Squadron 42 Delayed to 2027 to Avoid Grand Theft Auto VI Launch

By Sakib Khandokar, Lead Analyst Published Aug 28, 2026, 2:05 PM UTC 1 min read

Industry Report Official details verified High confidence

Squadron 42 Delayed to 2027 to Avoid Grand Theft Auto VI Launch

Cloud Imperium Games has officially delayed the release of Squadron 42 to 2027. The announcement, confirmed by CEO Chris Roberts, marks a shift from the previous 2026 release window shared at CitizenCon 2024.

Reason for the Delay

The decision to postpone the game stems from the impending release of Grand Theft Auto VI. Roberts explained that despite the game being in development since 2014, the team does not want to compete for player attention against the high-profile launch of the next Grand Theft Auto title.

"Much like the rest of the industry there is no way I want to launch my spiritual successor to Wing Commander... launching into the attention buzz saw of GTA6," said Roberts.

Quick Facts

New Release Window: 2027
Previous Target: Q4 2026
Platform: PC
Developer: Cloud Imperium Games

While Grand Theft Auto VI does not have a confirmed PC launch date for November, the developer's statement clarifies that the primary concern is the significant industry impact and audience focus surrounding the title's release.