For all intents and purposes the game is already released. They are basically advertising it as a released game (see if you can find the single reference to "alpha" here: https://robertsspaceindustries.com/star-citizen), in game purchases have been live for years, you can grind and save your progress etc etc. It's a live service game just like any other, practically speaking. Source: 11 months ago

Open a incognito browser window and follow the experience of a new potential player. Here's the first page you'll land on: https://robertsspaceindustries.com/star-citizen. Source: 11 months ago

There are two components to Cloud Imperium Games' (CIG) project. Star Citizen is the MMO component, a first-person experience in a simulated 30th-century universe. Squadron 42 is the single-player component, a story-driven campaign where you enlist as a UEE Navy combat pilot. Our current understanding is you will be given the option of having your Squadron 42 character, who musters out of the Navy at the... Source: about 1 year ago

Just go to https://robertsspaceindustries.com/star-citizen and it's clear as day. The whole thing is written in the present tense, with big play now buttons and like 2 small disclaimers saying "Note: Star Citizen Alpha 3.18 is currently available to download and play. Additional features and updates will be released as they are developed." as the only disclaimer. Literally anybody not intimately familiar with Star... Source: about 1 year ago

Https://robertsspaceindustries.com/star-citizen is broken for some reason, did not spent the time debugging. Page just will freeze at some point, possibly some js error. Source: about 1 year ago

It's also called "SaaS management" or "software asset management" e.g. zylo.com bettercloud.com or blissfully.com. Source: over 2 years ago