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Should you’ve had a sinking feeling that 2021 has been gentle on video games, you’re not improper: We’re witnessing probably the most delay-heavy years in gaming’s historical past. In our 2021 predictions, we famous that this was a really actual chance as a result of long-term results of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whereas a few of 2020’s releases acquired shuffled round, these video games had been largely close to the top of their improvement cycle. The true fear was what the pandemic would imply for video games that weren’t fairly as far alongside.
That nervousness has turn into actuality. For the reason that very starting of the yr, seemingly no title has been protected from a dreaded delay, as among the yr’s greatest video games transfer additional down the road or to subsequent yr. That’s led to a a lot slimmer launch schedule than followers initially anticipated heading into what was projecting as an thrilling yr for gaming. Right here’s a roundup of all the foremost online game delays which have occurred to date.
Outriders (April 1)
Microsoft
Outriders had a troublesome time locking down a launch date. Initially positioned as one of many huge video games that may launch alongside next-gen consoles in late 2020, developer Individuals Can Fly quietly pushed it again to February 2. As 2021 acquired into full gear, the sport acquired delayed as soon as once more, this time to April 1. Earlier than the discharge, gamers acquired a demo on February 25 that coated the primary few hours of the total sport.
Returnal (April 30)
Amongst Sony video games, Returnal at all times appeared like the largest lock to hit its launch date. Whereas Sony was obscure about dates for video games like Ratchet & Clank: Drift Aside and Horizon Forbidden West, it had been agency on the third-person shooter’s March 19 launch date. It had even proven up persistently in sizzle reels over the previous few months, which made it look like it was comparatively protected from a delay. Sadly, Sony delayed it by a little bit over a month to April 30 to permit developer Housemarque to shine the sport. At this level, this checklist is beginning to look pretty similar to the checklist of our most anticipated PS5 video games.
Axiom Verge 2 (August 11)
Axiom Verge 2 was probably the most anticipated indies of the yr. The Metroidvania-style sport is a long-awaited sequel to a beloved 2015 traditional. It was such a scorching commodity that Epic snatched it up as a PC unique by way of the Epic Video games Retailer. Nonetheless, its launch date modified a number of instances earlier than it really launched. It was initially alleged to launch in 2020 earlier than being pushed to the primary half of 2021. Then it was delayed once more, to the third quarter of 2021. After an extended wait, it shadow dropped on the Nintendo Change eShop and Epic Video games Retailer on August 11, following a Nintendo Indie World Showcase.
Humankind (August 17)
Even video games which might be simply weeks away from launching aren’t protected from potential delays. Just some weeks earlier than grand technique sport Humankind was alleged to drop, the sport was pushed again to August 17. The Civilization-like sport’s sudden shift sounds a little bit extra normal than that of among the different titles on this checklist. Developer Amplitude Studios merely famous that it was taking extra time to answer participant suggestions from a current take a look at. It could take an additional few months to work on options like accessibility, A.I., and pacing. It will definitely made that adjusted August 17 launch date, getting optimistic opinions.
Deathloop (September 14)
Deathloop Official Twitter
It has been an extended street to Deathloop. When Arkane Studios introduced its stylist first-person shooter, it appeared prefer it was primed to launch with the PS5. The sport was ultimately moved out of 2020 and scheduled for a launch within the first quarter of 2021. That quietly grew to become a Might 21 launch day earlier than it was pushed again even additional, with Arkane citing the well being and security of its workforce as a major cause for the delay. Deathloop lastly launched on September 14, 10 months after the PS5’s launch in November 2020.
SkateBIRD (September 16)
SkateBIRD will get the award for the most effective delay announcement. Whereas most studios are likely to put out long-winded apologies full of canned PR traces, the indie skateboarding sport went a sillier route. A brief video exhibits a pc on the brink of add the sport in time for its deliberate August 12 launch date. That’s, till the sport’s titular chicken botches a skateboard trick and bails out over the keyboard. The machine malfunctions and thus, the sport is delayed to what can be its last launch date: September 16. Arduous to be too upset about that one.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits (September 21)
Not each delay has been a significant push. Some video games have skilled smaller delays to permit builders extra time to shine the ultimate product. That’s fairly normal within the gaming world, and also you’d anticipate to see schedule shifts like that no matter a well being disaster. Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an efficient instance of that. The charming journey sport was initially set to launch on August 23, but it surely acquired a brief, one-month delay. It will definitely launched on September 21.
