Squadron 42 roadmap released, currently planned release date: Q2/3 2020

As promised, CIG has finally released the roadmap for Squadron 42. You can find it on their website:

https://robertsspaceindustries.com/roadmap/board/2-Squadron-42

The roadmap is split into two parts. A "features" part which shows all the stuff that needs to get done for gameplay, tech, etc and an "overview" part which basically shows all the chapters that need to get done and how far along they are. To avoid spoilers, they didn't give the titles of the chapters and the descriptions are generic.

There are/will be 28 chapters in Squadron 42, each containing their own set of missions and story elements and what not.

The last remaining major piece that needs to get done (for SQ42) is the AI. They're going for relatively advanced AI so it's not an easy task. They currently have 4 AI programmers and are looking to hire 3-4 more to feel confident it can get done in time.

Speaking of hiring, the roadmap is made with the assumption that they will hit certain hiring goals to make sure that the team is fully staffed to complete their tasks on time. Delays to these goals can affect the roadmap. So if you're a game dev or know someone who is, and are interested in working on this project then you know what to do. I think they currently have 94 positions open across their studios.

Lastly keep in mind that everything on the roadmap is an estimate and therefore subject to change, including the release date (obviously). If you're interested in following it, they'll be updating it every week, normally on friday, together with the Star Citizen Roadmap.

-----

Some news that's not related to the game itself but I feel like should be added, CIG has brought in some investors who now control 10% of the company for 46 million dollars. The money will be used for marketing Squadron 42. They specifically looked for people that care about the project etc. They were actually approached by some other investors but turned them away because they might not fully understand the project. You can read more about it here:

https://cloudimperiumgames.com/blog/letter-from-the-chairman/investment-news

On a side note I guess this means their company is currently worth 460 million dollars? Not bad.

Also they've published their financials from 2012 to 2017 which you can find here:

https://cloudimperiumgames.com/blog/corporate/cfo-comment-2012-2017-financials

I'm not a finances guy so I'm not going to talk about it (I also haven't read it all yet), but from what I've read on reddit they seem to be doing fine.

-----

Anyway, personally I was hoping for a late 2019 release but was expecting mid-late 2020 and it seems I was about right. Quality takes time so I'm ok with waiting. I know it will be good.

In the meantime Star Citizen will continue to get its quarterly updates which should make the wait for SQ42 easier (if that's what you're looking forward to). 3.5 is looking great so far with the new flight system and ArcCorp coming in, among a bunch of other cool stuff. You can find the SC roadmap in the same link I posted, just click on the logo on the left.

About the investors, I don't mind it. Chris keeps control of the company and they don't have to listen to any big publishers like EA. CIG promised that they would use the money they get from crowd funding only for the development of the game and they intend to keep their word. But in order to sell a big game you need big marketing money and that has to come from somewhere.

So, what are your thoughts about all this?

My thoughts.

I should be playing it already. Instead I have to wait because Chris Roberts is busy making an mmo.

So...LMAO, by the time these guys release this generation long beta, consoles will be able to play it fully and in 4k no less?

Who else here predicted the game wouldn't release until next gen and that they would then port it over to consoles because the only thing stopping them from doing it before now was hardware limitations?

lol herms, thanks for the beta test and endless funds you pored into this project so we console fans can play if fully without investing a dime.

With the announcement date of 2020 you know this will get ported to consoles right herms?

I thought about it years ago and I still expect a console port at some point and it only makes sense for it to happen (talking only about SQ42, idk about SC). Current consoles might be potatoes but next gen are (I believe) expected to run on an AMD ryzen cpu (whichever gen) and navi gpu. This should be enough to run SQ42 at decent frames and settings. Idk how long it would take them to make a port but a year after release it could happen. This would bring in a lot of money to fund further development and make sci fi more popular etc.

You can keep hoping.

lol what a begger. Playing this game on a controller will be a nauseating experience, have fun.

