A futuristic space station is set against a swirling blue and black vortex in Squadron 42
Image credit: Cloud Imperium Games

Squadron 42 release: All we know about the long-awaited sci-fi game

⚠️ This page mixes confirmed information with industry rumors and speculation. We’ll keep it updated as new details and leaks come to light.

Table of Contents
  1. The Escapist recaps
  2. When could Squadron 42 be released? 
  3. Are Squadron 42 prices and pre-orders confirmed?
  4. Expected Squadron 42 platforms
  5. Squadron 42 gameplay & trailer analysis
  6. Who is in Squadron 42?
  7. Ask The Escapist
  8. References

If you’re a sci-fi fan, chances are that you’ve been keeping up with Squadron 42 news in the lead-up to launch day. This sci-fi adventure sim is set in the Star Citizen universe, and its star-studded cast has caught the attention of the gaming community.

Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about the Squadron 42 release, looking at when it might come out, which actors will be in the game, and what players should expect on release day. This guide will be updated once more news becomes available, so make sure to check back. 


The Escapist recaps

  • Squadron 42 is an upcoming first-person sci-fi game, developed and published by Cloud Imperium Games. It’s set in the Star Citizen universe.
  • A full Squadron 42 release date is currently unknown, but the release window is set to be 2026.
  • The game promises a rich, technical experience for sci-fi lovers, with intergalactic battles, zero-gravity exploration, and a dramatic narrative. 
  • According to the Squadron 42 IMDB page, the game will place the players in the role of an up-and-coming UEE Navy combat pilot. Squadron 42 is also described as a “cinematic single-player experience” here.
  • Based on the Squadron 42 gameplay that has been seen so far, the game appears visually striking, evoking an immersive movie experience with flight sim elements integrated into a standard sci-fi game.

When could Squadron 42 be released? 

Alien creature in futuristic armor menaces a person in military uniform inside a dimly lit, red-hued spaceship in Squadron 42
The character models in Squadron 42 look fantastic. Image credit: Cloud Imperium Games

Currently, a full Squadron 42 release date is unknown. There is a release window, though – according to the game site, the Squadron 42 release window is 2026.

Squadron 42 is set in the Star Citizen world, which is a sci-fi MMORPG from the same team that’s currently in early access. Star Citizen has experienced numerous delays during its development, with the current release window projected for 2027 or 2028, which has some players online concerned that Squadron 42 may also be pushed back. 

Are Squadron 42 prices and pre-orders confirmed?

A white dwarf star is highlighted on a dark, abstract background with swirling blue lines in Squadron 42
Aesthetically, Squadron 42 should be a delight for sci-fi lovers. Image credit: Cloud Imperium Games

Squadron 42 pricing and pre-order details are currently unknown, as the game is not available to pre-order yet. It is possible to sign up for email updates via the RSI website for fans who are keen to keep tabs on Squadron 42’s progress.

Expected Squadron 42 platforms

Two sleek fighter spacecraft, labeled "UEE", soar through a starry sky in Squadron 42
The images that’ve been shown off so far are striking. Image credit: Cloud Imperium Games

A full Squadron 42 platform list has not been made available yet. Based on Star Citizen only being available for PC players, it seems likely that Squadron 42 will follow suit, but this is purely speculation. 

Squadron 42 gameplay & trailer analysis

A cinematic Squadron 42 trailer was shared on October 11, 2018, giving the community a glimpse of what to expect from the upcoming game. 

It’s a purely cinematic trailer, so no Squadron 42 gameplay was shown off, but it revealed the impressive scale and scope of the game’s universe. Amidst the intergalactic battles and dramatic music, something that caught the eye of fans in the comments was the slew of famous faces milling about the ships. 

Those hoping for Squadron 42 gameplay were in for a treat on October 20, 2024, though, as a lengthy gameplay video was uploaded to the official Star Citizen YouTube channel, following up on the Citizencon event. 

Clocking in at over an hour in length, the gameplay video showcases the technical aspects of Squadron 42’s flight sim elements, as well as the depth of its narrative and cinematic elements. There were also RPG segments, letting the player get up close and personal with the game. 

Who is in Squadron 42?

Aside from the gameplay and story, one of the biggest selling points for Squadron 42 is its star-studded cast of characters. Some of the main names that you may recognize in the Squadron 42 cast include:

  • Alix Wilton Regan
  • Andy Serkis
  • Gary Oldman
  • Gillian Anderson
  • Henry Cavill
  • Mark Hamill
  • Sophie Wu

This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means; Squadron 42 has a wide variety of talented names making an appearance, adding to the blockbuster energy it emanates. 

Squadron 42 looks like it’ll go down well with fans of space sims, sci-fi RPGs, and intergalactic epics, particularly if said fans are already Star Citizen lovers. While some members of the community are concerned about the release date getting pushed back, the level of hype surrounding the Squadron 42 release is undeniable. 

Ask The Escapist

Who is making Squadron 42?

Squadron 42 is being developed and published by Cloud Imperium Games.

What type of game is Squadron 42?

Squadron 42 is an action- and narrative-oriented sci-fi game set in the Star Citizen universe, featuring technical flight simulation elements.

Which actors are in Squadron 42?

Numerous recognizable names have roles in Squadron 42, including Andy Serkis, Mark Hamill, Gillian Anderson, and Henry Cavill. 

Who does Henry Cavill play in Squadron 42? 

Henry Cavill plays a character called Ryan Enright in Squadron 42.

References

  1. Squadron 42 (IMDb)
  2. Follow the development of Star Citizen and Squadron 42 (Roberts Space Industries)

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Related Content
Table of Contents
  1. The Escapist recaps
  2. When could Squadron 42 be released? 
  3. Are Squadron 42 prices and pre-orders confirmed?
  4. Expected Squadron 42 platforms
  5. Squadron 42 gameplay & trailer analysis
  6. Who is in Squadron 42?
  7. Ask The Escapist
  8. References
Related Content
Table of Contents
  1. The Escapist recaps
  2. When could Squadron 42 be released? 
  3. Are Squadron 42 prices and pre-orders confirmed?
  4. Expected Squadron 42 platforms
  5. Squadron 42 gameplay & trailer analysis
  6. Who is in Squadron 42?
  7. Ask The Escapist
  8. References
Related Content
Table of Contents
  1. The Escapist recaps
  2. When could Squadron 42 be released? 
  3. Are Squadron 42 prices and pre-orders confirmed?
  4. Expected Squadron 42 platforms
  5. Squadron 42 gameplay & trailer analysis
  6. Who is in Squadron 42?
  7. Ask The Escapist
  8. References
Author
Image of Em Stonham
Em Stonham
Senior Features Writer
Em Stonham is a Senior Gaming Features Writer at The Escapist, and they've got more unfinished Steam games in their library than they know what to do with. With a love for both cozy games and grotesque horror, Em specializes in reviews, features, and event coverage - and they'll take any opportunity to yell about the latest rare mount drop they've gotten in World of Warcraft, so, please, don't get them started.
Author
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Sam Smith
Features Editor
Sam is Escapist's Features Editor and has been obsessed with gaming since he first discovered Sonic the Hedgehog in the mid-1990s. Since then, he’s collected nearly every console and adores all things Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox equally. After completing his journalism degree, Sam steered his career towards writing about games and has never looked back, with bylines at Dexerto, GamesRadar, Insider Gaming, Soundsphere, and more. He’s also fully NCTJ accredited. He’s also likely to be that annoying person who keeps beating you in Elden Ring’s Colosseum.