Cloud Imperium Games changes release plans again 42nd Squadron – A story-driven single-player campaign set in the universe star citizen. Originally slated for release in late 2026, the game is now targeting the second quarter of 2027, which means the release is expected to be between April and June. The developer has yet to announce an exact date.
This time, the reason for the delay given by the studio was not technical issues or the need for additional polishing, but a completely different factor – Grand Theft Auto VI. founder and leader Cloud Empire Games Chris Roberts explained the decision in a new message to the community. According to him, the company did not want to release a project that the team has been developing for about 12 years, at a time when all the attention of the gaming industry will be focused on the new Rockstar blockbuster.
Roberts pointed out that even if the PC version of “Grand Theft Auto 6” is not launched at launch, “Squadron 42” will not be able to avoid competing for the audience’s attention. Grand Theft Auto VI is set to release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19, 2026, and the developers expect nearly all major gaming media, streamers, and bloggers to actively cover the game long after launch. Therefore, the release of Squadron 42 in late 2026 may cause large space programs to completely disappear into the background of this phenomenon. rock star.
The head of CIG said that after analyzing the release calendar for early 2027, the team concluded that the second quarter is a more suitable window. At the same time, the transfer looks relatively small – we’re talking six months later than originally planned.
For Squadron 42, this change in time is particularly noteworthy due to its extremely long development time. Development of the game began as early as 2014, and the original release plan went through several revisions. The project will currently be developed over 12 years.
However, fans will have a chance to assess the state of the game before the end of the year. On October 9th and 10th, Cloud Imperium Games will allow a small group of early backers and long-time Star Citizen content creators to play Squadron 42 for themselves. At this time, the developers will reveal more details about the launch and promise to announce a specific release date shortly after testing.
However, this transfer does not mean that Squadron 42 will be completely closed to players until 2027. CIG continues to prepare the project for release, with the campaign itself being pitched as a standalone story game within the shared Star Citizen universe, inspired by the classic Wing Commander series.
Therefore, “GTA 6” unexpectedly not only affected the schedules of major publishers, but also became one of Cloud Imperium Games’ most anticipated projects. Squadron 42 is now set to release in Season 2 of 2027, and the October demo will serve as a key test of how close the game is to its final release. After years of development, this might give fans the most telling answer to their question of whether the project is finally nearing the finish line.
