Star Citizen's single-player spinoff game, Squadron 42, has been delayed

Creator Chris Roberts admitted that Squadron 42 has 'significantly grown' from the concept pitched back in 2012.

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Star Citizen creator Chris Roberts announced that Squadron 42, a single-player mode spun off from the larger Star Citizen package, won't be released in 2016 (via Forbes).

Roberts admitted that Squadron 42 has "significantly grown" since Star Citizen's initial announcement and crowdfunding campaign back in 2012. Furthermore, Cloud Imperium Games didn't assets from a mission ready to show for the convention.

No release date for Squadron 42 was given. Like the bulk of Star Citizen, one assumes it will be out "when it's done" and not a moment sooner. Roberts is keenly aware of the controversy surrounding the game and any delay associated with it, but maintains that they're necessary. He explained his mindset to the gathered fans prior to announcing the game-mode-turned-standalone-title's delay.

"We want to do it right. It's really important to do it right. What we're enabled to do by you guys is to do it right. Because if we were in the typical situation with a publisher, they would say, 'Well, no, you've got to make the Christmas [release] window; you've got to get it out. You can do some patches and the DLC and don't worry about the people who won't think it's quite as polished and it's got a bunch of bugs.'"

You can hear more from Roberts, and check out the entire two-hour-plus CitizenCon, on YouTube.

Long Reads Editor

David L. Craddock writes fiction, nonfiction, and grocery lists. He is the author of the Stay Awhile and Listen series, and the Gairden Chronicles series of fantasy novels for young adults. Outside of writing, he enjoys playing Mario, Zelda, and Dark Souls games, and will be happy to discuss at length the myriad reasons why Dark Souls 2 is the best in the series. Follow him online at davidlcraddock.com and @davidlcraddock.

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From The Chatty
    • reply
      October 10, 2016 1:32 PM

      [deleted]

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      October 10, 2016 1:54 PM

      Listen to me when I tell you that Squadron 42 has grown folks, its grown to over, you'll never believe this, to over 60 missions. Those missions are tremendous, let me tell you that they have such tremendous dialogue in them, with very very good arcs. I couldn't even, let me tell you, I couldn't even count all the words, its got over a thousand, yes, a thousand pages of dialogue. Its such a tremendous amount of dialogue we're cooking up for you folks. When I look at all the deals we've made, when I see how many A list celebrities we've got, were making something so so great. Its hard to believe. Inconceivable.

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        October 10, 2016 5:02 PM

        It's a DISASTER! Crooked Chris Roberts should be in jail!

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          October 11, 2016 3:47 AM

          We are building three games in one. Other developers only do one game in one! Sad!

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      October 10, 2016 2:03 PM

      wat? I thought that was on the imminent radar

      • reply
        October 10, 2016 2:07 PM

        Imminent by Star Citizen time means it is right on schedule.

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        October 10, 2016 2:11 PM

        The first chapter is being worked on which is 1-2 missions to get to a polished state. Total of 28 chapters so some are going to be 1-2 missions. Something like 40 types of ships to be present in the campaign.

        There was a checklist of sorts of what they have to finish which include pathfinding, AI, optimization, etc during the presentation. The story script and motion capture work was already done.

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          October 10, 2016 2:20 PM

          I am intensely curious at what the fuck is actually going on behind the scenes. I'm sure they have extraordinary turnover with who is assigned to what project, but DAMN. Is anyone gonna bring this to completion? In "real talk" here. I thought there was some talk a while ago about how far along SQ42 actually was, to keep the 2016 label visible across their web site.................

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            October 10, 2016 2:29 PM

            Sounds like they're unifying both technologies used in S42 and PU and are fleshing that out first. Designing ships, assets, and locations is probably the easy part. Tweaking the engine to have an actual spherical planet in a star system with terrain and environments with the tools to edit these manually and procedurally needed to happen first. Initially they were working with an engine that only allowed flat spaces with a skybox. Last night presentation seemed to show that the ground work was focused on that so they can start populating it with the tools they made for S42.

            Watching that part of the presentation (I missed it when it was live and watched it after it was uploaded) pretty much showed everyone where they're at with the work in progress and a lot of it has to be finished before the actual missions can come out.

      • reply
        October 11, 2016 12:25 AM

        Lightyears imminent

        I bet out grandkids are going to enjoy the ships that everybody bought for them

    • reply
      October 10, 2016 2:09 PM

      Oh boy... *dusts off his bittervet uniform*

    • reply
      October 10, 2016 2:09 PM

      This thing will never see the light of day.

    • reply
      October 10, 2016 2:14 PM

      Was waiting for them to admit this. Hoping it sees the light of day eventually, because while Star Citizen isn't my thing, Squadron 42 most definitely will be. If it gets released. :(

    • reply
      October 10, 2016 2:15 PM

      Hahahaha. Jesus, the gift that keeps on not giving.

