DOC-42SQ-008 · Unit Archive

Answer the Call

"Answer the call" is Squadron 42’s signature recruitment line — the tagline of the official CitizenCon trailer published October 12, 2018. In-fiction, it is the UEE Navy’s invitation to enlist; the campaign casts you as the recruit who answers it.

Source
CIG OFFICIAL
Updated
MAY 2025
Status
ACTIVE
Star Citizen — portrait of a UEE Navy pilot in flight gear. Screenshot; illustrative.
FIG. 08-A · A recruit reports for duty (illustrative)

Origin

The 2018 CitizenCon Trailer

Cloud Imperium Games published the Squadron 42 CitizenCon trailer on October 12, 2018. It introduced the campaign's cinematic tone and its ensemble cast, and it framed the whole game as a recruitment pitch: the UEE Navy needs pilots, and the player is the one who steps forward. That framing — answer the call — has anchored Squadron 42's marketing ever since.

Source: RSI Comm-Link — Squadron 42 CitizenCon Trailer (2018)

In Fiction

What You Are Answering

In the fiction, the call is the United Empire of Earth's appeal for volunteers. The player enlists as a new UEE Navy recruit and is assigned to serve alongside the 42nd Squadron in the Odin system, on the front line against the Vanduul. Squadron 42 is a military story told from the bottom rung: you are not a chosen hero, you are a recruit who signed up.

Today

Answering the Call in 2026

Squadron 42 itself targets a 2026 release window, announced at CitizenCon 2954 — iheldtheline.com tracks every official release-date statement. Until it ships, the playable way into the universe is Star Citizen, the separate multiplayer game. Creating an account is free, and enlisting with a referral code starts you with a 50,000 UEC bonus.

FAQ

Common Questions

What does "answer the call" mean in Squadron 42?

It is the game's signature recruitment line — the framing device that casts the player as a civilian who enlists in the United Empire of Earth (UEE) Navy. In Squadron 42, answering the call means signing up, reporting for duty, and serving with the 42nd Squadron against the Vanduul.

Where does "answer the call" come from?

The official Squadron 42 CitizenCon trailer, published by Cloud Imperium Games on October 12, 2018. The trailer introduced the star-studded cast and closed on the recruitment framing that has anchored Squadron 42's marketing since.

How do you answer the call today?

Squadron 42 is not out yet — it targets a 2026 release window, announced at CitizenCon 2954. Until it ships, the way in is Star Citizen, the playable multiplayer game in the same universe: create an RSI account, and enlisting with a referral code starts you with a 50,000 UEC bonus.

Sources

Official Sources Only

Every factual claim on this page is verified against official Cloud Imperium Games sources. Names, dates, and figures are checked against the primary RSI Comm-Link or page linked below — not third-party wikis or trackers.

  • 'Answer the call' is Squadron 42's signature recruitment line, originating in the official Squadron 42 CitizenCon trailer published by CIG on October 12, 2018 (comm-link 16801).

  • New RSI accounts created with a referral code receive a 50,000 UEC enlistment bonus.

  • CIG announced a 2026 launch window for Squadron 42 at CitizenCon 2954 (October 2024).