Cloud Imperium Games opened Steam wishlists for Squadron 42 on October 10, 2026, alongside a new cinematic trailer and a full cast reveal. According to Variety, the single-player spinoff of Star Citizen is targeting a Q2 2027 release window.

Key points:

  • Squadron 42 wishlists on Steam have been open since October 10, 2026.
  • The game targets Q2 2027 (April to June 2027), with no specific date yet.
  • The cast includes Henry Cavill, Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, Gillian Anderson and more.
  • It is a standalone single-player story that does not require playing Star Citizen.

Squadron 42 Steam wishlist and Q2 2027 release window

According to Variety and MonsterVine, players can now add Squadron 42 to their Steam wishlists ahead of launch. The game will be available on PC through Steam.

On timing, MonsterVine reports that only the Q2 2027 window, April to June 2027, has been confirmed. A specific release date has not been announced.

Cloud Imperium Games also released a new cinematic trailer on the same day. Outlets including Cosmic Book News and GamingTrend tie it to the cast announcement.

Squadron 42 cast: Henry Cavill, Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman

Henry Cavill is confirmed, playing Commander Ryan Enright. Mark Hamill is also in the game; according to Variety and Cosmic Book News, he reprises his connection to Wing Commander from the 1990s.

MonsterVine and Screen Rant report that Gary Oldman plays Admiral Ernst Bishop and Gillian Anderson plays Captain Rachel MacLaren. The cast also includes Ben Mendelsohn, Andy Serkis, John Rhys-Davies, Jonathan Bailey, Mark Strong, Alix Wilton Regan, Damson Idris, Liam Cunningham and Jane Perry.

Squadron 42 uses full performance capture, with character interactions in both gameplay and cinematics. It runs on StarEngine, Cloud Imperium Games' proprietary technology.

Background: 14 years of Squadron 42 development

According to Screen Rant, Squadron 42 was first announced in 2012 and has been in development for roughly 14 years. It was originally meant to release in 2016 before multiple delays.

Variety notes that Cloud Imperium Games was co-founded in 2012 by Chris Roberts and his wife, Sandi Roberts. Squadron 42 is a spiritual successor to Wing Commander, the series Roberts created in the 1990s. As Cosmic Book News put it: "Squadron 42 comes from Chris Roberts, the creator of Wing Commander".

Screen Rant reports the game was declared feature complete in October 2023, and by December 2025 all chapters were playable from start to finish internally. It is planned to offer over 40 hours of gameplay.

Power Up Gaming says Squadron 42 was originally scheduled for late 2026 but moved to Q2 2027 to avoid launching alongside Grand Theft Auto 6. For related context, see our report on GTA 6 not streaming exclusively or to PC via Xbox Cloud Gaming.

What it means for players and what comes next

Squadron 42 is a standalone single-player narrative set in the Star Citizen universe, and you do not need to take part in the multiplayer game. Per Screen Rant, you play a rookie recruit in the United Empire of Earth Navy facing threats from outlaws and hostile alien forces.

Screen Rant also frames the Steam release as a purchasing alternative for PC players who have not taken part in Star Citizen's crowdfunding.

Pricing, system requirements, platforms beyond PC and availability in Vietnam have not been announced in the verified sources. The practical step for now is to wishlist the game on Steam and watch for further updates from Cloud Imperium Games.

FAQ

When does Squadron 42 release?

The game targets Q2 2027, meaning April to June 2027. No specific release date has been announced.

Is Squadron 42 coming to Steam?

Yes. It will be available on PC via Steam, and wishlists have been open since October 10, 2026.

Do I need to play Star Citizen first?

No. According to Variety and MonsterVine, it is a standalone single-player story that does not require the multiplayer game.