Squadron 42 and Star Citizen are two separate games set in the same universe, made by the same studio, and sold separately. Squadron 42 is a single-player, story-driven campaign you can play offline; it has not released yet, and CIG is targeting 2026. Star Citizen is an online multiplayer universe that is playable right now in ongoing alpha. Buying one does not include the other.
At a Glance
- Two separate games, sold separately — buying one does not include the other.
- Squadron 42: standalone single-player campaign, playable offline, not yet released. CIG announced a 2026 target at CitizenCon 2954.
- Star Citizen: online multiplayer universe, playable now in ongoing alpha.
- Both are built by Cloud Imperium Games on Star Engine.
Page reviewed July 18, 2026 — sourced from official CIG communications only.
| Squadron 42 | Star Citizen | |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Single-player | Multiplayer (online) |
| Internet required | No — offline capable | Yes — always online |
| Status | Targeting 2026 release | Playable now (Alpha) |
| Purchase | Sold separately | Sold separately |
| Setting | Same universe | Same universe |
| Engine | Star Engine (shared) | Star Engine (shared) |
| Campaign length | 40+ hours confirmed | No campaign — open world |
Single-player vs Multiplayer
Squadron 42 is a fully single-player experience — a story-driven military campaign with a beginning, middle, and end. You play a new recruit in the United Empire of Earth Navy, working through a scripted story performed by a full motion-capture cast that includes Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, and Gillian Anderson. You play alone, offline if you choose, and when the campaign ends, the game ends.
Star Citizen is the opposite shape of game: an online multiplayer persistent universe where players share a live galaxy. There is no campaign and no ending — you fly cargo, take missions, mine, fight, and explore alongside other players in an open sandbox that CIG updates continuously. CIG describes the two as companion projects rather than one being a mode of the other.
One Is Out. One Isn't.
This is the difference that trips people up most. Star Citizen is playable today — it has been in continuous, publicly playable alpha development for years, with a live server you can log into right now. Squadron 42 has never been released in any form. CIG announced a 2026 launch window at CitizenCon 2954 (October 2024), and the May 2026 Letter from the Chairman said the game is content complete — every chapter playable from beginning to end internally — with polish, optimization, and bug fixing remaining. No exact date has been announced.
Source: RSI Comm-Link — Letter From The Chairman (May 2026) →
Separate Purchases
Squadron 42 and Star Citizen are sold as distinct products on the Roberts Space Industries store. Some historical pledge packages bundled both together, but they are currently separate purchases. Buying one does not include the other. CIG has also not announced any cross-game progression — nothing you do in one game has been officially confirmed to carry into the other.
Announced Together, Shipping Apart
The two games have been intertwined since the very first announcement. Chris Roberts unveiled Star Citizen and Squadron 42 together at GDC Online in Austin on October 10, 2012 — Squadron 42 pitched as the Wing Commander-style single-player component of the project. In the years since, the two efforts diverged into separate products on separate schedules: Star Citizen opened its alpha to backers and grew module by module, while Squadron 42 stayed behind closed doors — reaching feature complete in October 2023 and content complete by May 2026.
Source: RSI Comm-Link — A Message From Chris Roberts (2012) →
Same Universe, Same Engine
Both games are set in the same fictional universe — the United Empire of Earth (UEE) — and are built on Star Engine, CIG's proprietary engine, a heavily modified derivative of CryEngine rebuilt over many years for both projects. Ships, locations, and lore overlap: the Vanduul you fight in Squadron 42 are the same species that exists in Star Citizen's lore. However, Squadron 42's story and characters are self-contained within the single-player campaign.
Which One Should You Get?
If what you want is the story campaign, there is nothing to play yet — Squadron 42 releases when it releases, and the only official window is 2026. If you want to fly in this universe today, Star Citizen is the game that exists. Use a referral code when creating your account to start with bonus in-game credits. Brand-new to Star Citizen? The plain-English getting-started guide at dayonecitizen.com covers your first session.
Join Star Citizen While You WaitFrequently Asked Questions
Is Squadron 42 part of Star Citizen?
No. Squadron 42 is a separate, standalone single-player title. Star Citizen — the live multiplayer game — has no single-player campaign mode. The two are companion projects set in the same universe, sold as distinct products.
Do I need Star Citizen to play Squadron 42?
No. Squadron 42 is fully standalone and does not require Star Citizen, an internet connection, or any familiarity with the multiplayer game.
Can I play Squadron 42 right now?
No. Squadron 42 has not released — CIG is targeting a 2026 release window, announced at CitizenCon 2954. Star Citizen, by contrast, is playable now in ongoing alpha.
Does buying Star Citizen include Squadron 42?
No. They are sold separately on the Roberts Space Industries store. Some historical pledge packages bundled both games, but buying one today does not include the other.
Will my progress carry over between the two games?
Cloud Imperium Games has not officially announced any cross-game progression between Squadron 42 and Star Citizen. Until CIG says otherwise, treat them as fully separate.
Are they made by the same studio?
Yes. Both are developed by Cloud Imperium Games and run on Star Engine, CIG's proprietary engine — a heavily modified derivative of CryEngine built over many years for both projects.