New World (September 28)
Not even Amazon is resistant to the present sport delay wave, although which will have much less to do with COVID-19 than it does for different video games on this checklist. The corporate has been making an attempt to interrupt into gaming for fairly a while now, with weak outcomes. Its free-to-play multiplayer sport Crucible had a very rocky life span after it was put again into beta after which outright canceled. Amazon’s subsequent sport, New World, is having related issues. Initially scheduled to launch this spring, the sport was pushed again to August 31 after which delayed once more to September 28. Amazon says the choice was made to make sure the sport had a correct endgame when it launched, so it’s seemingly the studio was making an attempt to keep away from the identical pitfalls video games that Marvel’s Avengers hit at launch. It didn’t find yourself really launching till September 28.
Again 4 Blood (October 12)
There was some excellent news and unhealthy information for Again 4 Blood this yr. Initially, the unhealthy information was that the Left 4 Useless non secular successor acquired delayed to October 12 after initially being deliberate for a summer time 2021 launch. No particular cause was cited for the transfer exterior of the same old “want extra time” be aware. The excellent news is that the multiplayer sport acquired an open beta over the summer time as an alternative. So, happily, gamers acquired an opportunity to play it across the time the total sport was alleged to launch. It will definitely launched on October 12, simply in time for Halloween.
Riders Republic (October 28)
Following Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake’s delay, Riders Republic was the only Ubisoft sport that had but to be pushed again in some type. Sadly, that didn’t final lengthy. Initially scheduled for a February launch, the sport was initially pushed again to “later this yr,” with no particular time-frame connected. We wouldn’t get its September 2 launch date till this yr’s Ubisoft E3 presentation, which lastly shared full particulars on the sport. However as one last twist, the sport was delayed once more only a month after it acquired a launch date. It lastly launched on October 28.
Battlefield 2042 (November 19)
Battlefield 2042 is a big sport. It options the sequence’ greatest maps but and can assist 128-player matches on next-gen consoles and PC (last-gen will solely get 64-player multiplayer video games, which remains to be substantial). All that thought-about, it’s comprehensible that Ripple Impact would want a number of additional weeks to complete it. Citing issues with the pandemic as a foremost cause for the delay, Battlefield 2042 will now launch on November 19. Will a number of additional weeks be all it takes to repair no matter points are excellent? It doesn’t appear completely seemingly, however we’ll know quickly sufficient.
Photo voltaic Ash (December 2)
Photo voltaic Ash is likely one of the most attention-grabbing indie titles of the 2021 vacation season. The motion sport comes from Coronary heart Machine, the studio behind the hit Hyper Gentle Drifter. It ditches pixel artwork for absolutely 3D graphics and gameplay that’s extra about motion than fight. In our preview, we referred to as it “Shadow of the Colossus on ice.” The sport’s launch window has moved round fairly a bit, although October 26 appeared like it might be the ultimate date. Nonetheless, a last-minute push simply weeks earlier than its launch places it at December 2 as an alternative.
Halo Infinite (December 8)
Whereas it was initially scheduled for a 2020 launch alongside the Xbox Sequence X debut, Microsoft delayed Halo Infinite indefinitely. We now know that the corporate is planning for a fall 2021 launch, placing it a full yr out from its unique launch plan. Like many video games on this checklist, it’s not absolutely clear if the pandemic has been a key think about Halo’s delay. Whereas firms like Ubisoft have been clear concerning the struggles of make money working from home, others are a bit extra tight-lipped about why the schedule shake-ups are taking place. Regardless of the case could also be, Halo Infinite’s delay is probably the most vital to happen but. Now, it’s set to hit Xbox consoles and PC on December 8, barring any extra delays.
