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Thork has never seen a crowdfunded game before.
I... don't even...
You have to buy the game then pay an extra $30 minimum to play it?
No, you get a starter ship for backing the game at $30. All of the ships can be purchased in game using only in game money and the developers have said repeatedly they won't even be difficult to earn in game. Once the game is released you won't be able to buy ships anymore, as the ships are only pledges. While I admit they have been sucking money out of people like vampires, I don't see why they would refrain from doing so, they don't have a publisher or investors, the game's lead designer is also the CEO of the company (that he created solely to make the game).