It's been a long time coming, but after a very well-received demo at their Manchester, UK office, Cloud Imperium Games has announced that the much-anticipated single player adventure set in the Star Citizen universe, Squadron 42, is almost here. Set for a Q2 2027 release, the space opera is supported by an absolutely star studded cast list. Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, Gillian Anderson, Ben Mendelsohn, Henry Cavill, and more are ready to put players in the shoes of a rookie gunner in the United Empire of Earth Navy (UEEN). The events of the player's first engagement puts them on a path to becoming a pilot, and ultimately at the heart of humanity's fight for survival.
As part of the celebration of this demo and the announcement that the game is coming to Steam, the team released a brand new Squadron 42 trailer.
It's hard to express just how excited I am for this game. I've already got my HOSAS setup built, a Frame on order for VR, and a motion simulator to fly in. There are a few more questions to answer, including how players who backed the game in the beginning are going to proceed from here. Do they get a Steam key and their account moves? Do they stay on the RSI Launcher client? What will the final spec requirements and recommended be? All of these and more will be answered in time, but first let's hear a bit about the world in which Squadron 42 is set:
The year is 2945, and the United Empire of Earth stands on the verge of collapse as threats from outlaws and hostile alien forces emerge from the darkest reaches of space. Players enlist as a rookie in the UEE Navy, embarking on a dangerous journey that will take them from a recruit to the heart of a galactic war. Stationed aboard a massive capital ship, they’ll live and work alongside a dynamic crew, forge relationships, and face the sacrifices and split-second decisions that will shape their path forward as they earn their place, their rank, and their legacy.
Combining monumental-scale set pieces with an intimate, character-driven narrative, Squadron 42 moves seamlessly between intense space combat, ground operations, and quieter moments with the people behind the fight. Every mission brings new challenges, with players relying on skill, strategy, and quick thinking as they bravely stand against the forces threatening the Empire’s future.
I rattled off a few familiar faces you'll see in Squadron 42 but it's far from a complete list. Let's get a few more names of folks who will bring fully vocapped performances to the game
Squadron 42 features an acclaimed ensemble of film and television talent, including Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, Gillian Anderson, Ben Mendelsohn, Henry Cavill, Andy Serkis, John Rhys-Davies, Jonathan Bailey, Mark Strong, Alix Wilton Reagan, Ben Mendelsohn, Damson Idris, Liam Cunningham, Jane Perry and more. Through full performance capture, the cast brings the game’s crew, allies, and adversaries to life, grounding an expansive science-fiction adventure in nuanced performances and relationships that drive its story.
As opposed to simply existing within cinematics, these performances are also woven directly into the gameplay, making players active participants in the unfolding drama.
I'm personally a backer of Star Citizen and Squadron 42, so I have an inkling of what the game has to offer in the persistent universe. That said, the MMO-style gameplay is apparently very different from what we are getting in this single player experience.
The journey in Squadron 42 extends well beyond the pilot’s seat. Players will engage in high-speed dogfights among the stars, take on ground-based combat operations, survive devastating battles, and confront situations that demand more than firepower alone.
Whether maneuvering through a space battle, stealthily moving through an enemy-held location, or making a critical decision alongside fellow crew members, players will experience the story firsthand through a mix of action, exploration, and interactive cinematic sequences. Together, these elements pair the scale of a space epic with the personal stakes of a story about the people fighting to survive it.
Reading through the build notes was always a bit cryptic. We'd fully understand what's coming to the Persistent Universe build, but vague "completed mocap on sequence xyz" never really told us much. Seeing the game in motion, it's now more clear that this is more than sitting and watching a movie in motion – it's an interactive cinematic experience.
Powered by StarEngine, Cloud Imperium Games’ proprietary technology, Squadron 42 combines highly detailed environments, expansive spaces, realistic characters, and seamless transitions between cinematic storytelling and interactive gameplay. Developed in-house over years of technological innovation, StarEngine creates a richly realized universe in which players don’t simply watch the story unfold – they take an active role in shaping the experience.
It's hard to believe, but the game is almost here. Squadron 42 is planned for release in Q2 2027, and players can now wishlist the game on Steam, and stay up to date on the latest information by visiting the official website, and following Squadron 42 on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