    • reply
      October 10, 2016 2:26 PM

      Didn't they have a bunch of A-List Hollywood talent lined up for that?

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        October 10, 2016 2:56 PM

        Assuming the script is fully put together that stuff can generally be done well before the game is finished.

      • reply
        October 10, 2016 3:17 PM

        If you check them out on IMDB they are all done with MoCap, all SC participation is in post-production.

    • reply
      October 10, 2016 2:26 PM

      Hahahaha. Well it better come polished with no bugs.

      Lol

    • reply
      October 10, 2016 2:28 PM

      [deleted]

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        October 10, 2016 2:41 PM

        ^^^^^ Pretty bad reporting by the WSJ. It's not coming out in 2016 is how everybody else reported it.

        Everything about what was said indicated that the game is coming out, just not in 2016.

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          October 10, 2016 3:44 PM

          Yeah that was total clickbait on their part. "Indefinitely" just means "no announced date" in this case.

          As Roberts said it's because "they'll shoot me if I give out dates. I'm an Optimist"

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        October 10, 2016 2:59 PM

        I don't doubt that they're still working on it, I just have concerns that they'll never stop.

      • reply
        October 10, 2016 3:03 PM

        Yeah, I'm going to amend the article to reflect that. Another source indicated indefinitely, but the overwhelming majority of articles say "not 2016."

        • reply
          October 10, 2016 3:10 PM

          Try postive spin clickbait, with a low blow.
          "Star Citizen's single-player spinoff game, Squadron 42, has been delayed to avoid a similar fate of No Man's Sky, and X-Rebirth".

          • reply
            October 10, 2016 3:16 PM

            Unlike NMS, Star Citizen guarantees they will have gigantic Dune-like sandworms.

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            October 10, 2016 3:40 PM

            I really like this approach, but it might get some hate from people thinking it's overly generous to the game

            • reply
              October 10, 2016 5:20 PM

              It's a dangerous game. You're either a shill or a hater, may as well be a clickbaiter.

          • reply
            October 10, 2016 5:15 PM

            [deleted]

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            October 10, 2016 7:05 PM

            Star Citizen's single player to be released alongside No Man's Sky's Multiplayer.

      • reply
        October 10, 2016 4:54 PM

        Delayed indefinitely means canceled from strong well off publishers.

        • reply
          October 10, 2016 4:55 PM

          [deleted]

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            October 10, 2016 5:06 PM

            Thats what I mean. They are just an indie who has burned through all of their money. They is no way this is coming back.

            • reply
              October 10, 2016 5:12 PM

              [deleted]

              • reply
                October 10, 2016 6:05 PM

                *rumors* is all we have, since they have failed to disclose financial information as promised when they missed their deadline; but in reality the costs to build four facilities, hire 363 people, hire outside contractors to help 363 people over 3-4 years would have to be getting close to out of donation money, who knows what other funding sources they have.

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          October 11, 2016 1:07 AM

          If a publisher uses the word "indefinitely", yes, I agree. However in this instance they didn't say that, there's just no release date.

      • reply
        October 10, 2016 5:33 PM

        Anyone want to start a betting pool on whether Half-Life 3 or Squadron 42 is released first?

    • reply
      October 10, 2016 5:07 PM

      Can I get my $40 or whatever back for this game?

      • reply
        October 10, 2016 5:10 PM

        If you are an original backer, have a copy of the TOS/Agreement from way back when (because it allowed refunds if the game wasn't released before a certain date), AND you didn't agree to the updated TOS/Agreement (which removed the refund offer), then apparently you can potentially maybe derek smart get a refund if you ask really nicely.

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        October 10, 2016 6:09 PM

        [deleted]

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        October 10, 2016 10:35 PM

        Maybe they'll give it back. But don't expect to ever be able to play it in the future. You'll be effectively banning yourself.
        They don't legally HAVE to give it back, however. A kickstart or a backing is considered a donation, unless the whole company goes under.
        Which, while they continue to show progress, isn't likely to be ruled in your favor should it end up in small claims.

    • reply
      October 10, 2016 5:09 PM

      cue The Price is Right fail horns

    • reply
      October 10, 2016 5:19 PM

      [deleted]

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      October 10, 2016 5:22 PM

      Is their first person stuff still animation priority? Because that felt like wet dog shit.

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        October 10, 2016 10:42 PM

        It's still a first/third unified animation system, but it's been greatly improved. It's a ton less headbob-y, and it seems buttery smooth now.

        Tech and example video:
        https://youtu.be/_7GG0y8Jmcs?t=12m1s

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          October 11, 2016 1:23 AM

          That does look much, much better than before!

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          October 11, 2016 4:23 AM

          Does it feel any more responsive though? It was one of the worst feeling games last I tried it.

