Cloud Imperium Games CEO Chris Roberts has announced that the long-awaited single-player Star Citizen spinoff, Squadron 42, has been delayed to the second quarter of 2027. This places the release window significantly later than the previously stated 2026 target.
Roberts explained the decision in a blog post, stating that launching during the expected fall attention surrounding Grand Theft Auto 6 would detract from Squadron 42's own debut. He noted that while Grand Theft Auto 6 will not be a PC release in November, its cultural impact and the ensuing media coverage would likely overshadow other new game launches. "While GTA 6 isn’t launching on PC this November, pretty much all outlets and most content creators will be all over it, not leaving a lot of room for other coverage," Roberts wrote. The studio intends to proceed with previews of Squadron 42 alongside content creators and early backers in October, with more concrete release plans to be shared shortly after.
Squadron 42 has been in development for over a decade, with development starting around 2014. The game has faced numerous delays throughout its extensive production. It promises a narrative-driven experience and features a notable cast of actors including Gary Oldman, Mark Hamill, Henry Cavill, and Andy Serkis, among others. Roberts has previously suggested that the game could be a major event, potentially rivaling the budget of Rockstar's open-world crime series, with Star Citizen itself having surpassed $1 billion in funding.
This delay announcement follows a recent contentious developer livestream for Star Citizen. The stream, intended to showcase an updated version of the game, was met with criticism from players experiencing bugs and technical issues. The broadcast reportedly featured moments of apparent tension between developers, further fueling concerns about the eventual full release of Star Citizen, which itself remains without a firm release window.