Standalone Squadron 42 pre order options are currently unavailable on both the Roberts Space Industries (RSI) web store and third-party digital platforms. Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) delisted the standalone pledge package in May 2023 ahead of a planned price adjustment, leaving the game unavailable for standard purchase. While Squadron 42 now has an official Steam store page, it is currently restricted to player wishlists with no active pre-order checkout.
Current Squadron 42 Pre Order Status and Availability
Players looking to secure a standard standalone copy of Squadron 42 cannot do so through the normal RSI pledge store. CIG removed the original $45 standalone pledge option in May 2023. At the time, developer representatives stated on the Spectrum forums that the game was pulled at its legacy price point and would return at a later date reflecting an updated retail price.
As of late 2026, direct purchasing remains restricted across all primary channels:
- RSI Pledge Store: The standalone game package is unavailable. Aside from legacy high-tier account packages (such as multi-ship fleet bundles exceeding $1,100) or standalone merchandise like the $10 digital strategy guide, standard game licenses are not currently on sale.
- Steam Storefront: Cloud Imperium Games published an official Steam store page for Squadron 42 (App ID 4045720). The page lists a planned release date window of Q2 2027 and allows players to add the title to their wishlist, but pre-purchase functionality has not been enabled.
- Account Requirements: The Steam listing confirms that the game will require a third-party Roberts Space Industries account that links directly to your Steam account.
The Pledge Store Delisting and Buyback Restrictions
Prior to the May 2023 delisting, many Star Citizen backers acquired Squadron 42 either as a standalone add-on or bundled alongside Persistent Universe starter packages. Backers frequently used CIG's "melting" feature to convert older packages into store credit, placing those items into a personal buyback queue for later reacquisition.
In 2026, CIG updated its store backend to block backers from buying back melted packages that contain Squadron 42. When attempting to use store credit or buyback tokens on these older pledges, players encounter an error noting that the package is unavailable because it contains discontinued or limited promotional offers.
While players who retained their original, un-melted Squadron 42 game packages still own their copies and are slated to receive access at launch, any melted pledge containing the single-player campaign cannot be retrieved under current store rules. Speculation across community discussions suggests this change was implemented to prevent discounted packages from circulating into grey-market exchanges ahead of the commercial marketing campaign.
Expected Pricing and Playtime Scope
Because CIG removed Squadron 42 specifically to update its price structure, the game is widely expected to return to digital storefronts at modern AAA pricing.
- Price Range Estimates: Community expectations and creator forecasts place the upcoming pre-order price between $40 and $80, with potential deluxe or multi-tier editions reaching higher price points. However, CIG has not officially published the finalized retail figure.
- Campaign Length: Developer notes and production updates indicate that a standard playthrough of the single-player campaign will take approximately 40 to 45 hours. Completionist runs that explore all optional content are estimated to reach around 70 hours.
- Persistent Universe Rewards: Progressing through and finishing the Squadron 42 campaign is designed to award cosmetic items, military gear, blueprints, or citizenship standing usable inside Star Citizen's persistent universe.
Release Window and Platform Information
Squadron 42 is officially targeted for release in Q2 2027. The studio adjusted the launch window out of late 2026 to avoid congested commercial launch frames—specifically referencing major industry releases such as Grand Theft Auto 6—and to provide additional polish across all chapters.
Beyond standard PC desktop play, developer updates have outlined several key platform specifics:
- PC Exclusivity vs. Consoles: The game is confirmed for PC via the RSI Launcher and Steam. While historical CIG job postings have referenced knowledge of current- and next-generation console hardware, console editions have not been officially announced.
- Virtual Reality (VR) Support: Full VR support is planned for launch. CIG developer communications confirm that VR implementation has progressed from an internal passion project into an official feature. Because Squadron 42 utilizes physicalized cockpits and environments, it naturally accommodates head tracking and high-resolution headsets, though developers note it is not built from the ground up as a motion-controlled, room-scale title like Half-Life: Alyx.
- Single-Player Focus: Unlike the Star Citizen MMO, Squadron 42 is a narrative-driven military space adventure starring an ensemble cast that includes Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, Gillian Anderson, Henry Cavill, and Liam Cunningham.
Squadron 42 PC System Requirements
The official Steam store page outlines the initial minimum PC specifications required to run the game:
| Component | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 11 (64-bit required) |
| Processor | Quad Core CPU (Intel i7 Sandy Bridge or AMD Bulldozer or later) |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | DirectX 11.1 compatible GPU with 8 GB VRAM |
| DirectX | Version 12 |
| Storage | 150 GB available space |
| Network | Broadband Internet connection |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pre-order Squadron 42 right now?
No. Standalone pre-orders are currently unavailable on the RSI pledge store, and the Steam page only offers a wishlist option. CIG is expected to re-open pre-orders alongside its expanded marketing push closer to release.
When will Squadron 42 be released?
According to official updates from Chris Roberts and the Steam store page, Squadron 42 is scheduled to launch in the second quarter (Q2) of 2027.
Do I need to buy Star Citizen to play Squadron 42?
No. Squadron 42 is a standalone, single-player game. You do not need to own a Star Citizen Persistent Universe starter package to play the campaign, although linking an RSI account is required.
If I bought Squadron 42 years ago, do I have to buy it again?
If you currently own a game package on your RSI account that includes Squadron 42, your copy remains valid. However, if you melted that package for store credit, CIG has disabled the ability to reclaim Squadron 42 packages from your buyback queue.
