Squadron 42

Squadron 42 is the standalone single-player campaign from Cloud Imperium Games set in the Star Citizen universe. Instead of the open online sandbox, the focus is on a scripted science fiction story. Players join the United Empire of Earth Navy as recruits and experience military missions and encounters with the crew of a warship.

The production combines starship combat and ground battles with exploration and dialogue. Squadron 42 is released as its own game and is not just a mission in Star Citizen's online mode.

Cloud Imperium Games plans to launch Squadron 42 in Q2 2027. The window covers April to June but does not name a fixed release date. Previously, release was planned for 2026.

Since Oct 10, 2026, the standalone PC game has had an official Steam page with a wishlist feature. This shows interest in the game but does not yet allow downloads. Even for existing RSI access, a Steam activation should not simply be assumed.

So far, only the Windows PC has been confirmed as a native platform. You can find out more about Squadron 42 via the official website and the Steam store. A standalone version for PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo Switch has not been announced.

Squadron 42 combines space battles, first-person shootouts and exploration of ships and other locations. Crew members and dialogue are part of the scripted single-player experience. The story is designed as a standalone campaign, not as a permanent online MMO.

Footage shown offers insight into pilot tasks and infantry missions. The scope and technical quality of the final version cannot yet be judged from trailers.

The preliminary minimum requirements on Steam list Windows 11 (64-bit), a quad-core processor from Intel Core i7 Sandy Bridge generation or AMD Bulldozer, 16 GB RAM and a DirectX 11.1-compatible graphics card with 8 GB graphics memory. Steam also lists DirectX 12, a broadband internet connection and 150 GB of free storage space.

The store does not yet list specific recommended components. These details refer explicitly to Squadron 42. The older general system specs for the Star Citizen launcher are not a reliable substitute for this standalone campaign. Changes before the planned launch in Q2 2027 are possible.

The story is set in the Star Citizen universe: as a recruit of the United Empire of Earth Navy, the player character is drawn into a major military conflict. Aboard a warship, they get to know the crew and experience both combat missions and quieter moments. The narrative is meant to combine action scenes with playable sections.

Cloud Imperium Games is relying on a prominent cast for the narrative single-player campaign. Announced contributors include Gary Oldman, Mark Hamill, Gillian Anderson, Henry Cavill and Andy Serkis. Their characters are part of the story around the UEE Navy and its crews. According to the studio, the actors appear in staged scenes and in the playable narrative.

How extensive the individual roles will be in the finished game cannot yet be fully judged before release.

The Steam entry lists German on-screen text and subtitles; German voice acting is not listed as supported. English voice acting is planned. For PC, Steam lists full controller support, including support for Xbox and PlayStation controllers.

These details describe the store features announced before release. Whether language or control options change before launch remains open.