Cloud Imperium Games has announced that its single-player title, Squadron 42, has been pushed back to the second quarter of 2027. Studio boss Chris Roberts stated that the decision was made to avoid launching the game amidst the considerable attention expected from Grand Theft Auto VI.

Initially targeting a 2026 release, the developer reaffirmed this plan as recently as late last year. However, Roberts explained in a recent blog post that releasing in autumn would place Squadron 42 directly in the shadow of Rockstar's highly anticipated release. He expressed concern that this would prevent a game that has been in development for over a decade from receiving adequate attention.

"Our plan was to release in Q4 around IAE," Roberts wrote. "But much like the rest of the industry, there is no way I want to launch my spiritual successor to Wing Commander, a game that has had twelve years of blood, sweat and tears invested into it... launching into the attention buzz saw of GTA6."

While Grand Theft Auto VI is not scheduled for a PC release in November, Roberts anticipates that the period surrounding its launch will see an overwhelming amount of coverage from media outlets and content creators, potentially leaving little room for other releases.

Cloud Imperium intends to provide a preview of Squadron 42 to a limited group of content creators and early backers in October. The studio plans to announce a more definitive release date shortly thereafter. A Q2 2027 window places the game's potential launch in the spring of that year, assuming no further schedule adjustments occur.

Squadron 42 has been in development for more than ten years, a period nearly as long as its sibling title, Star Citizen. The game has seen its release date postponed multiple times. Its ensemble cast includes notable actors such as Gary Oldman, Mark Hamill, Henry Cavill, Andy Serkis, Ben Mendelsohn, and Mark Strong.

In related news, Cloud Imperium Games' crowdfunding for its multiplayer sci-fi simulation, Star Citizen, surpassed $1 billion in May. The milestone coincided with the unveiling of a new $5,000 capital ship, the Anvil Odin, which was offered as a limited concept pledge without a firm release date. Owners of this pledge were provided with an Idris P spaceship in the interim.