Squadron 42 Delayed to Avoid Competing with Grand Theft Auto VI

Cloud Imperium Games has pushed the release window for Squadron 42 to the second quarter of 2027. The standalone single-player campaign set in the Star Citizen universe was originally scheduled to arrive in 2015.

Development on Star Citizen began before the release of Grand Theft Auto V. Nearly 14 years and two PlayStation and Xbox console generations later, the studio still cannot provide an estimated launch timeframe for the wider multiplayer project.

Cloud Imperium Games head and project director Chris Roberts announced the latest delay for the campaign. Roberts stated that the team initially aimed to release Squadron 42 in the fourth quarter of 2026, aligning the launch with the period around the Intergalactic Aerospace Expo.

The studio altered those plans due to Grand Theft Auto VI. Roberts explicitly stated that he does not want to release Squadron 42 at the same time as Rockstar Games’ upcoming title.

Addressing points that Squadron 42 is planned for PC while GTA VI will launch exclusively on consoles, Roberts emphasized that Rockstar’s release will inevitably consume the vast majority of coverage from press outlets, creators, and streamers, leaving very little room for Squadron 42 to secure necessary attention.