@GarGx1 any videos? was it the christmas live stream? I havnt had time to keep up

@kali-b1rd: There was no livestream this year, they just released an ATV where they talked about SQ42 stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxqaaXlGNCk&t=396s

lol it's not begging, it's guarantee to happen with that 2020 release date and you know it.

It's not something I'm waiting on or even care about, just laughing at you hermits who bragged about this PC exclusive all generation only to find out it's not being fully released until, wait for it, the official start of the next generation.

It's not going to be the end all be all for graphics compared to next gen exclusives sorry to break it to you, so all your hyping was just to beta test for console gamers.

Even then I wont even touch anything except the campaign and only if it gets excellent reviews, otherwise I'll get it in the bargain bin.

Graphically inferior version with a controller ... lol. IF your fantasy begging becomes a reality.

Either way, yet another big game that wouldn't exist without PC platform.... that actually pushed the boudnaries, not TPS movie game 1231233

Honestly you can keep Scamcitizen. It looks like trash, by the time its out it'll be an outdated mess of a product.

LMAO...I told you I give 0 facks about SC. Seriously I couldn't care less if it ever even releases.

I just like digging at you silly hermits and your pipe dreams of better quality games than console, and when PC finally had some light at the end of the tunnel when Star Citizen was revealed early this gen...it finally get reveled to be releasing when it's compatible with console hardware.

Funny that huh? Cyberpunk was already reported to be developed with PS5 dev kits in mind for 2020...let's not play dumb here.

If this game had an announcement any time before that date, I would only speculate but, it's kind of a no brainer now.

Finally, no need to cry about Sony exclusives herming because PS5 exclusives will destroy any PC game for the next couple of years and you can continue to be butthurt.

So......2025 then?

This is why big game should have funded by publisher. kickstarter is failed.

@tgob89: umm you do have to buy it I guess?? Also in what world will ps5 exclusive destroy pc graphic? PS3 and 4 graphic was vastly inferior to pc on release and I see no indication that it will change with ps5...

Would probaly also not be holding my breath for any worthwhile exclusive anywhere near latch for ps5, Sony have a really terrible track record on having any interesting games launching with their system...

Good things come to those who wait. :)

@GarGx1: @GarGx1:

Do not and I mean do not feed the trolls. You do know even if it were to release on consoles these guys won't play it. SC/SQ42 isn't the kind of games these guys usually play on consoles. At most they will brag about the dumbed down game pretending to be the same as PC version to supposedly 'own' PC gamers for losing an 'exclusive'. Just look at original Crysis.

I believe it when I see it.

"We don't need to go to anyone with deep pockets to make OUR dream a reality." -Chris Roberts in 2014.

The rumours that CIG is running out of money are starting to sound more and more believable.

At least they don't give any damn to those braindead SJWs and Resetera users similar to Rockstar.

Hope this game succeeds.(And it already is, since people that actually play the Alpha are in love with this game.)

Microsoft Console Exclusive confirmed ????

well thats something. i was hoping for 2019. i thought they were further along than they clearly are. but 2021 it is. the main thing is they need to get it out and it needs to deliver big time (no pressure). if they do that then the message will turn from "Scam citizen" to "HOLY CRAP!! i didn't know games could do that." very quickly.

in hindsight i think they really should have focused on S42 first: build all the tech needed for that, then moved onto star citizen. working on both has really bitten them.

@tgob89: difference is we are getting console ports that are superior compared to consoles while you are getting an inferior product and you are happy about it

I mostly care about Star Citizen and the Persistent Universe. The idea of playing as a space pilot in this detailed world, which offers unprecedented freedom (simulation), along with my friends really captured my imagination at first. It appears that getting the complete experience gets pushed back and back with resources diverted to S42. It's taking so long that I've lost all interest in the game.

Transparency is good. I am a backer and while I am enjoying watching the development of the game, participating (albeit in a small way) in its development, I have to admit I often wonder WTF they are doing lol.

I got this email from them a few days ago, skimmed it. Thanks for making this post and reminding me to read it more in depth @kweeni It's good to know that Star Citizen is still being responsible and, despite the cynics, doing quite well.

