Cloud Imperium Games continues to make strides in the development of its highly anticipated titles, Star Citizen and Squadron 42, despite ongoing skepticism from some fans about their release timelines. In a recent letter to the community, founder and CEO Chris Roberts highlighted the progress made in 2025, countering the notion that these projects are in perpetual development with no end in sight.
One of the most exciting updates this year was the introduction of an experimental virtual reality (VR) mode in Star Citizen, which was dubbed a “Christmas surprise” for fans within the Alpha 4.5 update. Roberts noted that what started as a passion project captured significant attention, with early players expressing enthusiasm for the immersive experience. He emphasized that Star Citizen’s design philosophy, which centers on creating a highly physicalized universe, makes it an ideal candidate for VR gaming. “Keeping first and third-person views consistent in a shared universe takes more effort but enhances the grounded and real feel of the experience,” Roberts explained.
As development continues, the VR mode is expected to see enhancements along with traditional gameplay features. Meanwhile, Squadron 42, the narrative-focused counterpart to Star Citizen, has reached a milestone of being content complete. Currently, developers at Cloud Imperium are testing the game, which is reported to have over forty hours of gameplay. Roberts conveyed optimism about its potential, stating, “Once the remaining polish, optimization, and bug fixing are complete, it will be clear how special this game will be.”
Roberts also highlighted the advanced technology that allows for a seamless transition from on-foot gameplay to flying vehicles without loading screens, promising an immersive experience that is challenging to replicate in other games. However, while Squadron 42’s content is finalized, he cautioned that it could still take years for players to enjoy the finished product, as the polishing phase for such a large project can be lengthy. The continuous updates suggest that Star Citizen will likely remain in its Alpha phase for the foreseeable future, but the developments are encouraging for the game’s dedicated fan base.