5 Nights at Freddy’s: Safety Breach (December 16)
For followers of the 5 Nights at Freddy’s sequence, the street to the upcoming Safety Breach has been an extended one. The horror sport was initially alleged to launch in late 2020, but it surely was quietly pushed to early 2021. Finally, creator Scott Cawthorn confirmed that the sport was transferring to late 2021, placing it a full yr out from its unique launch window. Cawthorn famous that the sport’s scale had ballooned throughout the improvement course of, requiring extra money and time for it to be accomplished. It’s now set to launch on December 16.
Rainbow Six Extraction (January 2022)
It’s been an extended street for the subsequent installment within the Rainbow Six sequence. The shooter was initially scheduled to launch throughout the vacation 2020 season. On the time, it was titled Rainbow Six Quarantine — a title that shortly grew to become awkward because the pandemic pressured the world into lockdown. We wouldn’t see the sport once more till E3 2021, the place Ubisoft gave it a grand reveal. The newly named Rainbow Six Extraction was set to be an enormous fall launch, touchdown on September 16. Only one month later, Ubisoft shockingly delayed the sport to January 2022, pushing it over a yr previous its unique launch window. It’s now rumored for a January 20 launch date, per a leak.
Dying Gentle 2: Keep Human (February 4, 2022)
The weirdest a part of 2021 is that its huge vacation season has bled into early 2022. Normally, we see the wave of huge video games finish in early December as firms attempt to snatch up vacation gross sales. That received’t be the case this yr, as January and February 2022 are loaded with overflow. Living proof, Dying Gentle 2: Keep Human was initially scheduled for a December 2021 launch, however has now been pushed to February 4, 2022. Begin scrolling down this checklist and also you’ll see why that’s simply the beginning of an unusually crowded month … that’s, if these video games don’t get delayed once more.
King of Fighters XV (February 17, 2022)
Whereas some video games have been delayed a number of months as a result of challenges of the pandemic, others have seen a lot deeper delays. King of Fighters XV was initially scheduled to launch in 2020 earlier than getting pushed to 2021. Midway by way of the yr, the combating sport was pushed again once more — this time to 2022. SNK attributes the delay to the still-rising variety of COVID-19 circumstances in Japan, which may sign that extra Japanese productions may see surprising delays. It’s now set to launch on February 17, 2022.
Future 2: The Witch Queen (February 22, 2022)
Final summer time, Bungie introduced an formidable and thorough plan for the subsequent few years of Future 2. The developer deliberate to drop three main expansions, one every year till 2022, beginning with 2020’s Past Gentle. This yr, the plan was to proceed that growth’s story with The Witch Queen, however now these plans are altering. Bungie delayed the growth to the primary half of 2022 as a result of coronavirus and the sport’s scale, that means gamers received’t get a significant Future 2 growth this yr. It’s now scheduled to launch on February 22, 2022. Bungie didn’t point out whether or not 2022’s Lightfall growth would additionally shift as a part of the schedule change.
Sifu (February 22, 2022)
Sifu was trying like it might be considered one of 2021’s greater indie releases. The martial arts sport made an enormous splash, debuting throughout considered one of Sony’s State of Play displays. Whereas developer Sloclap hoped to launch the sport by the top of 2021, it will definitely made the choice to delay the sport to 2022 — and for good cause. In a tweet asserting the transfer, the developer notes that the delay will stop its workforce from crunching to complete the sport. Sifu is now scheduled to launch on February 22, 2022.
Elden Ring (February 25, 2022)
The yr isn’t over but, however we’re already beginning to see delays hit 2022 video video games. Elden Ring was closely rumored for a vacation 2021 launch, but it surely ended up touchdown in January 2022 as an alternative (which seemingly does point out that Bandai Namco had initially aimed for a vacation spot and couldn’t hit it). Because it seems, that launch date nonetheless wasn’t last. The sport has been pushed again one other month to February 25. To assist make the wait simpler, developer FromSoftware will maintain a closed take a look at for the sport this yr the place gamers can attempt it for themselves.