Plenty of stuff to play in the meantime. Hell I am enjoy another space sim, X4: Foundations, right now so I've got my fix.

*Also why isn't this in Games Discussion? It's going to get all mucked up with pissy bitches.

I hope some day it does get ported, especially if it incorporates cross-platform multiplayer, but I think you give consoles too much credit. They're generally a few years behind PC gaming as far as tech/capability goes. Maybe in 2030 the game could get ported to console? If it happens at all. There are too many features in Star Citizen at the moment, way too much of that would get lost in translation.

Totally worth the wait and in the meantime, I have lots of games to keep me busy by 2020 :)

Why do people talk shit about Star Citizen when it has the most open game development in the history of gaming?

Yet they devotedly slurp games made by companies that continues to nickle and dime gamers through microtransactions.

I hope this actually happens. I was a big fan of wing commander.... hope S42 is similar. I really backed just for this game. I never thought the full mmo would be my style... but you never know.

?

How so ? .... but I'll be glad if it comes to consoles , considering that it doesn't affect the gameplay experience

Yeah it kind of just popped up, they did send out a Chairman letter though, so we new before the road map was available. I was hoping for some new trailers as well though.

There will also be alpha and beta tests for Squadron 42, though to be honest I'll avoid them like the plague.

IIRC they talked about releasing SQ42 to the evocati when it hits its final stage of development (beta?) but it definitely won't be open for everyone so no need to avoid the game lol. That said with all the leaking that always happens with the evocati, avoiding the forums and reddit like the plague might be a good idea. That is if they still intend to go through with the evocati thing for SQ42.

And yeah I too was hoping for a new trailer or something. I think having the roadmap does make up for it, at least in my opinion anyway. Also now that they a decent size marketing budget for SQ42 we might start seeing more trailers and what not next year (probably in the second half) as we slowly get closer to release and they finally begin their advertising campaign. Depending on how well they can keep the roadmap on track anyway.

Oh I know, one day I'll learn. :)

Honestly, and it's something I said years ago, I can see Squadron 42 getting a console release in some form or another but it will be some time after it's out on PC. Star Citizen on the other hand is extremely unlikely, mostly due to way that C.I.G. want to control the game and they won't be paying patching fees to Sony or MS to do that.

@kweeni: Just reading it from the Squadron 42 road map. Q1 2020 - Alpha/Optimisation, Q2 2020 - Beta

Yes there will be an alpha and beta of SQ42 but that doesn't mean it will be open for everyone. They still have their own QA teams to test the game. Alpha in this case means the game is feature complete and they're now adding the final touches like hdr and optimizations etc, and beta is basically polish and bug fixing.

Why does a single player game Squadron 42 need a beta? The creators of this game will keep the gravy train going by delaying as long as possible. It will also look inferior to PS5/Scarlett games in 2020. I guess hermits need to hold on to any decent looking exclusives they have, even though it will likely get ported to consoles anyway.

That's probably what he's betting on.

Yeah, I know about all that. I mean CIG didn't hide it from the backers or anything, it has been known for a while. CIG even said they are not opposed to console versions if it doesn't compromise their vision/gameplay or like you said controlling how SC functions. They even had PS4/X1 dev kits.Though we do know, deep down they are afraid and begging for it to show up on consoles for the very reasons I highlighted earlier.

These poor consolites still don't realize we are not petty enough to drive amusement by keeping others from playing a game. Whenver PC gamers rioted over a game going multiplat, it was because it was dumbed down from the previous installment, gameplay was compromised/streamlined, downgrades etc. to draw in the console crowd over the fans that made the series popular in the first place. It was never because we lost an exclusive.

Just another PC timed exclusive...

Seriously, I couldn't care less.

Hopefully Squadron 42 has some nice content or I may skip it all together. Hermits seem to have high standards only in technical bullet points but little to no standards for actual execution and quality so the game could just end up being a nice looking clusterfuck.

as far as your silly "superior" nonsense.

What are your PC specs bud?

