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Squadron 42

Squadron 42 Release Date

Squadron 42 is the single-player cinematic campaign from Cloud Imperium Games, set in the Star Citizen universe. Here's the current state of its release window and everything we know heading into 2026.

TL;DR

Cloud Imperium Games targets a 2026 release for Squadron 42. The game was declared feature-complete at CitizenCon 2023 and has been in polish/bug-fixing since. No fixed release date or month has been publicly committed to as of this page's last update.

Current status

At CitizenCon 2023, CIG founder Chris Roberts announced Squadron 42 was feature-complete - meaning every mission, system, and cinematic is in the game and the remaining work is polish, bug-fixing, and performance optimisation. The studio showed extended gameplay footage including combat, stealth, capital ship boarding, and performance-captured cinematics featuring the game's A-list cast.

Since then, CIG has issued periodic status updates but has not locked a specific launch date, preferring to ship when quality targets are met rather than commit to a marketing window.

What is Squadron 42?

Squadron 42 is a standalone single-player first-person space combat campaign. Think Wing Commander meets Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, set in the Star Citizen universe. The story follows a fresh UEE Navy recruit assigned to the carrier Stanton, caught in a brewing conflict with the Vanduul - the game's primary antagonist alien species.

Gameplay mixes dogfighting, capital ship operations, zero-g combat, FPS ground missions, and narrative-driven character moments with the cast.

The cast

Squadron 42 features one of the most ambitious casts assembled for a video game, including:

All performances were captured using full performance-capture (face and body) at Imaginarium Studios.

How it connects to Star Citizen

Squadron 42 and Star Citizen (the persistent universe MMO) share tech, assets, and lore. They are sold separately, but backers who own both will find their Squadron 42 playthrough canonically ties into the wider 'verse. Completing Squadron 42 has historically been promised to unlock exclusive in-game items and the UEE citizenship status in Star Citizen.

Will Squadron 42 launch on consoles?

CIG has stated they are not ruling out console versions but the initial release is PC-focused. The game's scope, control density, and rendering demands are built around high-end PC hardware.

System requirements (current estimate)

Official specs have not been locked, but based on the Star Citizen Alpha's current demands, players should expect:

How to prepare

The smartest play right now is to get into Star Citizen Alpha before Squadron 42 launches. You'll learn the flight model, HUD, and traversal systems so Squadron 42's gameplay feels familiar on day one. A starter package grants access to both, and with the referral code below you'll also pocket 5,000 UEC to kit out your first character.

Referral Code - 5,000 UEC Bonus

STAR-RCJM-R2X5 Enlist →

FAQ

Is Squadron 42 released yet?

No. As of April 2026 it has not released. CIG targets 2026 but has not committed to a specific date.

Do I need to own Star Citizen to play Squadron 42?

No - Squadron 42 is sold as a standalone product. However, many backers own both via a bundled package.

Is Squadron 42 coming to PS5 or Xbox?

Not at launch. CIG has not ruled out future console ports.