Star Citizen's Chris Roberts Eyes 2026 Squadron 42 Launch as Rival to GTA 6

Star Citizen's lead developer Chris Roberts has made a striking statement regarding next year's standalone single-player game, Squadron 42, likening its anticipated impact to that of the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 launch.

Cloud Imperium Games' ambitious space simulation remains one of the most debated projects in gaming history. Since its crowdfunding campaign began nearly 13 years ago, Star Citizen has faced varied reactions—some skeptics even labeling it a potential scam, questioning if a full release will ever materialize. The game's virtual spacecraft, with some models priced in the hundreds of dollars, frequently attract critical attention.

To date, Star Citizen has accumulated a staggering $859 million in funding, as disclosed by CIG on its official website, where the company transparently shares revenue figures under the category "funds raised."

In March of last year, Cloud Imperium Games indicated that Star Citizen's 1.0 launch was approaching, though a definitive release date remains unannounced. Roberts has clarified that the 1.0 version will represent the "commercial release," complete with the intended features and content.

Squadron 42 is currently slated for a 2026 debut. If it launches as planned, it will arrive a remarkable 14 years after Star Citizen’s initial crowdfunding initiative.

Roberts, famed for the Wing Commander franchise, estimates that Squadron 42 will provide 30-40 hours of gameplay. A 2024 preview featured extensive cinematic sequences, blending CGI cameos by Hollywood actors like Gillian Anderson, Henry Cavill, Gary Oldman, and Mark Strong with scripted turret combat set within an epic space battle. The demo concluded with a first-person shooter encounter after alien forces boarded the player's vessel.

A recent French-language report by La Presse—highlighting Cloud Imperium Games Montreal, the rebranded entity formerly known as Turbulent—cited Roberts comparing the significance of Squadron 42’s launch to that of GTA 6.

The report suggests Squadron 42 will release during a period in 2026 when it won't be eclipsed by GTA 6. Roberts added, "We're aiming for it to be nearly as momentous. Aside from GTA 6, it may well be the most expensive AAA title."

In the same article, Roberts reportedly confirmed that Star Citizen has generated just over $1 billion in player contributions.

It's important to note that Squadron 42 has so far only been announced for PC—a platform GTA 6 is expected to bypass upon its May 26, 2026, launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Still, Roberts’ audacious comparison has drawn widespread skepticism online, with many declaring the idea implausible. Industry analysts project GTA 6 will break records as the largest entertainment launch ever, surpassing all previous video games and films in earnings within its first 24 hours.

La Presse did emphasize, however, that Star Citizen consistently attracts over one million monthly returning players, with at least 25 million individuals having tried the game at least once. This existing audience provides Squadron 42 with a solid foundation for its release.

As for Star Citizen itself, the report indicates the full version is now expected sometime between 2027 and 2028—or, as Roberts described, within one to two years following Squadron 42's arrival.