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            October 11, 2016 5:24 AM

            It does feel good but what will ruin the experience is the low frame-rate due to server side issues which are due to be resolved in Alpha 3.0. YMMV per server you land on. This week is a freefly week and all ships are available, may as well hop in and give it a shot.

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              October 11, 2016 6:45 AM

              3.1, they noted the net code adjustments likely won't land in 3.0

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                October 11, 2016 6:55 AM

                You gotta be shitting me, I must have missed that blurb somehow. :(

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              October 11, 2016 10:20 AM

              Much like Arena Commander, it wont matter for StarMarine (2.6) as the server load is not as large as the the large scale system of the PersistentUniverse.

              Should be vastly improved, as SM is the FPS arena shooter.

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          October 11, 2016 7:31 AM

          That actually looks really amazing, wow.

    • reply
      October 10, 2016 5:32 PM

      lol. Well. Not surprising, although it was the main reason I was excited about the game

    • reply
      October 10, 2016 5:39 PM

      [deleted]

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        October 10, 2016 5:48 PM

        Roberts has a track-record going back to strike commander at and later with starlancer which had microsoft step in with an axe, tell him to stfu and release what was stable enough eventually.

        2 days before they run out of money they will release whatever they managed to nail together. I'm hopeful that it will be good, I have more faith in his brother at the uk studio than in roberts clusterfuck operation.

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      October 10, 2016 6:22 PM

      Read about this and other gaming news in this month's copy of 'DUH' Magazine.

      http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hrt78jLleHQ/VPLm_JJGICI/AAAAAAAAKRw/fAzc-_-lf-4/s1600/Norm%2BMacdonald%2BDuh%2B1.png

    • reply
      October 10, 2016 7:02 PM

      well at least I only wasted 40 bucks on the game, at least I didn't get to fade2funk levels.

    • reply
      October 10, 2016 7:27 PM

      I'm glad you changed the article title because my god, that's click-baity as hell.

      • reply
        October 10, 2016 7:29 PM

        I'm totally cool with this, by the way. The things they have been showing has me pretty impressed.

    • reply
      October 10, 2016 7:35 PM

      Derek Smart.

    • reply
      October 10, 2016 7:53 PM

      [deleted]

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        October 10, 2016 8:17 PM

        yeah.. there is no alpha 3.0 yet. Still waiting on 2.6, not even in the super secret inner circle testing yet

    • reply
      October 10, 2016 7:55 PM

      [deleted]

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      October 10, 2016 8:24 PM

      It's delayed until it's done.. How the fuck is that 'indefinately'?

      They are working on it, ergo, it will be released.

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        October 10, 2016 10:47 PM

        That's actually what indefinitely means. It doesn't mean forever, it just means it isn't defined.

        Well, technically it can mean either. Which is weird.

        Inflammable.

    • reply
      October 10, 2016 10:43 PM

      Star Citizen can have all the time it needs as long as they're actively working on it. All of us have enough shit to play in the mean time, let them get it right. Diablo 3 took like 10 years.

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        October 11, 2016 3:55 AM

        Do they have enough runway though or are they going to keep having to upsell more ships and so on?

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          October 11, 2016 5:48 AM

          They do. At this point ship sales are no longer about funding the game. They don't need the money anymore. it's about keeping the whales happy. They said as much in one of their weekly update videos.

    • reply
      October 10, 2016 11:12 PM

      I thought the gameplay footage was fun! especially the planet stuff. no multiplayer tho, whats up with that? isn't the constellation a multi-crew ship?
      I was really looking forward to SQ42. I'll have a faster computer next year so thats good, gives everyone some time to catch up to those 'cutting edge' graphics.
      I also like how janky the movement interactions are, I hope that stays. also the shitty floating vehicle wheels, lol. games need to have character, good and bad.

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      October 11, 2016 12:55 AM

      Certainly not the most exciting CitCon this year by any means. Almost 2 hours of recap material and 30 minutes of planetary v2 tech gameplay. Still excited for the project but at this rate who from Shackfleet will still be around for this?

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        October 11, 2016 1:17 AM

        you bring up a good point, we need succession plans, we need to recruit new 4 and 5 year olds who will be trained to fly our mighty fleet!!!

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          October 11, 2016 1:22 AM

          or.. hire NPCs to pilot all those abandoned auroras rusting away in the shackfleet shipyards.

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            October 11, 2016 4:22 AM

            we can always do Aurora rushes, into enemy territory!

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              October 11, 2016 4:24 AM

              Sounds good, as a reward for our uncontested domination we can high five by touching Aurora tips!

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      October 11, 2016 2:55 AM

      [deleted]

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      October 11, 2016 3:28 AM

      The game which added features like this http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/en.futurama/images/0/0c/Gary_Gygax.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20090628112216 and the design document second is delayed? Say it ain't so.



    • reply
      October 11, 2016 7:27 AM

      Haha how'd I miss this one yesterday. Good for them, at this point just reach for the stars or crash and burn!

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