The developers of the ambitious space simulator Star Citizen warned players in May that with the Alpha 4.8 update, a wipe (progress reset) would be conducted:
Alpha 4.8 will feature a comprehensive wipe. This means that earned aUEC currency, purchased [with virtual currency] vehicles, items, resources, reputation progress, as well as Wikelo and Executive Hangar rewards will be reset with the launch of this update.
The developers clarified that Star Citizen players will retain blueprints, as well as "any item or vehicle tied to the account and displayed in the My Hangar section of the RSI website."
Some fans invested $25,000 in Star Citizen, earning Legatus status. They received luxurious spacecraft at their disposal, but even these individuals will face a wipe.
All players will return to starter ships purchased with real money — these can range from simple models to very premium ones.
Recently, a user with the nickname Kev69 decided to joke about this. He "complained" in the Star Citizen community that due to this wipe, he would be forced to return to a starter ship. The catch in his post is that the starter model he presented in the screenshot is the 600i Executive Edition — for Legatus status holders (which is not removed from the account during a wipe).
STARMEDIC_HQ jokingly responded that he was "sick of such poverty," and some users began posting GIFs of Woody Harrelson "wiping away tears with money." Other participants in the discussion started sharing their strategies for quick earnings — recommending engaging in cargo delivery.
The creators of Star Citizen explained that this wipe will be an important step towards stabilizing the economy as new systems are introduced:
Along with the wipe, we are also implementing additional safeguards aimed at reducing exploits and duplication issues, with further improvements planned for the future.