Star Citizen Delays Squadron 42 Again, Citing GTA 6
Star Citizen's Squadron 42 delayed to 2027, with developer claiming GTA 6 release would steal attention from their long-awaited single-player campaign.
The update
Star Citizen’s single-player campaign, Squadron 42, has been delayed again to Q2 2027, marking another significant setback for the ambitious project that has been in development since 2014. Developer Chris Roberts cited the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6 as the reason for the delay, claiming that Rockstar’s blockbuster would dominate industry attention and coverage.
Why it matters
This delay represents the latest chapter in one of gaming’s most troubled development cycles. Squadron 42 was originally slated for a 2016 release and has been pushed back multiple times since. The project has raised over $1 billion from its fanbase, making it one of the most expensive games ever developed. The explanation for this delay—avoiding competition with GTA 6—raises questions about whether this is a legitimate strategic decision or another convenient excuse for ongoing development challenges.
What to watch
Will Chris Roberts provide a concrete release date for Q2 2027, or will this delay be followed by more postponements? How will the community react to this explanation, given the project’s history of delays? Will the promised October previews actually materialize and provide tangible evidence of progress?
Sources
- kotaku.com — providing context on the project's troubled development history
- ign.com — confirming the delay and developer's stated reasons