New Flight Model Completed in Squadron 42: CIG Drops Master Modes (October 6, 2026)
In the first episode of its Q&A format "10 From the Community," CIG confirms the new flight model is complete and functional in Squadron 42, with no Master Modes. Weapons, quantum drive and radar depend solely on power distribution.
CIG has published the first episode of 10 From the Community, a Q&A format in which Rich Tyrer (senior game director), Ian (creative director) and Carl (gameplay engineering director) answer ten questions submitted by the community. On the agenda: Mission System 2.0, Maelstrom, engineering, AI blades, storing armor in ships, the redesign of the medical screen and the pain points of sandbox activities. The most significant announcement concerns the flight model.
A Flight Model Without Master Modes
According to CIG, the new flight model is fully complete and functional in Squadron 42. It has no Master Modes. The functions within reach, namely weapons, quantum drive and radar, depend solely on the power distribution chosen by the player.
In practice, it becomes possible to power your weapons at the same time as your quantum drive and radar by adjusting your own power sliders. Power management therefore becomes manual again, without switching between predefined modes. CIG also confirms the quantum boost feature during quantum travel.
Suit Lockers and Level 3 Insurance
The episode also provides details on equipment storage. Suit lockers will be used to save complete loadouts, for example an anti-radiation set, an FPS set and a flight set. The player will be able to switch from one to another in a single interaction. Level 3 insurance will cover both weapon racks and suit lockers.
Reconnection and Next Episode
On reconnection, the developers say they want, as far as possible, to place the player exactly where they were before disconnecting. This applies even in a group or aboard a ship. CIG presents this as a goal, with no schedule or target version.
The studio is already calling for questions for the next episode, which will focus on the future of the game's professions: hauling, mining, salvage and crafting. A Reddit thread lists the twenty most upvoted questions for that installment.
What We Still Don't Know
Several questions remain open. CIG has not given an arrival date for the new flight model, either in Squadron 42 or in the persistent universe. Suit lockers and exact reconnection are presented as intentions, with no target version. For a condensed version of the episode, the video by Cpt_Foxyloxy covers the main points.
Upcoming signals to watch: the episode on professions, whose date is not yet known, and the weekly schedule. A Comm-Link and a subscriber-only newsletter are expected on Tuesday, followed by the September Persistent Universe monthly report, a roadmap update and a Roundup on Wednesday.