Star Citizen's Chris Roberts Eyes $1B, Aims For 2026 Squadron 42 Event Rivaling GTA 6

Star Citizen's lead developer Chris Roberts has drawn a daring parallel between next year's standalone single-player campaign Squadron 42 and the much-anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto 6.

Cloud Imperium Games' ambitious space simulation remains one of the gaming industry's most debated projects. Since its crowdfunding kicked off nearly 13 years ago, skeptics have frequently labeled Star Citizen a potential scam, questioning whether a full launch will ever materialize. The game's virtual spacecraft, some priced in the hundreds of dollars, often attract significant criticism.

To date, Star Citizen's accumulated funding stands at a staggering $859 million, as reported on CIG's official website. The developer openly shares financial updates, referring to these contributions as "funds raised."

Last March, CIG indicated that the 1.0 version of Star Citizen was approaching realization, although a specific launch timeline remains unannounced. Roberts has clarified that version 1.0 represents the "complete feature set and content required for a commercial release."

Squadron 42, meanwhile, is targeting a 2026 release. If achieved, this would arrive a remarkable 14 years after the project’s initial crowdfunding campaign began.

Roberts, celebrated for the Wing Commander franchise, estimates Squadron 42 will deliver 30-40 hours of gameplay. A 2024 preview emphasized cinematic cutscenes featuring performances from Hollywood icons like Gillian Anderson, Henry Cavill, Gary Oldman, and Mark Strong, combined with scripted turret combat amid sprawling space battles. The demo concluded with an FPS sequence where alien invaders storm the player's vessel.

A recent French-language feature by La Presse (via PC Gamer), focusing on Cloud Imperium Games Montreal (previously Turbulent), includes Roberts equating Squadron 42's upcoming debut to that of GTA 6.

The report suggests Squadron 42 will arrive during a 2026 window free from GTA 6's shadow, quoting Roberts: "We aim for it to be a similarly massive event. Besides GTA 6, it's likely the highest-budget AAA title in development."

In the same piece, Roberts reportedly confirmed that Star Citizen has surpassed $1 billion in player-backed funding.

It's important to note that Squadron 42 is currently announced only for PC—a platform GTA 6 will bypass at its May 26, 2026, debut on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Roberts' audacious comparison has already met widespread online skepticism, with many dismissing the possibility. Industry analysts project GTA 6 will become the most profitable entertainment launch ever, outpacing all previous video game and film openings within its first day.

La Presse did note, however, that Star Citizen consistently attracts over one million monthly active users, with at least 25 million people having tried the game. This established player base offers Squadron 42 a substantial built-in audience.

As for Star Citizen's core experience, the report states a full release is now slated for 2027 or 2028—or as Roberts described it, within one to two years following Squadron 42's launch.