Cloud Imperium Games Reaches Milestone for Squadron 42, Promising ProgressÂ
For over a decade, the development journey of Star Citizen’s single-player campaign, Squadron 42, has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by delays, speculation, and scrutiny. However, fans of the ambitious space simulator can now breathe a sigh of relief as Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) recently announced a significant milestone: Squadron 42 has reached the “feature complete” stage.
Squadron 42’s tumultuous development history dates back to its inception as part of the original Star Citizen Kickstarter campaign in 2012. Over the years, it was spun off into a standalone story campaign. Despite its promise and ambition, the game experienced numerous delays and protracted periods of silence that left supporters wondering about its future.
In 2015, CIG aimed to reignite enthusiasm by announcing a star-studded cast, including legendary names like Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, and Gillian Anderson. Cinematic trailers were released, showcasing the cast in action, with other notable actors like Andy Serkis, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Strong, Harry Treadway, Jack Huston, and John Rhys-Davies also joining the project. Squadron 42 was envisioned as the spiritual successor to Chris Roberts’ iconic Wing Commander series, generating even more anticipation among fans.
While CIG’s recent announcement that Squadron 42 is “feature complete” is a significant milestone, the developer stopped short of providing a release window. The focus now turns towards the beta phase and eventual release, marking a crucial step forward.
Star Citizen itself is no stranger to controversy, often facing criticism for the high costs of its virtual spaceships and questions about whether the project would ever see a full launch. Despite these challenges, it has amassed a staggering amount of funding, with over $616 million raised at the time of this article’s publication, contributed by more than 4.8 million backers. This immense financial support is a testament to the enduring excitement and belief in the project’s vision, even as it navigates the complex landscape of game development. As Squadron 42 inches closer to completion, it signifies a potential turning point for Star Citizen’s intricate and ambitious universe.