A Space Game Gets Real 1) Players can purchase virtual ships for $25 to $1250 (in real money) depending on model and availability. In June 2013 Star Citizen became the most crowdfunded project ever at $10 million. Many people who ponied up knew they would have to wait more than a year in some cases to play. 2) Between six and 16 thrusters move the game s ships and each one is assigned its own max power accuracy condition and response time. As a ship sustains damage and its cargo is loaded unloaded or lost its center of mass changes and the thrusters no longer operate in harmony which introduces yawing and other issues.3) Realistic G-forces affect the arc of the game. Pilots who neglect to properly stow cargo risk having it bounce free during evasive maneuvers potentially injuring crew and damaging or destroying the craft. Tempted to take on extra cargo to pad profits? That might strain the ship s components. 2011 Developers begin building Star Citizen in secret revealing just enough details to entice investors.10/10/12 Crowdfunding campaign begins and reaches its $2 million goal before the end of the month.08/29/13 A hangar module launches allowing backers to  walk around inside their ships.06/04/14 A dogfighting module releases that lets players battle the computer and other players in one of three ships.Late 2014 A first-person shooter module is set to be introduced.2015 A planet-side social module will be added allowing players to explore cities.2015 The single- player military campaign Squadron 42 is slated to release as a stand-alone game within the Star Citizen universe.Late 2015 Early public testing of the universe will begin as the game s designers pull together various modules.2016 Star Citizen will become available as a seamless universe with modding tools and the ability for players to host custom servers.This article originally appeared in the September 2014 issue of Popular Science.