It really isn't though. For one you don't "have" to buy anything except a starter package for $45, everything else is optional if you want to support development. There also isn't really a "win condition," there's PvP, but it's not like ranked matches or whatever.

Also those people buying the largest most expensive ships are going to be in for a rude awakening. You will have costs for managing ships that currently isn't in the game, but when it is I imagine the big spenders will bankrupt themselves (in game currency). There's also the fact that ships larger than a one seater will need crew so you can't really do much with them on your own.

The prices of ships can be absurd, but I think the people that buy them are just shooting themselves in the foot. I've been a backer since 2014 and aside from the starter ship I only bought one "extra" cheap shuttle because I love having access to it through any wipe even though I could earn it in game fairly quickly.