Horizon Forbidden West (February 28, 2022)
Not loads has been sure this yr, however one factor appeared like a foregone conclusion was that Horizon Forbidden West can be delayed. Regardless of Sony spending the whole thing of 2021 hyping that it might hit the PlayStation 4 and 5 by the vacations, it didn’t share a lot data on the sport. We solely acquired one State of Play presentation devoted to it, exhibiting off a little bit footage. When that stream didn’t give a agency launch date, it appeared clear that Aloy’s subsequent journey wouldn’t make it out this yr. Positive sufficient, Sony formally delayed the sport to February throughout Gamescom.
Ghostwire Tokyo (Early 2022)
It didn’t come as a lot of a shock when Ghostwire: Tokyo acquired a delay. First introduced at E3 2019, the sport has barely popped up since. It acquired one gameplay trailer, which gave a way of the way it performs, however few particulars in any other case. Contemplating how 2021 has gone to date with delays, a pushback was beginning to really feel inevitable. That hunch was right, as Ghostwire: Tokyo is now slated for an “early 2022” launch. The sport’s developer cited workforce well being and security as a foremost cause for the delay, which has turn into a typical chorus this yr.
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (Spring 2022)
Even Lego isn’t protected from delays. With the sport calendar clearing out, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga was shaping as much as be one of many extra pleasant releases this spring. It by no means acquired a agency launch date, although, which began trying like a crimson flag the deeper we acquired into March. TT Video games introduced that it might not make its spring window and was transferring the sport. No new launch window was given on the time. The put up didn’t even say if it’s anticipated for 2021 in any respect anymore. Whereas it nonetheless doesn’t have a agency launch date, it’s now scheduled for a spring 2022 launch.
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp (spring 2022)
Frankly, it’s not surprising to see Advance Wars 1+2: Re-boot Camp get pushed into 2022. When the Recreation Boy Advance remaster was introduced at E3 2021, it acquired a December 3 launch date. Nonetheless, that was the very last thing we actually heard about it. As the vacation season approached, Nintendo’s advertising efforts had been extra targeted on Metroid Dread and Mario Occasion Superstars. We haven’t heard a peep about Advance Wars by comparability and now we all know why. The sport has been pushed to a spring 2022 window, with no set launch date. Contemplating that Kirby and the Forgotten Land is Nintendo’s huge March sport, its attainable we don’t see Advance Wars till April or Might.
God of Struggle (2022)
When Sony formally revealed the PS5 in 2020, it made lots of huge guarantees. We noticed video games like Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Horizon Forbidden West, which set some gargantuan expectations concerning the console’s first yr. Probably the most eyebrow-raising second got here when Sony revealed a sequel to 2018’s God of Struggle. Regardless of solely getting a brand reveal, Sony positioned a 2021 launch date on it, which appeared unrealistic on the time. So it got here as no shock when Sony lastly delayed the sport to 2022 following a yr of silence on the mission.
Gotham Knights (2022)
Gotham Knights was initially scheduled to launch someday in 2021, however many followers predicted {that a} delay was inevitable. So it’s not shocking that the subsequent huge Batman sport has been pushed to 2022. Warner Bros. casually introduced the sport’s new launch window with a generic message about giving the sport extra improvement time. At this level, it’s extra surprising when main studio video games launch on time, reasonably than once they don’t.
Gran Turismo 7 (2022)
Gran Turismo 7 getting delayed is each shocking and fully apparent directly. Sony appeared fairly assured that the sport wouldn’t solely launch in 2021, however within the first half of the yr. Contemplating that anticipated launch window, it appeared like the sport was seemingly in good condition and would launch by the top of the yr, even with a delay. Nonetheless, Sony has been completely silent on the sport, signaling that one thing was off. In an interview with GQ, Sony confirmed that the sport was present process “COVID-related manufacturing challenges” and would now launch in 2022. With that huge delay, it now seems to be like solely three main Sony first-party releases will come out in 2021 … and that’s provided that Horizon Forbidden West nonetheless drops in 2021 as deliberate.
