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Star Citizen’s Squadron 42 Is Fully Playable and Still Targeting 2026 Launch
Edges Closer After Years of Uncertainty
Few projects in modern gaming have attracted as much attention and controversy as Star Citizen. Backed by unprecedented crowdfunding and years of ongoing development, the project’s single-player component, Squadron 42, has long been the title many backers were waiting for.
Now, Cloud Imperium Games has delivered renewed reassurance. In a direct update to fans, the studio confirmed that Squadron 42 remains firmly on track for a 2026 release, reinforcing earlier commitments and signalling tangible progress after years of silence.
Fully Playable Campaign Enters Final Polish Phase
According to a new update from studio head Chris Roberts, Squadron 42 has reached a significant internal milestone. The game is now fully playable from start to finish, offering an estimated 40-hour campaign.
Development has entered what Cloud Imperium describes as its final phase, with the team concentrating on optimisation, performance tuning, and large-scale bug fixing. Roberts noted that no major systems or story content are being added at this stage, with the focus firmly on stability and refinement ahead of launch.
Interestingly, despite the game’s blockbuster cast and long development history, Cloud Imperium does not plan to run an extended marketing campaign before release, choosing instead to let the finished product speak for itself.
Seamless Space Gameplay and Cinematic Ambitions
Cloud Imperium reiterated that Squadron 42 is built on technology designed to eliminate immersion-breaking loading screens. Players will be able to seamlessly transition from on-foot gameplay to spacecraft, then travel across planets and star systems without interruption.
The studio also continues to position narrative as one of the game’s core strengths. The game is designed as a tightly scripted, cinematic experience that blends large-scale space combat with character-driven storytelling, aiming to stand apart from traditional space shooters.
Beyond the single-player portion itself, Roberts also offered a clearer outlook for Star Citizen as a whole. According to the update, the MMO component is expected to reach full commercial release roughly one to two years after Squadron 42 launches, providing the most concrete timeline the project has offered in years.
