View source for Squadron 42

{{For|the UEE squadron unit|42nd Squadron}}
{{Infobox temp
|title = Squadron 42
|image = Squadron42-logo.png
|row 1 title = Developer
|row 1 info = [[Cloud Imperium Games]] / [[Foundry 42]]
|row 2 title = Publisher
|row 2 info = [[Roberts Space Industries (publisher)|Roberts Space Industries]]
|row 3 title = Genre
|row 3 info = Single player campaign with [[First Person Universe]]
|row 4 title = Platforms
|row 4 info = Microsoft Windows
|row 5 title = Engine
|row 5 info = [[Star Engine]] (Heavily modified [[Amazon Lumberyard]])
|row 6 title = Release
|row 6 info = TBD
|row 7 title = |row 7 info = |row 8 title = |row 8 info = |row 9 title = |row 9 info = |row 10 title = |row 10 info = |row 11 title = |row 11 info = |row 12 title = |row 12 info = }}
'''Squadron 42''' is a single player space game developed by [[Chris Roberts]] and his development studio [[Cloud Imperium Games]].<ref>[https://youtu.be/yLjk2UvfFRA 10 For the Chairman: Episode 67] from 2015-09-21; [http://scqa.info/?show=10FTC&episode=67&qid=7 Transcript by SCQA]
</ref> It takes place in the Star Citizen universe and is developped in parallel; it was sold together with ''[[Star Citizen]]'' until the game "[[Pledge Store|pledge packages]]" were split on 2016-02-14.<ref>{{Cite RSI|text=Package Split Information|url=comm-link/transmission/15189-Package-Split-Information}}</ref>

== Development ==
SQ42 was announced originally in a [[Crowdfunding campaign|Kickstarter campaign]] in 2012 together with ''Star Citizen''. After the implementation of more [[Stretch Goal|stretch goals]] (the last stretch goal was achieved 2014-11-10) the release was subsequently postponed. In several interviews, [[Chris Roberts|Roberts]] revealed parts of the story. After [[CitizenCon 2015|CitizenCon in 2015]], a new homepage "Answer the Call" showed the date 2016, including an 'Opening Cinematic' speech of Admiral Bishop.<ref>[https://youtu.be/8EC4WHPxnrk Squadron 42: Bishop Senate Speech] (2015-10-10), acc. 2022-10-22

</ref> At CitizenCon 2016 Roberts confirmed a delay of the game. Its release date is currently unknown.<ref>[https://youtu.be/XuDj5v81Nd0?t=1h7m18s YouTube - Citizen Con 2016 Presentation - Timecode 1h7m]</ref><ref>{{Cite RSI|url=squadron42|text=Squadron42 - Answer the Call}}</ref>[[File:SQ42-AnswerTheCall.png|[https://robertsspaceindustries.com/squadron42 Answer the Call]|thumb|right]]

Since then, CIG has provided lore very sparsely and avoided giving any fixed release dates. Reporting about the state of the game continues via the [[Roadmap]] (introduced in 2020), Newsletter and Monthly Reports. Christmas 2017 CIG released the one-hour-long [[Squadron 42 Vertical Slice|Vertical Slice Demo]], part of an Around the Verse Special.<ref>[https://youtu.be/tpVzJiarjvc Squadron 42: Around the Verse - Holiday Special 2017] (2017-12-25), acc. 2022-10-22</ref><ref>[https://youtu.be/qcHAfaQh3QE Squadron 42: Pre-Alpha WIP Gameplay - Vertical Slice w/ Director's Commentary] (2017-12-23), acc. 2022-10-22</ref><ref>[https://youtu.be/BHR1aEdTA4M Squadron 42: Pre-Alpha WIP Gameplay - Vertical Slice] (2017-12-23), acc. 2022-10-22</ref> Short visual teasers were presented in 2018<ref>[https://youtu.be/VppjX4to9s4 Squadron 42 Cinematic Teaser] (2018-10-11), acc. 2022-10-22

