Controversial Sci-Fi Game Finally Releasing After A Decade
The controversial sci-fi game Squadron 42 is finally getting its release, a decade after it was first announced. Cloud Imperium Games (CIG), the developer behind the highly anticipated space simulation game, has announced that the campaign portion of the game is now “feature complete.” According to IGN, it’s taken 11 years for the game to reach this point since it was originally going to be released as part of Star Citizen before getting split off to become its own game.
Part of the infamous Star Citizen Kickstarter campaign, Squadron 42, has been in development for 11 years.
Squadron 42 was initially introduced as part of the Star Citizen Kickstarter campaign in 2012 before eventually being separated from the main game to become a standalone story campaign. Since its inception, it has endured numerous delays and long stretches of silence from the developer.
Over the decade, the Star Citizen spin-off has created plenty of anticipation, especially after announcing the inclusion of Hollywood A-listers in 2015, such as Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, and Gillian Anderson. Cinematic trailers featuring these stars in action were released, generating excitement and anticipation among the gaming community. Additionally, other notable actors like Andy Serkis, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Strong, Harry Treadway, Jack Huston, and John Rhys-Davies became involved in this ambitious project, considered by many as the spiritual successor to Chris Roberts’ legendary Wing Commander series.
According to the figures displayed on CIG’s official website at the time of this article’s publication, Star Citizen has raised a staggering $616,272,619 from over 4.8 million accounts.
Despite the high-profile cast and stunning trailers, the game’s development faced challenges, including a series of delays that left fans questioning if Star Citizen’s single-player spin-off Squadron 42 would ever see the light of day. However, CIG’s recent announcement suggests that the project is inching closer to completion.
While CIG has refrained from providing a specific release window for Star Citizen, they have confirmed that the team has now transitioned into the polishing phase, where they will work to optimize and fine-tune every aspect of the gameplay experience. Their goal is to deliver an unparalleled cinematic adventure to players who have patiently waited for this moment.
In a statement, CIG expressed their excitement for Star Citizen, saying, “We are excited to announce that Squadron 42 is now feature complete. As we move into the polishing phase, we’re fully focused on optimizing and fine-tuning all aspects of the gameplay experience to deliver an unprecedented cinematic adventure.”
Over the decade, the Star Citizen spin-off has created plenty of anticipation, especially after announcing the inclusion of Hollywood A-listers in 2015, such as Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, and Gillian Anderson.
The announcement of Squadron 42‘s feature completeness is a significant milestone for Star Citizen, a project that has been mired in controversy over the years. Critics have labeled it a potential scam, and the exorbitant prices of virtual spaceships, costing up to hundreds of dollars, have been the subject of widespread criticism. However, despite the red flags, the game has managed to procure an extremely large amount of funding.
According to the figures displayed on CIG’s official website at the time of this article’s publication, Star Citizen has raised a staggering $616,272,619 from over 4.8 million accounts. This colossal sum speaks to the fervent support and dedication of the game’s community, which has continued to back the project despite the many hurdles it has faced during its lengthy development journey.
As Squadron 42 edges closer to completion, the gaming world will be watching closely to see if Star Citizen lives up to the monumental expectations that have been built up over the years.
