Squadron 42 Opens Steam Wishlist for Q2 2027 Amid Cast and Design Controversies

Key points

• Squadron 42 is now available to wishlist on Steam, with a confirmed release window between April and June 2027.
• The game is set in 2945, where players enlist as rookies in the United Empire of Earth Navy to fight hostile aliens and outlaws.
• The cast includes high-profile actors such as Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, Henry Cavill, and Gillian Anderson, with Ian Duncan and Alix Wilton Regan voicing the male and female player characters.
• Development has spanned 12 years, with the game described as feature-complete in 2023, though recent delays were attributed to avoiding overlap with GTA 6's launch.
• The new trailer showcases a blend of dogfighting, capital ship life, and first-person combat, drawing comparisons to Mass Effect and Star Trek.

Background

Squadron 42 has been in development alongside Star Citizen since the latter's announcement nearly 15 years ago. Cloud Imperium Games, founded by Chris Roberts, has raised over $1 billion for the Star Citizen project. Previous coverage indicated that the game was described as feature-complete in 2023, with recent delays cited to avoid the media saturation of GTA 6. The game utilizes the same proprietary StarEngine technology as Star Citizen, repurposing systems for a linear, single-player narrative experience.

How outlets are covering it

Rock Paper Shotgun emphasizes the extensive list of celebrity cameos and the cinematic tone of the new trailer, noting the game's blend of sci-fi tropes. Variety provides a detailed breakdown of the cast and the game's setting, highlighting the studio's history and the use of StarEngine technology. GameSpot expresses skepticism about the 2027 release date, citing the game's 12-year development history and recent bugs shown in Star Citizen livestreams, while praising the trailer's quality. iXBT.games reports that activists have criticized the game's promotional materials, specifically objecting to the design of female characters, a perspective not highlighted in the other sources.

Why it matters

The opening of the Steam wishlist and the confirmation of a Q2 2027 release window mark a significant milestone for a game that has been in development for over a decade. The involvement of a high-profile cast and the use of proprietary technology underscore the ambition of Cloud Imperium Games. However, the controversy surrounding character design and skepticism about the release date highlight the challenges faced by long-running projects in the gaming industry.

What to watch

Cloud Imperium Games is expected to provide more details on the game's features and release date as the Q2 2027 window approaches. The studio may also address the criticism regarding character design and the concerns raised by activists. Additionally, the success of the Steam wishlist and the reception of the new trailer will likely influence the game's marketing strategy and fan expectations.