libel And False Light

Industry veteran Derek Smart has written once again about Star Citizen. This time, he addresses the things Cloud Imperium Games and Roberts Space Industries have done and said to him after he shared his skepticism about the game’s progress, scope, and budget. You can read our prior coverage here.

You may have already heard of Cloud Imperium Games refunding Derek Smart over his criticism of Star Citizen. Today, he points out that he did not ask for a refund, and in fact, rather than address these criticisms, Cloud Imperium chose to accuse him of being a hack, attacking Star Citizen to promote his own game, Line of Defense. In Derek’s own words:

1. I was not a supporter, but I backed the project right from the beginning. And like everyone else, patiently waited for it to become a reality.
2. Me, being someone with, you know, shipped products spanning many years, who isn’t trading on legacy products (see Wing Commander) from back when DOS was a thing, would somehow see some real wisdom in promoting my current game, Line Of Defense, through what is, for all intent and purposes, glorified vaporware.
3. Me, being someone who has never – ever – posted on any RSI forum, or chat, has somehow broken these strict ToS rules for using their forums and chat for “self-promotion“.
4. Me, who, after being one of the first backers with $250, and who, has been following the project since Oct 2012 – never saying anything, writing tomes or any of the sort, now somehow didn’t care about the project.
5. Me, who, after extensive – and costly – research, wrote up two articles, drawing attention to various signs that point to the project being in trouble if they didn’t get their collective act in gear, somehow didn’t care about the backers, or a good game being made.
6. Me, who has been so irrelevant over the years that, the very mention of my name in some circles, has been known to make grown men weep in their Cornflakes; a man who has the ability to command an audience, get their attention, and get results, somehow is now relying on vaporware to make himself relevant.

On the side, an unlikely consequence of these events is people started getting curious about refunds. This is not something Cloud Imperium Games offers, although Derek points out, being one of the original Kickstarter backers himself, that Kickstarter’s terms are more accommodating to refunds than those on the crowdfund Cloud Imperium Games organized themselves.

Derek deftly explains that this is a case of false light, as well as libel. Cloud Imperium Games claimed Derek used their forums to promote his game, when he never used their forum or community tools, and restricted his criticism of the company to his own site.

Again, to quote Derek:

This was part of a concerted effort to disparage me, and kick me out as a backer who would then have less of a standing to continue questioning them about this project. In other words, retaliation for my writing these articles, and voicing these concerns.

Ultimately, Derek points out what everyone should be asking Cloud Imperium Games now: they have yet to address any of the seven issues he had original point out. Derek has challenged Chris, and his wife Sandra Roberts, to either let go as owners of the company, refund all the backers, or hire a forensics accountant and executive producer to independently audit the project.  Otherwise, he will keep talking about Star Citizen’s issues until action is taken.

Interestingly enough, as you see in our cover pic, Derek shared a pic of his Star Citizen backer card as proof that he is who he says he is.

What do you think of Star Citizen at this point? If Cloud Imperium Games is on the level, why can't they answer these questions? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.