Hogwarts Legacy (2022)
Hogwarts Legacy was set to be considered one of 2021’s greatest energy gamers. The open-world Harry Potter sport was first proven throughout a PlayStation 5 livestream, signaling that it might be a next-gen sport to look at. Sadly, the title has been pushed again a full yr to 2022. Warner Bros. hasn’t clarified how deep into 2022 the sport is anticipated to launch, so subsequent yr is already trying like as a lot of a thriller as this yr.
Resident Evil Re:Verse (2022)
Miraculously, Resident Evil Village made its deliberate Might 7 launch date with no delay. That’s an more and more uncommon feat amongst huge studio productions this yr. Sadly, the identical can’t be mentioned for Resident Evil Re:Verse. The multiplayer sport was alleged to launch the identical day as Village, however now it was shortly pushed again to a obscure summer time 2021 window, which grew to become a barely much less obscure July 2021 window. The choice got here shortly after the sport’s first beta, which was stuffed with matchmaking points. When July lastly rolled round, Re:Verse nonetheless didn’t launch; as an alternative, it acquired delayed once more. Now the sport received’t launch till someday in 2022, making this considered one of 2021’s most vital delays.
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum (2022)
Again when new console discuss was first making the rounds in 2019, Lord of the Rings: Gollum was one of many first video games to be confirmed for next-gen. The considerably mysterious sport initially appeared prefer it was on observe to be a PS5 or Xbox Sequence X launch title, however that by no means panned out. In reality, particulars concerning the sport have been sparse since its announcement and all we’ve recognized is that it was supposed to come back out someday in 2021. Now, the sport has been delayed to someday in 2022 following a brand new publishing deal between Nacon and Daedalic Leisure.
Digimon Survive (2022)
Digimon Survive has been within the works for a very long time. First introduced in 2018, the sport initially regarded like it might launch in 2019. The sport was delayed to 2020, then delayed as soon as once more to 2021. The cycle continues, as a result of the long-awaited sport will now arrive in 2022 — we hope, at the very least. A message from Recreation Producer Habu Kazumasa introduced the delay, merely noting that extra time was wanted. Will the fourth time be the appeal right here? Who is aware of, however at the very least the troubled mission hasn’t been canceled but.
Pragmata (2023)
Pragmata was tentatively scheduled to come back out in 2022, but it surely’s price mentioning right here as a result of it highlights how long-term the business’s issues could be. In line with a Sony video reel dropped throughout CES, Capcom’s mysterious sci-fi sport has been pushed again to 2023. For the reason that video got here out, Sony has since launched a brand new model that scrubs the sport out of the nice print, together with all different third-party video games.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake (TBA)
Ubisoft is a recurring identify on this checklist. Even earlier than 2021, the corporate began making vital adjustments to its plans. Far Cry 6, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Quarantine, and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Recreation – Full Version had been all moved out of their 2020 launch home windows, signaling that extra titles may observe. So far as deliberate 2021 releases go, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake was the primary to maneuver. Initially slated for a January 20 launch, the remake was shifted a number of months to March 18. Now, Ubisoft has introduced that the sport is delayed indefinitely. A February 5 tweet updating followers on the sport’s progress now merely says it’s popping out “at a later date.” Oddly, 2021 isn’t talked about in any respect, which may imply a a lot greater shift than anticipated is going on.
Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2 (TBA)
That is the roughest delay story of the yr to date. Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2 has been delayed indefinitely after it was scheduled to launch in 2021. Why? As a result of the sport’s lead developer, Hardsuit Labs, has been fired. Writer Paradox Interactive confirmed that the sport remains to be in improvement, however that it might be stepping into a distinct route transferring ahead. On high of changing the sport’s developer, Paradox has canceled all pre-orders for the sport completely. The sport was already delayed as soon as after it was scheduled to launch in 2020, so the newest transfer actually makes the state of affairs behind the scenes sound a bit dire.
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