</ref> and Christmas 2019,  including known locations from Vertical Slice.<ref>[https://youtu.be/_aCE7gxQOVY Squadron 42: 2019 Visual Teaser] (2019-12-25), acc. 2022-10-22</ref> In 2020, CIG started a YouTube series called 'The Briefing Room', which discussed aspects of Squadron 42, but wasn't continued after one episode.<ref>[https://youtu.be/y-uR8lJFbMY Squadron 42: The Briefing Room - Episode 1] (2020-10-10), acc. 2022-10-22</ref><ref>[https://youtu.be/dO-fWiYJ1I4 SQ42 Update & The Briefing Room Introduction] (2020-10-10), acc. 2022-10-22</ref> In a ''Letter from the Chairman'', Roberts reiterated that 'it is too early to discuss release or finish dates on Squadron 42 and stated 'I am not willing to compromise the development of a game I believe in with all my heart and soul, and I feel it would be a huge disservice to all the team members that have poured so much love and hard work into Squadron 42 if we rushed it out or cut corners to put it in the hands of everyone who is clamoring for it.'<ref>{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/17936-Letter-From-The-Chairman|text=Letter from the Chairman (2020-12-23)|accessdate=2022-10-22}}</ref> Roberts discusssed in a live panel on CitizenCon 2022 that co-developement with the [[Persistent Universe]] and Squadron 42 continued, without giving any details.<ref>CitizenCon 2952 (via Twitch VOD, the panel starts at [https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1618590737?t=03h33m05s 03:33:05] ), acc. 2022-10-08</ref> In the same week, a 9-minute-long video allegedly from Squadron 42 appeared on YouTube, including shots from a battle between UEE and Vanduul ships, figures from SQ 42, spaceship interiors, and some (known) locations.

Playing as a character in the army who doesn't choose what he does but does what he is told to is good for storytelling, for a story with a beginning and an end.<ref>[[Shroud of the Avatar Live Dev Cam]], Richard Garriott, YouTube, 7 Apr 2013</ref> It will nevertheless have branching storylines.<ref>[https://youtu.be/IRE2BBQR4tc?feature=shared&t=1021 Wingman's Hangar ep011 March 8, 2013], Star Citizen, YouTube</ref>

Squadron 42 was announced as feature complete at Citizencon on October 22nd, 2023.<ref>{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/19453-Squadron-42-I-Held-The-Line|accessdate=2023-10-22}}</ref>
== Features ==

{{quote|Take the role of a rookie [[UEE]] Navy combat pilot in a cinematic single-player epic adventure set in the [[Star Citizen]] universe.

* Battle in the stars and face-to-face as you seamlessly transition between dogfighting and ground combat.
* Serve aboard a massive Navy capital ship as your custom character interacts and builds relationships with a living, breathing crew.
* Cutting-edge performance capture brings unprecedented emotion and life to some of your favorite actors.
* Powered by [[CryEngine]], Squadron 42 pushes gaming graphics and fidelity to the next level.|{{Link RSI|url=squadron42|text=Squadron 42}}}}

* Squadron 42 will have "have some level of difficulty setting".<ref>[https://youtu.be/zt4r3ksHXng 10 For the Chairman Episode 62] from 2015-08-03; Transcript by [http://scqa.info/?show=10FTC&episode=62&qid=7 SCQA].
</ref>
* Squadron 42 will have first-person shooter elements.<ref>[https://youtu.be/jo85N7P5UeQ 10 for the Producers: Episode 13] from  2015-11-23; Transcript by [http://scqa.info/?show=10PRO&episode=13&qid=3 SCQA].
</ref>
* Character customization.<ref>[https://youtu.be/GOyEcb5jJfE 10 for the Chairman: Episode 76] from 2016-02-01; Transcript by [http://scqa.info/?show=10FTC&episode=76&qid=10 SCQA].
</ref><ref>[https://youtu.be/PbTQWmXFuM0 10 for the Developers: Episode 10] from 2016-05-16; Transcript by [http://scqa.info/?show=10DEV&episode=10&qid=7 SCQA].
</ref>
* Squadron 42 will have planetary landings and possibly procedural generated planets.<ref>[https://youtu.be/9IubH4hHIFw Star Citizen: 10 for the Chairman - Episode 85] from 2016-07-20; Transcript by [http://scqa.info/?show=10FTC&episode=85&qid=10 SCQA]
</ref><ref>[https://youtu.be/hp5AlLytcn0 10 for the Developers: Episode 13] from 2016-07-06; Transcript by [http://scqa.info/?show=10FTC&episode=85&qid=10 SCQA].
</ref>
* Actions you take can and will affect you when you finally join the PU.<ref>{{Cite Jump Point|title=Foundry 42|volume=02|month=01|startpage=27|endpage=36|accessdate=2014-01-31}}</ref>

== Story ==
{{Spoiler}}
The story will begin during the [[Attack on Vega II|Events of Vega II]] in 2945.<ref>{{RSIForumComment|ref=no|comnum=6778122|text=DevPost stating Squadron 42 start time.}}</ref><ref>[https://youtu.be/7sCTnlihzEY 10 for the Chairman: Episode 79] from 2016-03-14; Transcript by [http://scqa.info/?show=10FTC&episode=79&qid=1 SCQA].
</ref> It will detail the story of the player joining and flying with the [[UEE Navy]]'s celebrated [[42nd Squadron]].

