The release of Star Citizen spin-off Squadron 42 has been postponed to Q2 2027 to avoid “launching into the attention buzz saw of Grand Theft Auto 6.”
Cloud Imperium Games CEO and co-founder Chris Roberts emphasised that the game “needs the opportunity to have the focus of the wider gaming world.”
“Much like the rest of the industry, there is no way I want to launch my spiritual successor to Wing Commander, a game that has had twelve years of blood, sweat and tears invested into it (we started Squadron 42 development in 2014 as 2013 was opening studios, hiring people and getting the Hangar module out for Star Citizen) into the attention buzz saw of GTA 6.”
“While GTA 6 isn’t launching on PC this November, pretty much all outlets and most content creators will be all over it, not leaving a lot of room for other coverage.”
Squadron 42 features a prominent cast, including Gary Oldman, Gillian Anderson, Mark Hamill, Andy Serkis, and Henry Cavill.
Roberts added that a “small number of original backers and long-time Star Citizen content creators” will have access to Squadron 42 this October. Additional announcements regarding the game’s release will follow “shortly afterwards.”
“I know a lot of you will be disappointed to not be playing Squadron 42 at the end of this year, but it is the best thing for the project as it is truly something special and so needs the opportunity to have the focus of the wider gaming world.”
Star Citizen has been in development since 2012 and has raised over $1 billion through crowdfunding and early access sales, despite not having a formal release date.
Earlier this year, Cloud Imperium co-founder Sandi Roberts said the game was “imminently” close to launch.
“As we get imminently closer to launch – and I say that in game development language – it’s very hard to keep it under wraps,” said Roberts. “So the marketing campaign for Squadron is quite different from Star Citizen. It’s going to go for a broader audience.
“But I’m excited for the community to get on board, and they’re very keen to because they’ve been with us for so long on Star Citizen, and they really feel like they’re part of it, which they are. So for them to sing from the rafters that Squadron is launching, I think, is going to be an exciting moment.”