Pre-production of Star Citizen began back in the simpler days of 2010, with the famous Kickstarter campaigns taking place two years later. In 2016, developer Roberts Space Industries (RSI) split Squadron 42 from the main Star Citizen product, selling it as a standalone game for $45 or $15 if you also bought the MMO.
https://www.techspot.com/news/88106-no-beta-or-release-date-star-citizen-squadron.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger
https://www.techspot.com/news/88106-no-beta-or-release-date-star-citizen-squadron.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger