Chris Roberts, the lead developer behind Star Citizen, has boldly compared the upcoming single-player spinoff Squadron 42 to the monumental launch of Grand Theft Auto 6, expected next year.
Cloud Imperium Games' ambitious space simulator stands as one of the most contentious projects in gaming history. During its nearly 13-year journey since crowdfunding began, Star Citizen has been labeled everything from visionary to a potential scam by skeptics questioning its eventual launch. The sale of virtual spacecraft, some fetching hundreds of dollars, remains a frequent point of critique.
To date, Star Citizen has amassed a staggering $859 million in funds, according to publicly available figures on CIG's website. The developer transparently reports this as total "funds raised."
Last March, CIG indicated that Star Citizen's feature-complete 1.0 release was finally on the horizon, though a specific launch window remains unannounced. Roberts describes the 1.0 milestone as representing the core features and content set for a full commercial release.
Squadron 42 is currently slated for a 2026 launch. If it meets that date, it will arrive a full 14 years after the initial Star Citizen crowdfunding campaign began.
Roberts, famed for the Wing Commander series, promises Squadron 42 will deliver 30-40 hours of gameplay. A 2024 demo showcased cinematic cutscenes featuring CGI performances by stars like Gillian Anderson and Henry Cavill, alongside scripted turret sequences in massive space battles. The preview culminated in a first-person shooter segment where players repel alien boarders.
A recent French-language report by La Presse, focusing on Cloud Imperium Games Montreal (formerly Turbulent), quotes Roberts drawing a parallel between Squadron 42's launch and that of GTA 6.
The report suggests Squadron 42's 2026 timing is intended to avoid being eclipsed by GTA 6, with Roberts stating, "We're hoping it'll be almost as significant an event. Aside from GTA 6, it's likely the highest-budget AAA game in development."
In the same interview, Roberts confirmed total funding raised from players for Star Citizen has now surpassed $1 billion.
It's important to note that Squadron 42 is currently confirmed only for PC—a platform GTA 6 will initially skip when it launches on consoles in May 2026. Roberts' audacious comparison has sparked widespread skepticism online, with many dismissing the notion. Analysts project GTA 6 will become the most lucrative entertainment launch ever, poised to break revenue records within its first day.
However, La Presse noted that Star Citizen maintains over one million monthly active players, with at least 25 million people having tried the game. This established community could provide Squadron 42 with a substantial built-in audience at launch.
As for the persistent Star Citizen project, the report indicates a target for full release around 2027 or 2028—or, as Roberts phrased it, roughly one to two years after Squadron 42 debuts.
