Cloud Imperium pushes Squadron 42 to 2027, cites polish and release timing

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Squadron 42 sci-fi game artwork with a calendar delay indicator
Squadron 42 sci-fi game artwork with a calendar delay indicator1536×1024 384 KB

Cloud Imperium Games has delayed its long-promised single-player Star Citizen spin-off Squadron 42 again, moving the project from its previously stated 2026 window to Q2 2027.

In a letter from studio boss Chris Roberts, the company said it wants to avoid launching the game into what he described as the “attention buzz saw” of Grand Theft Auto 6. Roberts argued that Squadron 42 needs a clearer window to attract attention from the wider gaming world, and that releasing in the same period as Rockstar’s blockbuster would leave too little room for coverage from outlets and creators.

Multiple accounts of the announcement say the game had been aiming for a 2026 release as recently as late last year, making this the latest in a long series of slips. Roberts reportedly said the studio plans to show Squadron 42 to a small group of early backers and content creators in October, with a firmer release update to follow shortly afterward.

The delay has once again drawn scrutiny because Squadron 42 has been in development for more than a decade. It was originally announced in 2014, and backers have heard repeated claims over the years that the game was close to completion or “feature complete.” Community reaction to the latest postponement has been skeptical, with some fans questioning whether release timing is really the main issue.

Cloud Imperium has also said development resources continue to be split between Star Citizen and Squadron 42, while broader technical work on the multiplayer game remains ongoing. For long-time backers, the new date is another reminder that Squadron 42 is still not finished, despite years of promises that launch is near.

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