Fourteen years after it was announced, Cloud Imperium Games said Squadron 42, its cinematic single-player sci-fi adventure game set in the expansive Star Citizen universe, is available to wishlist on Steam ahead of its planned Q2 2027 release.
It’s actually going to have a longer development cycle than Grand Theft Auto VI, which has been in active development for at least eight years and is coming out on November 19, about 13 years after Grand Theft Auto V.
We’ll see which game is most worth the wait. The highly anticipated space epic features a star-studded cast including Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, Gillian Anderson, Ben Mendelsohn, Henry Cavill, and more. Crafted to push the boundaries of interactive storytelling, Squadron 42 blends high-fidelity visuals, Hollywood-caliber performances, rich worldbuilding, and high-stakes space combat in a narrative-driven journey that puts players at the center of humanity’s fight for survival.
You can watch the latest Squadron 42 trailer HERE. As of May 2026, Star Citizen’s crowdfunding passed $1 billion, with roughly 6.5 million registered backers/supporters. It’s not clear what Squadron 42’s budget might be, but it’s big. I asked if Chris Roberts, CEO of Cloud Imperium Games, could do an interview. But it was declined.
The year is 2945, and the United Empire of Earth stands on the verge of collapse as threats from outlaws and hostile alien forces emerge from the darkest reaches of space. Players enlist as a rookie in the UEE Navy, embarking on a dangerous journey that will take them from a recruit to the heart of a galactic war. Stationed aboard a massive capital ship, they’ll live and work alongside a dynamic crew, forge relationships, and face the sacrifices and split-second decisions that will shape their path forward as they earn their place, their rank, and their legacy.
Combining monumental-scale set pieces with an intimate, character-driven narrative, Squadron 42 moves seamlessly between intense space combat, ground operations, and quieter moments with the people behind the fight. Every mission brings new challenges, with players relying on skill, strategy, and quick thinking as they bravely stand against the forces threatening the Empire’s future.
A Blockbuster Cast Takes Center Stage
Squadron 42 features an acclaimed ensemble of film and television talent, including Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, Gillian Anderson, Ben Mendelsohn, Henry Cavill, Andy Serkis, John Rhys-Davies, Jonathan Bailey, Mark Strong, Alix Wilton Reagan, Ben Mendelsohn, Damson Idris, Liam Cunningham, Jane Perry and more. Through full performance capture, the cast brings the game’s crew, allies, and adversaries to life, grounding an expansive science-fiction adventure in nuanced performances and relationships that drive its story.
As opposed to simply existing within cinematics, these performances are also woven directly into the gameplay, making players active participants in the unfolding drama.
A New Perspective on the Star Citizen Universe
Set in the same universe as Star Citizen, Cloud Imperium Games’ massively multiplayer online space experience where millions of players live out their science-fiction dreams, Squadron 42 tells a standalone, single-player story from the perspective of a rookie UEE Navy recruit. While Star Citizen offers players an evolving universe to explore, Squadron 42 delivers a focused narrative adventure, following one character’s journey through a galaxy on the brink of war.
Players will journey from capital ships and bustling space stations to remote frontier outposts and active combat zones, encountering diverse characters and challenges that will help define the kind of hero they become.
From the Cockpit to the Front Lines
The journey in Squadron 42 extends well beyond the pilot’s seat. Players will engage in high-speed dogfights among the stars, take on ground-based combat operations, survive devastating battles, and confront situations that demand more than firepower alone.
Whether maneuvering through a space battle, stealthily moving through an enemy-held location, or making a critical decision alongside fellow crew members, players will experience the story firsthand through a mix of action, exploration, and interactive cinematic sequences. Together, these elements pair the scale of a space epic with the personal stakes of a story about the people fighting to survive it.
Built for a New Kind of Cinematic Experience
Powered by StarEngine, Cloud Imperium Games’ proprietary technology, Squadron 42 combines highly detailed environments, expansive spaces, realistic characters, and seamless transitions between cinematic storytelling and interactive gameplay. Developed in-house over years of technological innovation, StarEngine creates a richly realized universe in which players don’t simply watch the story unfold – they take an active role in shaping the experience.
Cloud Imperium Games is the independent studio behind Star Citizen and Squadron 42, dedicated to pushing the boundaries of game development and interactive storytelling. Founded by legendary game designer Roberts, CIG is committed to creating the most ambitious space simulation universe ever built.