Star Citizen has now raised more than US$33 million (NZ$40.48 million) via crowdfunding.

The game is already the most popular crowdfunded project ever. In July, it raced past the previous crowdfunding record holder, the $10.3 million-funded Pebble Watch.

Star Citizen is a sci-fi trading and combat simulator set in a persistent universe. It is in development at Cloud Imperium Games, and is the brainchild of Chris Roberts, an auteur developer known for his previous work on titles such as Wing Commander and Freelancer.

The game is currently a PC exclusive. Backers recently expressed concern over a PlayStation 4 development kit spied in the background of a video featuring the project’s chief technical officer Jason Spangler.

In response to those apprehensions, Chris Roberts didn't rule out a console release, but said that the PC edition of Star Citizen will “never be dumbed down for a lesser platform.”

Star Citizen is expected to release in 2014.