Star Citizen spin-off, Squadron 42, opens wishlisting as it nears its scheduled Q2 2027 release.
Squadron 42, the standalone spin-off of the billion-dollar Star Citizen project, appears to be gearing up for its planned Q2 2027 launch, with the game now available to wishlist on Steam.
If, by any chance, it goes ahead as scheduled this time around, it will mark a highly-anticipated release after multiple delays and approximately 13 years of development.
Watch the Squadron 42 wishlist trailer below:
Squadron 42
Release date: Q2 2027
Platforms: PC via Steam
Developer: Cloud Imperium Games
When is Squadron 42 coming out?
With wishlisting now open, Squadron 42 appears to be on track for its latest scheduled release window of Q2 2027.
Cloud Imperium Games previously planned to release the game in late 2026, but announced yet another delay in August, reportedly to avoid competing with GTA 6, Rockstar Games’ giant blockbuster which looms over the calendar in November 2026.
While that reasoning makes sense, as many publishers have seemingly steered clear of releasing games around GTA 6’s launch, some fans believe Cloud Imperium is simply buying itself more time, particularly with the game being pushed back all the way to Q2 2027.
The ambitious project, a spin-off of the expansive Star Citizen universe, has faced multiple delays since it was first revealed in 2012. At the time, Squadron 42 was planned for a 2014 release. However, as the project grew in scope and ambition, it was pushed back to 2016.
After missing yet another deadline, Cloud Imperium stopped providing a specific release date. Development continued without a firm launch window until 2024, when the studio finally announced plans to release the game in 2026.
As we have known, that was not the final change to its schedule. In August 2026, the studio announced another delay, pushing Squadron 42 back to Q2 2027, somewhere between April and June.
With wishlisting now open on Steam, fans may take this as an encouraging sign, although it does not guarantee that the game will meet its latest release window.
What is Squadron 42 about?
Squadron 42 is a spin-off of Star Citizen, the space simulation game currently in early access, offering a story-driven, single-player experience set in the same fictional universe. Players will enlist as a rookie in the United Empire of Earth Navy, living, working and fighting alongside their crew as they climb the ranks and build their legacy.
Star Citizen is one of the most expensive video game projects ever undertaken, having raised more than US$1 billion through over a decade of crowdfunding. At the time of writing, its reported crowdfunding total stands at 1,051,316,567.
With such a substantial budget behind the project, Squadron 42 will also feature a star-studded cast, with performances captured through motion capture from acclaimed actors including Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, Henry Cavill, Andy Serkis and more.