Why do all hermits talk about the ass about superior this and that when the largest chunck of you are running potatoes.

Listen, unless you're running some $1200 set up you're not going to have anything even close to "superior" to NEXT GEN consoles...or did you bump your head and forget what kind of tech next gen systems will be pushing? 10 - 15TF Navi GPU, RyZen + or RyZen 2 CPU.

Is YOUR current PC even this powerful?

Will you next upgrade be at least 50% of more powerful than that next gen console estimate?

If not you can forget about a superior anything. If you're anywhere close to this you're likely going to get an INFERIOR version because PS5 is a set hardware and can be optimized.

Far more to it that 5 sony exclusives put together though, not everyone wants the same easy trash over and over again.

1) You clearly care enough to beg for a console version (WITH A CONTROLLER LOL, may swell scrub your face with a cheese grater )

2) Has the most high quality exclusives by a landslide, poor you, even the switch it going to outclass SONY by the end of the gen in that department.

3) PS4 is the 3rd best place to play the games LOL .... you get what you pay for

4) Sony Exclusives will no longer be a thing, only timed exclusives... sucks to be you!

"Playstation - For the Lowest Common Denominator"

The same thing is said EVERY generation.

And the same thing happens EVERY generation.

"Oh hey consoles caught up... for 6-12 months" then the same old process repeats, because people upgrade. And idiots like you repeat this same mistake every generation, quoting hardware specifications that you barely understand and just keep forgetting that whatever launch specs are, they are dated within 12 months. Because a £300 box no matter how cheaply made cannot match a £1000 box with non-mobile hardware.

1080 TI here, couldn't care less if a console in 2-3 years time beats it... I've had this one nearly 2 years, thats 5 years of complete and utter superiority ... and the same will happen again with the 3080 TI or whatever comes along then. Hell my 970 before it beat the originals and you had to buy a frigging mid-gen upgrade to overcome that short victory.

But hey, maybe the PS5 will have a handful of pretty games again over the course of 7 years and 80+ million sales... but still somehow end up with less than nintendo LOL

I still want to know why they spent $25, 000 on Star Trek sliding doors at their offices.

Or the $15,000 espresso makers.

Or the $10,000 custom couches.

And I want to know how Chris Roberts is able to afford his mansion and all these vacations he goes on with his nice cars.

This company is so full of it and this game is never coming out.

@ajstyles: Multiple hit games and selling a development studio to Microsoft tends to make you a very, very wealthy person. A quick search can tell you all of that and more.

So, what I've been reading from posts above me is that Star Citizen might potentially come out on the next generation consoles because they might be at par with current PC specs. And from what I know of Chris Roberts is that he likes money. Put two and two together and BOOM.

I'm actually genuinely starting to regret my backing of this project.

@kali-b1rd: star citizen and SQ42 are pretty much a PC timed exclusive, why are you upset over this?

@Damedius: as one of the original backers I totally agree. I bought in for my Wing Commander successor and sadly it is taking forever because he is also trying to make the largest most in depth space mmo ever. It’s cool and all but I just wish I can play SQ 42 already....

Yet another alt from the same select group of people.

We mayaswell call every game a timed exclusive these days. All Sony games will be on PS Now, Nintendo games will be emulated, Microsoft Windows releases.

Only one platform will have them all ;)

Settle down now pointless alt, you only need one account to fail on.

@ajstyles: Because its a main studio of the company. In LA. But most importantly that's where interrogations with investors are held. It should be fancy.

Other 4 studios tho look pretty generic compared to it so you shouldn't be worried about 25K doors(lmao bullshit) in other studios

About cars and stuff - funny how people tear their asses trying to convince people on the internet that Chris is spending money on supercars and bitches WHILE CIG openly and transparently releases their financials based on Companies House report - UK's government registrar of companies.

https://cloudimperiumgames.com/blog/corporate/cfo-comment-2012-2017-financials

@kali-b1rd: why are you still upset? The game is simply a timed exclusive, you might as well accept it. No need to drool with anger. :)

Why do you care if all games are timed exclusive?