The game is currently scheduled for release in 2026 .

The refers to a significant internal review video that surfaced in October 2022. While originally appearing in lower quality, it showcased various in-engine environments and cinematic sequences that Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) had intended to keep private. Key Details of the 9-Minute Leak SQ42 FULL 9MIN LEAK Better Quality mp4

The video is primarily an internal montage showing diverse environments, character models, and brief glimpses of gameplay, including dogfighting and on-foot segments. It concludes with a large-scale fleet battle against the Vanduul. The game is currently scheduled for release in 2026

High-quality official previews, such as the Squadron 42: I Held The Line video and CitizenCon demos, now provide a much clearer look at the game than the older leaks. Key Details of the 9-Minute Leak The video

Scenes are rendered in-engine on the game client rather than being pre-rendered cinematics, highlighting the technical state of the project at the time of the review.

As of late 2025, all chapters of the game were reported to be fully playable from start to finish. The project is currently in a final polish and optimization phase.