Title: “After 11 Years in Development, Star Citizen’s Squadron 42 Campaign Enters Final Polish Phase”
Subtitle: “Chris Roberts’ Ambitious Space Game Nears Completion with Feature-Complete Single-Player Campaign”
Date: [Insert Date]
After more than a decade of development, Star Citizen’s highly anticipated single-player campaign, Squadron 42, has finally entered its “polish phase.” This significant milestone was announced by the game’s creator, Chris Roberts, during the annual CitizenCon event held for the game’s backers.
Roberts, the designer behind the iconic Wing Commander franchise, initially revealed Star Citizen back in 2010. He aimed to revolutionize the PC gaming landscape by engaging fans throughout the development process, a departure from his previous experience working in isolation on Freelancer.
The game’s development has not been without hurdles, but the dedication of its passionate community has led to incredible success. To date, over $616 million has been raised from more than 4.8 million Star Citizens, making it one of the most financially successful crowdfunding projects in history.
Squadron 42, which serves as Star Citizen’s standalone single-player experience, is now “feature-complete.” Richard Tyrer, senior game director on Squadron 42, emphasized the team’s focus on ensuring the game is enjoyable and immersive. Viewers were treated to a 26-minute video showcasing cinematic footage of the game, including its star-studded cast featuring Mark Hamill, Gillian Anderson, Andy Serkis, Gary Oldman, and others.
Despite this significant progress, eager fans are still waiting for a concrete release date or window. Roberts assured them that when the team has a locked release date, fans will be the first to know. The polish phase is expected to take some time, highlighting the developers’ commitment to delivering a high-quality experience.
Star Citizen’s development has been a long and winding journey. Following a crowdfunding campaign that raised nearly $50 million, an early-access version of the game’s dogfighting component, known as Arena Commander, was released in 2014. The game’s true MMO-style persistent universe, titled Star Citizen, remains in development, with Squadron 42 serving as its prelude.
Over the years, the team at Roberts Space Industries has prioritized transparency by involving players in early-access builds and incorporating their feedback. Although this level of openness has had its trade-offs, the developers appreciate the close connection with their community. Roberts has repeatedly defended the project’s scale, stating that Star Citizen’s size and ambitious vision are part of what makes it extraordinary.
Throughout the lengthy development process, Star Citizen faced setbacks and controversies. A lawsuit against Crytek’s CryEngine, which resulted in a settlement, further delayed the release of Squadron 42. In a bid to avoid unnecessary distractions, the development team discontinued the issuance of target dates for features more than one quarter away, acknowledging the vocal contingent of Roadmap watchers.
While a specific release date for Squadron 42 remains unknown, Cloud Imperium Games’ COO, Carl Jones, estimated that the game would require one to two more years of development in January 2022. As Star Citizen’s dedicated fan base eagerly anticipates the game’s arrival, Roberts and his team are committed to delivering the grand and immersive space epic they have promised.
In the ever-evolving world of video game development, Star Citizen’s progress is a testament to the power of community engagement and perseverance. As the highly anticipated Squadron 42 nears completion, it offers a promising glimpse into the future of PC gaming.