I still remember being in college and hearing people in the lab next to me excitedly proclaim that they were able to pay $100 for a rare ship that has X Y Z features including handling, top speed, and fashionable interiors.

They weren't able to use the ship yet, but oh man was it a great investment for when they'd one day be able to ride them.

So fucking bizarre. But, if you have people out there thinking like my then peers, you're guaranteed to have a long term stream of income based on loose promises alone.

Haven't they made close to a billion dollars when counting the Kickstarter, starter packs sold via the website, and the "microtransactions" for things like ships (which are more macro than micro with the prices often being way over 100€)? I doubt they'll run out of money any time soon, although hookers and blow definitely aren't free

Scientology has been running strong from their grift for decades.

They are going to eventually run dry when they've burned through every ounce of their reputation. But it's a long, long path of riches and broken dreams in the meantime. By the time it's finally done, Chris and the other COs will have retired with their hundreds of millions, and they won't care.