Cloud Imperium Games has released a new trailer for Squadron 42, the long-in-development single-player component of its ambitious space simulation game, Star Citizen. The trailer provides the most comprehensive look yet at the game's narrative, featuring a star-studded cast and a blend of interstellar dogfighting and first-person action.
Development on Squadron 42 has been ongoing for 12 years, with the game set to place players in the role of a rising star in the United Empire of Earth Navy. Facing an alien threat that has pushed humanity to the brink of defeat, players will engage in space combat and on-foot missions. The trailer prominently features performances from actors including Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, Gillian Anderson, Ben Mendelsohn, Henry Cavill, Andy Serkis, John Rhys-Davies, and Rhona Mitra. The player characters are portrayed by Ian Duncan as the male protagonist and Alix Wilton Regan as the female protagonist.
Chris Roberts, creator of the Wing Commander series and head of Cloud Imperium Games, is leading the development. The trailer mixes cinematic sequences with gameplay footage, offering glimpses of life aboard the player's capital ship, minigames, and the space combat that defines the genre. While a firm release date has not been announced, a Q2 2027 release window has been indicated, and the game is available to wishlist on the Cloud Imperium Games website and Steam.
Cloud Imperium Games stated in 2023 that the standalone campaign was feature-complete, with the team focusing on refining the gameplay for maximum immersion. Squadron 42 has been a persistent element since Star Citizen's initial announcement. The game's development has been supported by over $1 billion in funding, partly raised through the sale of in-game spaceships, some costing as much as $5,000.
Earlier this year, Roberts explained the decision to target a 2027 release window, citing a desire to avoid launching the game alongside Grand Theft Auto VI. He noted that even though GTA VI is not releasing on PC in November, the surrounding media attention would likely overshadow other game launches.
This trailer release follows a recent developer livestream that aimed to showcase Star Citizen's progress. However, the broadcast was reportedly marred by numerous bugs and glitches, and visible tension among the developers attempting to manage the presentation.