Cross post of a response I have a backer that seems to be quitting SC due to not understanding alpha.
While many of the posts here are...well, harsh at the very least, and many outright rude, there Is some truth behind it. Now, as many have said, this game is currently in alpha status. For a better understanding, please see this page in Wikipedia
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_release_life_cycle
Computer games go through many cycles and phases before they are released. Typically in pre alpha, they are developing The design documentation, and then maybe writing the basic engine or putting together the framework on while the game will run. If you were building a house, this is creating the blueprints and maybe putting in the foundation.
The next phase is alpha. This is where you are going through and developing the features you said you wanted in the design documentation. This includes people moving, getting into and out of vehicles, being able to switch from controlling a person to controlling a ship. implementing the flight and combat characteristics you want. Developing trading and hauling mechanics and implementing a basic test bed for an economy. (this is about where we are now). Later on, you might implement banking, warehousing goods, trading between individuals, resource gathering, etc. again, all of this is during alpha. Going back to building a house. This is putting up the frame of the house, installing the electrical wiring, plumbing, HV/AC etc.
then comes early beta or sometimes closed beta. This is when all of the basic structure and features of the game are complete and you start optimizing the code, do balance passes, and in general, start making the game look and function as you intend to in the final version. This is where you start putting up the drywall/plaster, installing the cabinets, faucets, countertops, flooring, siding, shingles, etc.
After early beta comes late beta or open beta. Here you are doing the final polish passes, perform stress tests, etc. for the most part, the game is now in the final expected form with no major changes planned outside balance or optimization. In the house analogy, this is painting the walls any color but the builder white already done, installing the right trim, and putting In the major appliances like the cooktop, oven, refrigerator, etc. Your release candidates come from this phase.
Release. This is when most games go live, and are available for purchase and download. In this phase, the house has been fully inspected and the city has given an occupancy permit allowing the owners to move in.
When I say most games, I do not include star citizen in that. This game is way back in alpha where you are still building the frame of the house. In this case, the builders are letting us come in and see how they are building it, and where everything is going. Based on our feedback, they may even make changes like how big a stove you can fit, where the outlets are in a room, and maybe even how big the windows are in the kitchen. The floors are not installed, the windows are not in, and the electrical is still being put in, but the water and gas lines are run.
Please be patient. If all you want is the finished game, come back when it is complete. If you want to help to contribute to the development of the game and provide feedback on what is fun and what is not, then please stay and help test and provide feedback.
hope this helped