Accessing Squadron 42 requires a registered Roberts Space Industries (RSI) account, regardless of whether you backed the project directly or plan to play through Steam. Official game listings confirm that even with the campaign appearing on digital PC storefronts, a third-party RSI account is required and supports direct linking to your Steam profile.
Depending on when and where you acquire the game, account entitlements differ between standalone single-player access and older bundled packages.
Roberts Space Industries Account Requirements
Every player must maintain an active Roberts Space Industries account to register game licenses, link external platforms, and access modules developed by Cloud Imperium Games.
According to the official Steam listing for Squadron 42, the title features single-player gameplay, Steam Cloud, and Steam Achievements, but explicitly carries a third-party account requirement:
- Third-Party Registration: Requires an active Roberts Space Industries account.
- Platform Linking: Supports linking your Steam account to your RSI credentials to unify achievements and game status.
- Client Handling: The Steam client interfaces with the RSI infrastructure to authenticate game entitlements upon launch.
For users creating an account for the first time on the RSI website, referral codes can be entered on the Enlist page. Entering an enlistment referral code adds 50,000 United Earth Credits (UEC) to the account profile, which becomes accessible if you choose to participate in the connected Star Citizen Persistent Universe. Referral codes must be submitted during initial account registration or within 24 hours of account creation.
How to Check if Your RSI Account Owns Squadron 42
Many long-time backers already hold a license for the single-player campaign without realizing it, while newer players may only own the multiplayer Persistent Universe.
According to official package information from Cloud Imperium Games, pledges purchased prior to February 14, 2016, bundled both Star Citizen and the Squadron 42 campaign together. Packages bought after that date split the two experiences into separate standalone products or paid add-ons.
To verify whether your existing RSI account includes the campaign:
- Log into your account on the official Roberts Space Industries website.
- Select your account profile in the top-right navigation menu and open the My Hangar tab.
- Locate your pledge or starter package card in the hangar inventory list.
- Click the triangular expand icon next to the package name to view all included digital entitlements.
- Look through the itemized list for Squadron 42 Digital Download.
If your package displays only Star Citizen Digital Download, the account holds access solely to the multiplayer Persistent Universe and does not include the single-player campaign. Conversely, standalone campaign packages or grandfathered pre-split packages explicitly display both line items. Account holders who previously dissolved ("melted") eligible packages retain the ability to reclaim them using store credit or buy-back tokens via the pledge buy-back section.
Steam Integration and Platform Specifications
Squadron 42 is listed on the Steam store by developer Cloud Imperium Games and publisher Roberts Space Industries, with a planned release timeline targeting Q2 2027. The game runs as a native 64-bit application with the following hardware specifications documented on the official storefront:
| Specification | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 11 (64-bit) |
| Processor (CPU) | Intel Core i7 (Sandy Bridge or later) / AMD Bulldozer or later |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB |
| Graphics (GPU) | DirectX 11.1 compatible graphics card with 8 GB VRAM |
| DirectX Version | Version 12 |
| Broadband Storage | 150 GB available space |
| Network | Broadband Internet connection |
The Steam client listing confirms full audio support for English, along with interface and subtitle localization across 10 languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (Latin America), Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, and Simplified Chinese.
Squadron 42 Progression and Account Rewards
While Squadron 42 is an offline, story-driven single-player experience starring an ensemble cast including Mark Hamill and Gary Oldman, achievements on your RSI account link directly to the broader Star Citizen universe.
Completing chapters and reaching military milestones in the UEE Navy during the Squadron 42 campaign unlocks persistent account rewards. These include citizenship status in the United Earth Empire, reputation ratings, and unique cosmetic livery that carry over to the multiplayer Persistent Universe on the same unified RSI profile. Additionally, account access to Squadron 42 includes eligibility to launch the Arena Commander simulator module to practice flight mechanics and vehicular combat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does buying Squadron 42 give me access to the Star Citizen multiplayer universe?
No. Since the package split in February 2016, Squadron 42 and the Star Citizen Persistent Universe have been sold as separate standalone games. Standalone Squadron 42 pledges grant access to the single-player campaign and the Arena Commander flight simulator, but do not provide entry to the open-world Persistent Universe unless a Star Citizen game package is also attached to your RSI account.
Can I launch the game on Steam without an RSI account?
No. The official Steam storefront explicitly notes that a third-party Roberts Space Industries account is required to launch and play the game, using Steam account linking to authenticate ownership and synchronize client data.
When will Squadron 42 be released?
According to public listings published on Steam, the planned release window for Squadron 42 is scheduled for Q2 2027.
