Cloud Imperium Games has delayed Squadron 42 to the second quarter of 2027 because the studio does not want to compete directly with the media storm surrounding GTA VI. Star Citizen’s single-player campaign has therefore suffered another setback after more than a decade in development.

Squadron 42 was previously expected in 2026, but Cloud Imperium Games has revised its schedule once again. CEO Chris Roberts says one major reason is the November launch of Grand Theft Auto VI, which is expected to dominate the attention of the press and content creators.

Roberts believes that even without a PC version at launch, GTA VI would create such overwhelming media coverage that the science-fiction campaign would struggle to receive the attention its release requires. The studio has therefore moved the game to Q2 2027.

CIG plans to host preview sessions for content creators and selected early backers in October. According to the current schedule, a concrete release date will be announced after those events.

The delay is particularly sensitive because Squadron 42 has been in development for more than a decade, while the shared crowdfunding total with Star Citizen has exceeded $1 billion. The developers have long maintained that the campaign is fully playable and now mainly requires polishing.

Some fans accept the argument about the exceptionally crowded 2026 release calendar, while others believe GTA VI offers a convenient explanation for delaying a game that may still not be ready.

Source: Tech4Gamers