Oh dear. I am a New Backer of SC (About $700, US, but also an early backer of ED (To the tune of 100 quid). I know more about SC than ED, so allow me to correct some of the odd comments I just read.
Before I do, I just want to say new space sims are terrific - no need to think that ones success is the others downfall, or that because one is doing better financially or graphically or gameplay, or open universe on the other is some indication of the others inferiority. No need to spit on another's cake.
Now, onto the corrections.
Elite: Dangerous = exists and is basically ready to launch
No, ED is in Alpha Stage. That's the phase before Beta. And definitely not 'ready to launch', which is after that.
Star Citizen = doesn't exist.
Fiddlesticks. It's pre alpha.
SC has a 'hanger module' which was designed solely to keep fans excited and has nothing to do with the game
Source? It is partly there to boost funding, and increase awareness, but the HM is primarily part of the modular development cycle. The Hangar module allows the graphical engine to be tested on over 200,000 configurations, allow testing of patching and deployment systems. The assets being tested will be used for both Squadron 42 and the Persistent Universe. Where did you expect to launch your ships from? It's also where you will make changes to your ship, do repairs, etc.. It is also part of the home/apartment system that will be integrated into the game. It has now been updated to include client/server persistence. It also forces polish from the dev's, and gives them early feedback on the ships, which are central to SC. I think you get the idea, though I could go on.
"...and their dogfighting module has been delayed because by their own admission, it needs a lot more work."
Your implication is that they have finally come clean and said it sucks and they can't release it yet. You are omitting some very important information. The hangar module was delayed because of ship rendering changes - PBM (Physical based rendering Video here -->
https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/13405-Video-The-Avenger-And-PBR) and because they decided on an early implementation of the proper front end, rather than using the Crysis netcode, which would have been dead development time.
Here's what CR has to say :
https://robertsspaceindustries.com/...13432-Letter-From-The-Chairman-On-Dogfighting
And both dogfighting modules have little to do with the wider universe game.
Huh? What are you talking about? Are you talking about the hangar module (which I have already discussed) and the DFM? The DFM is at the heart of the game as much as the Universe and the planets etc!
I believe that Elite: Dangerous's wider universe already exists and we will see it in two months or under.
Quite likely. I don't disagree at all. ED's progress is wonderful!
Star Citizen will release a dogfighting module and there will be no wider universe at all and nothing to see in that regard for at least 18 months.
Well, it is scheduled for release in 12 months, so you are predicting a 6 month delay? Maybe. CR is making the game of his dreams, I didn't back SC to demand it be done on time - I just want it done properly.
For clarification, SC is being released as follows :
1. Hangar Module (released)
2. Alpha Dogfight (probably March is my guess)
3. Beta Persistant universe
4. SQ42 (Current thinking is that SQ42 will be released as episodes, so we all get to play the single player game, and then we are all ready to launch into the player universe fairly seamlessly - that is about 70 missions).
5. SC (Everything, all together).
If you want to know what is going on with SC, and don't want to waste a few days, try the 10 from the chairman episodes (they are about 10 minutes each and answer, you guessed right - 10 questions!).
Episode 1 -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L5_shF5AKY
Episode 2 -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08Icvp5gnbo#t=1163 (Embedded in Wingman's Hangar) Explains dogfighting module delay - worth watching.
Episode 3 -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmevVmaLizw
Please, when posting, please keep things factual, or just ask.