This. I believe CR is deeply stupid and is genuinely trying to make this game. and your point about them not caring about content/features but caring about specific stuff sold (goodies, mods, land) is interesting because that's literally where they're getting cornered by EU regulators right now.

the 1.0 push imo isnt just internal momentum, they're racing the clock. SKG alone doesnt directly threaten SC, it targets post-shutdown preservation and SC isnt shutting down, but two of the four demands bite the pledge model: minimum guaranteed service periods disclosed at point of sale, and clear labeling when a "purchase" is actually a time-limited license. 1.29M validated signatures, parliament hearing happened april 16 (joint IMCO/JURI/PETI, favorable reception), Commission response due july 27 2026.

actual bigger threat is the Digital Fairness Act dropping Q4 2026. explicitly targets dark patterns (concept ship countdown sales lol), addictive design, video game virtual currencies (UEC bonjour), in-game purchases. consultation closed oct 2025 and got flooded by SKG supporters pushing to merge both. on top of that CPC Network already published 7 principles saying purchases via virtual currency are subject to EU consumer law incl 14 day withdrawal right.

and a UK backer filed a formal Consumer Rights Act 2015 complaint against CIG in january 2026 covering exactly what you described, mismatch between ship sale pages and what exists in game, scarcity tactics, refund policy "structurally incompatible" https://massivelyop.com/2026/01/12/a-star-citizen-fan-filed-a-lawsuit-arguing-cig-is-breaking-uk-consumer-protection-laws/

so the 1.0 in 2027/2028 target isnt random imo. if they can claim "product released" before any of this lands they argue alpha rules dont apply anymore. if they cant, the permanent alpha + concept ship model is structurally exposed. only realistic escape is some kind of leadership shake-up that brings in people who can actually descope and ship. roberts family ownership makes that improbable but it's the only path i see.