At some point the player will serve on board the [[UEES Stanton]] which is assigned to the [[5th Fleet]], [[87th Battlegroup]] in the [[Odin system]].<ref>[https://youtu.be/qexLUpQJPw8 Squadron 42: The Morrow Tour (LIVE Version)  (Squadron 42: Preview)] from 2015-10-10. Accessed 2016-11-05.</ref>

=== Chapters ===
Squadron 42 will be divided in 3 chapters. Each Chapter will be the equivalent of a large AAA game campaign. Those three chapters are themselves subdivided into more chapters.<ref name=":0">[https://youtu.be/OXpx2C6rFAc?feature=shared&t=127 10 for the Chairman: Episode 59 (2015.04.06]), Star Citizen, YouTube, 7 april 2015</ref>

* Squadron 42 Episode One, which is the Squadron 42 digital download, is to be divided into about 21 chapters or so for a total of about 70 missions, representing roughly 20 hours of gameplay. <ref name=":0" />
* Squadron 42 Episode Two is entitled [[Behind Enemy Lines]], it was to be made available for free upon release to original and veteran backers who pledged before the $6 million mark but was extended to be made available to everyone who pledged before July 6th 2013. It is the Squadron 42 Mission Disk.<ref>{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/13070-A-New-Record-300i-Clarifications|text=A New Record & 300i Clarifications|accessdate=2013-05-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/12811-55-Million-On-To-The-Stars|text=At six million you’ll launch the game with 100 systems, a full orchestral score and a free copy of the first Squadron 42 mission disk, Behind Enemy Lines.|accessdate=2012-09-19}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
* Squadron 42 Episode Three will have to be bought separately.<ref name=":0" />

== Cast ==
{{for|the full cast|:Category:Characters}}

The cast of Squadron 42 includes a strong lineup of A-list actors and actresses including
* Gary Oldman as Admiral [[Ernst Bishop]]
* Mark Hamill as Lieutenant Commander [[Steve Colton|Steve "Old Man" Colton]]
* Mark Strong as Captain [[Thomas Wade]] 
* John Rhys-Davies as [[Randall Graves]]
* Liam Cunningham as Captain [[Noah White]]
* Gillian Anderson as Captain [[Rachel MacLaren]]
* Andy Serkis as [[Thul'Oqquray]]
* Jack Huston as [[Cal Mason]]
* Sophie Wu as [[Cara Webster|Cara "Web" Webster]]
* Ben Mendelsohn as [[Julian Wexler]]
* Ian Duncan as the [[Player characters|Player character]]
[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5194726/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm Full Cast & Crew on IMDb] (As of 2018-02-19, not complete).

== Squadron 42 Soundtrack ==
Squadron 42's soundtrack, composed by [[Geoff Zanelli]], is not yet available, however some tracks have been publicly shared.<ref>[http://www.geoffzanelli.com/projects/star-citizen/ Geoff Zanelli's Website]</ref>

=== Named Tracks by Zanelli ===
* Bishop Speech
* Cutlass Tango
* Old Man Teaser

== Trivia ==

* The name is a nod to the working title for [[Wing Commander I|''Wing Commander'']].<ref>[https://www.spacegamejunkie.com/featured/sgj-podcast-04-chris-freaking-roberts/ SGJ Podcast #04: Chris. Freaking. Roberts]. Space Game Junkie, 03/12/2013</ref>
* Mark Hammill will be on the poster.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=415531131976177 The Game Awards 2015], The Game Awards 2015, It's Mark Hamill facebook fan page, 4 december 2015</ref>
* The Squadron 42 story was loosely sketched out at kickstarter, and didn't finalize until 6 months after.<ref>[https://as.reddit.com/r/starcitizen/comments/3jsdoe/atlas_defense_industries_at_dragon_con_2015_live/ Dragon Con 2015 Q&A], fan report, reddit, 2015</ref>

== See also ==
* {{Link RSI|url=squadron42|text=Squadron42 - Answer the Call}}
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Citizen#Squadron_42 Squadron 42 on Wikipedia]
* [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5194726/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 Squadron 42 on IMDb]
* {{Link RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/16792-Squadron-42-Monthly-Report-September-20182|text=Squadron 42 Monthly Report: September 2018}}

== References ==
<references/>

{{Short description|Single player game}}
[[Category:Development]]
[[Category:Video games by Chris Roberts]]
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