CGMagazine has compiled a list of what games are being pushed for a later release date across 2020, along with updates from developers on when they are expected to come out.
Many developers for this year’s anticipated titles are on their way to store shelves in the next few months. Sequels, remakes and other ambitious projects including Cyberpunk 2077 inch closer to a fully-realized product which were announced over the past few years.
But as news of a delay reaches communities online, some developers also re-committed themselves by taking more time to work on their games past original release dates.
Some of the factors include performance improvements, additional content and even changing staff members on a few occasions to finish a project.
Here are some of the games developers are taking extra time to work on before they leave the studio:
Cyberpunk 2077
Developer: CD Projekt Red
Original Release Date: April 16, 2020
New Release Date: September 17, 2020
Systems: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia
CD Projekt Red’s large-scale RPG was originally trailer-teased in 2013, kicking off plenty of speculations and excitement for the studio’s transition to a sci-fi setting.
Since then, the studio had devoted itself in developing The Witcher games while small updates were shown for Cyberpunk 2077 (which adapts itself from a 1990 tabletop RPG).
That all changed when a sizzle trailer and lengthy gameplay demo were both shown in 2018, signifying the team was making big progress for Night City and the jobs players will be taking on.
Further (breathtaking) announcements at Xbox’s E3 2019 presentation revealed that Keanu Reeves was going to be an AI accompanying players across their journey. Reeves also appeared on stage to state the game’s original April release date.
On Jan. 16, the studio posted a tweet to followers and stated the game is being given five more months to “make the game perfect.”
The team’s co-founder Marcin Iwinski and studio head Adam Badowski also confirmed Cyberpunk 2077 was finished and could be played, “but there’s still work to be done.”
Marvel’s Avengers
Developers: Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Montreal, Square Enix
Original Release Date: May 15, 2020
New Release Date: September 4, 2020
Systems: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia
After receiving Marvel’s go-ahead to produce a AAA superhero game based on the titular team, Square Enix revealed a “multi-year, multi-game” partnership starting with two developers.
A trailer also dropped on the same day, telling fans they were going to control their favourite superheroes.
The game also echoes the experience of a cancelled Avengers game for the same movie in 2012.
A brief note from Crystal Dynamics’ co-heads Scot Amos and Ron Rosenberg stated they made “the difficult decision” to release Marvel’s Avengers to early September while apologizing to fans for an additional four-month wait.
The update also explained the team was focused on “fine tuning and polishing the game to the high standards our fans expect and deserve.”
Marvel’s Avengers latest showings included a Game Overview which showed players the option to customize character’s abilities and costumes.
Its most notable appearance at E3 2019 showed off each hero in a story-driven demo.
The plot follows the team as a botched rescue mission results in Captain America disappearing (and forcing Iron Man, Hulk, Black Widow and Thor into hiding).
New heroes such as Ms. Marvel become swept-up in events that force the Avengers to re-assemble against new and familiar enemies.
Final Fantasy VII: Remake
Developer: Square Enix
Original Release Date: March 3, 2020
New Release Date: April 10, 2020
System: PlayStation 4
Cloud Strife is getting a next-generation makeover that reimagines the renowned 1997 classic for PS4 systems.
Following long-time rumors from fans and communities, Square Enix made a surprise promise with a trailer at PlayStation’s E3 2015 event.
Signature piano trills played over highly-rendered locations that were once shown in polygons. A large buster sword on Strife’s back signified to a screaming audience that Final Fantasy VII was coming back.
Fans were also kept excited at last year’s E3 2019, when Square Enix released a variety of story trailers and a full gameplay demo showing real-time character switching and fluid combat.
Square Enix is close to finishing the first episode of the game (which was still confirmed to be coming in playable pieces).
Earlier this month, project producer Yoshinori Kitase announced Final Fantasy VII Remake’s release date would be bumped up by a month, in order to give the team “a few extra weeks” to add the finishing touches.
Kitase also apologized on behalf of the team while thanking fans for their patience.
Dying Light 2
Developers: Techland, Square Enix
Original Release Date: Spring 2020
New Release Date: TBA
Systems: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Techland’s sequel to the 2015 first-person parkour zombie RPG was announced with only a 2020 release window.
Both a trailer and gameplay were dropped on the same day during E3 2018, showing an expanded open-world reportedly four times bigger than the original.
The game was also shown to include a more human-driven story with a focus on rebuilding societies during the daytime.
Techland CEO Pawel Marchewka shared their delay news on Twitter, who had originally planned for a Spring 2020 due date.
The studio issued an apology while re-affirming developers would take as much time as they needed “to fulfill our vision.”
No specific release date was given for Dying Light 2.
The Last of Us (Part II)
Developers: Naughty Dog, Sony Interactive Entertainment
Original Release Date: February 21, 2020
New Release Date: May 29, 2020
System: PlayStation 4
Naughty Dog’s next story-driven narrative showed itself off with gradual progress.
The anticipated follow-up to The Last of Us was revealed four years ago at PSX 2016, giving fans a glimpse of what’s to come from an older, experienced Ellie.
The Last of Us: Part II continued to be in development for the PlayStation 4 and showed some new gameplay footage at E3 2018.
Fans were more focused on Ellie as she navigated through a lush jungle occupied by ruthless scavengers.
A large release date was plastered at the end of its latest trailer from September 2019, but was later updated for a May release window.
In an October 2019 update from director Neil Druckmann, the correction came after developers “were faced with two options: compromise parts of the game or get more time.”
He continued to express a disappointment of making fans wait, but stated the updated launch day took stress away from Naughty Dog staff while meeting the studio’s “level of satisfaction”.
Reactions from communities for each game were warm, with many encouraging the studios to take their time in releasing a finished game. A variety of comments across each statement’s posts also discussed the growing release windows, which contrasts past concerns of studios rushing projects to meet deadlines.
