Multiple major video game studios announced this week that some of 2024’s most anticipated titles will be delayed until 2025, disappointing many gamers.
Key Games Pushed Back
Several key games that were slated to launch this year will now arrive at least a year later than expected, based on statements from the developers:
| Game | Original 2024 Release Window | New Release Window |
|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo) | Early 2024 | Spring 2025 |
| Starfield (Bethesda) | First half of 2024 | First half of 2025 |
| Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (Rocksteady Studios) | Spring 2024 | Spring 2025 |
These three games alone account for some of the gaming community’s highest hopes for 2024. All three have been in development for years already.
While delays are common in the industry as studios work to polish games before release, multiple high-profile delays happening so close together and pushing games back by a full year is unusual.
Explanations from Studios
In their respective announcements regarding the delays, the various studios cited needing more development time to deliver the experience they want to provide to players.
A spokesperson for Nintendo said the following regarding the Zelda delay:
“We have decided to extend our development time a bit to make sure the game world, gameplay, and experience meet the high expectations of both ourselves and fans. We appreciate your patience – the wait will be worth it.”
Similarly, Bethesda Game Studios head Todd Howard explained that Starfield’s delay would allow them to fully achieve their vision:
“Pushing Starfield out of 2024 was a hard call, but we need this extra time to build the fun, adventure, and depth our fans deserve. We promise the wait will be rewarded with the definitive space epic.”
Rocksteady’s statement regarding Suicide Squad echoed the same sentiment. It seems adding more depth, polish and complexity to these already ambitious games is requiring more work than the studios initially estimated.
Response from Gaming Community
As expected, the response from gamers has been mostly negative, with many voicing disappointment and skepticism about the lengthy delays:
“Delaying these massive games by a FULL YEAR when they were almost done? I’m not buying it. Feels like they just decided they could get away with pushing it back to make more $.”
“Ugh, I took time off work back when Zelda was supposed to launch. Now what am I supposed to do with that free week in spring, stare at walls?”
At the same time, some fans expressed understanding, and a willingness to wait if it means the studios deliver something truly special:
“I get the frustration but also respect the move to take more time. These are GOAT-tier studios – we know they’ll make the additional months worth it.”
What Games Still Coming in 2024
While the delays are disappointing, there are still major games slated to release this year that fans can look forward to:
- Final Fantasy XVI – The next mainline single-player Final Fantasy game arrives in June, with an epic story penned by Game of Thrones writer George RR Martin
- Assassin’s Creed Codename Red – Heading to feudal Japan, this leap back for the AC franchise aims to reinvigorate the stale series
- Street Fighter 6 – Capcom’s premier fighting game returns to push the genre forward and introduce new innovations
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – Developed by Sony’s Insomniac Studios, this sequel should build brilliantly on 2018’s game of the year winner
- Resident Evil 4 Remake – Bringing the classic horror title into stunning modern graphics, this will set the bar for remakes
- Sid Meier’s Civilization VII – The iconic strategy franchise unveils its first new iteration in 8 years, taking the complexity even deeper
- Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – While a more niche title, it’s a fan favorite, and the sequel promises to expand the epic sci-fi universe
And those are just a few of the most notable ones – there are plenty more arriving across all platforms. So 2024 should still deliver for gamers, even with the delays.
What This Means for the Industry
On one hand, these delays continue an ongoing trend of high-profile games slipping from their expected release timeframes, as ambition outweighs estimations. Ever-expanding scale and complexity has led to troubled developments becoming more common.
However, the delays this week also demonstrate that studios feel confident pushing back even highly anticipated titles by full years. This suggests a longer view – understanding that a rushed release damages a property long-term, while a polished one pays off over more years.
As gaming has grown into a $200+ billion industry, the big players are taking a more patient, calculated approach to protect their investments. Even if gamers complain in the short-term, many ultimately reward quality and vision.
So while 2024’s lineup took a hit, the delays could signal studios investing more than ever in execution and maximizing fan satisfaction. The wait may frustrate, but the payoff down the road aims to thrill.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
