Something to Anticipate:
The inception of Star Citizen and its narrative-driven counterpart, Squadron 42, dates back to 2012, a year that now evokes nostalgia for many. With an extensive development period of 13 years and close to a billion dollars in funding, both games are still in progress. However, Chris Roberts, the renowned head of the studio, remains optimistic about the upcoming launch of Squadron 42.
During a recent year-end evaluation, Chris Roberts, the founder and CEO of Cloud Imperium Games, disclosed that Squadron 42 is on the verge of entering the beta phase as it nears completion. This ambitious space simulation game has encountered numerous delays over the past decade.
Squadron 42 was initially slated for release in 2014, then pushed to 2020. In 2022, Roberts indicated that the game would be ready in one or two years. Since 2023, Squadron 42 has been undergoing final refinements, and the projected release date of 2026 has been consistently maintained by CIG. Roberts now asserts that all chapters are fully playable.
The game boasts a blend of first-person shooter and flight simulation combat, enabling seamless transitions between on-foot exploration, spaceship navigation, and interplanetary travel without loading screens. Featuring a captivating cinematic narrative spanning 40 hours, Squadron 42 showcases performances from Gillian Anderson, Henry Cavill, Gary Oldman, and Mark Strong, reminiscent of the FMV scenes from Wing Commander in the 1990s. A comprehensive video unveiled the game’s introductory sequence last year.
Additionally, Roberts discussed the ongoing development of Star Citizen, the multiplayer component that remains in alpha without a definitive release date. In 2025, CIG introduced two new expanses for exploration, facilitated by the innovative server meshing technology, allowing up to 700 players to engage simultaneously across various planets and solar systems. The goal is to expand this capacity to accommodate thousands of players.
Star Citizen has also introduced nearly 100 new locations, environmental elements, spacecraft, and experimental VR compatibility, with more significant features in the pipeline. The focus in 2026 will be on procedurally generated planets, creating diverse biomes, civilizations, and NPCs on a grand scale, akin to Bethesda’s Starfield but without loading interruptions.
The protracted development phase of CIG is made feasible by the gaming industry’s lengthiest and most successful crowdfunding initiative. The substantial funding, primarily derived from the sale of in-game assets like spaceships, surged during the pandemic and currently surpasses $926 million. It is anticipated to surpass $1 billion before the launch of Squadron 42.
