Squadron 42

I Held the Line

Tracking Squadron 42 — the single-player campaign from Cloud Imperium Games

2026 Release Window

Jan 20262026 windowDec 2026

No specific release date has been announced by CIG. 2026 is their stated target window.

What is it?

Squadron 42 — the single-player campaign

Squadron 42 is a single-player, story-driven space game set in the same universe as Star Citizen. Developed by Cloud Imperium Games, it follows a new UEE Navy recruit through a cinematic military campaign — think Wing Commander for a new generation.

The game features a star-studded cast including Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, Gillian Anderson, Henry Cavill, and Andy Serkis, with full motion-capture performances throughout.

Unlike Star Citizen's persistent multiplayer universe, Squadron 42 is a standalone, offline-capable campaign. CIG has confirmed a 2026 release target — no specific date has been announced.

“…without victory there can be no survival!”

Admiral Ernst Bishop (Gary Oldman) — Squadron 42, Senate speech · the speech, explained →

Latest Update

July 11, 2026 · CIG invitation email — details & screenshot

CIG Invites Longtime Backers to First Squadron 42 Hands-On — Manchester, October 9–11, 2026

Invitation emails from CIG began reaching selected longtime backers in July 2026, inviting "those who Held the Line" to an exclusive three-day event at the Manchester studio on October 9–11, 2026 — including the first hands-on experience with Squadron 42, a studio tour, and time with the development team. Travel and accommodation are at attendees' own expense. CIG has not published a public comm-link about the event; the details come from the invitation emails recipients have shared, and our playtest-event page tracks everything known so far.

Read the full update →

“I held the line.”

The phrase long-time backers use while waiting for Squadron 42 — honored on stage at CitizenCon 2953, when CIG declared the game feature-complete.

Watch the “I Held the Line” video →The speech where the line was drawn →

Squadron 42 is coming — Star Citizen is playable right now.

Join Star Citizen While You Wait

New to Star Citizen? Start at dayonecitizen.com — the plain-English getting-started guide for new players.

Explore

Everything on the site

Development News

The latest Squadron 42 updates from official CIG sources — monthly reports, CitizenCon reveals, milestone announcements, newest first.

Read the timeline →

Cast

Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, Gillian Anderson, Henry Cavill, Andy Serkis, and more — all ten confirmed cast members with roles and official sources.

Meet the cast →

Release Date Tracker

Every official CIG statement on the Squadron 42 release window, in one place. 2026 target confirmed.

Track the date →

SQ42 vs Star Citizen

Single-player or multiplayer? One purchase or two? The key differences explained from official CIG sources.

See the differences →

Official Videos

Every official Squadron 42 video from Cloud Imperium Games — trailers, gameplay reveals, CitizenCon presentations, and cinematic clips.

Watch the videos →

FAQ

What is Squadron 42? Who's in the cast? When does it release? Is it included with Star Citizen? Answers from official CIG communications only.

Read the FAQ →

Gameplay Systems

Seamless transitions, AI squad companions, zero-G traversal, and a living NPC crew — every confirmed gameplay system, sourced from official CIG reports.

See the systems →

"I Held the Line" Video

The CitizenCon 2953 cinematic that gave this site its name — where the backer community's long wait for Squadron 42 was honored on stage.

Watch the video →

The Vanduul

The alien enemy of Squadron 42 — who the Vanduul are, their ships, and their role in the campaign, from official CIG lore and reveals.

Know the enemy →

The Odin System

Squadron 42's setting — a white-dwarf star system home to Fortune's Cross station and The Coil, revealed in the Q3 2025 subscriber newsletter.

Explore the system →

Worth Buying?

Thinking about buying in before Squadron 42 ships? What you get today, what's still coming, and how the two games are sold.

Read the breakdown →