The Coronavirus pandemic has shaken the world's economy, and the gaming industry is no exception. The pandemic has forced people to stay at home, creating a huge surge in online gaming, temporarily boosting the revenues of many companies.
Video game sales also increased during the global lockdown, but for the publishing side of the gaming industry, the situation isn't so bright. Many developers delayed their games. Social distancing took its toll and working remotely has its disadvantages, especially when it is forced and without preparation. Here are ten games that were delayed by the COVID chaos.
10 The Last Of Us Part II
The first game on this list was delayed, but not anymore. It was recently published to critical acclaim. The Last of Us Part II is a third-person game containing elements of action, adventure, and horror survival.
It follows a 19-year-old Ellie in a post-apocalyptic world where most of the people are infected with a Cordyceps virus, turning them into aggressive creatures known as the Infected. The development began back in 2014 after the first game was published. The long development helped polish it to near perfection.
9 Wasteland 3
Like The Last Of Us Part II, this is also a post-apocalyptic game, but all similarities end there. Wasteland 3 is a role-playing video game played from an isometric perspective that features turn-based combat.
Studio head Brian Fargo announced that the game will be delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He announced on his Twitter profile, August 28 of 2020 as the new release date while commenting: "We have been excited to see Wasteland 3 beta so well-received, but the reality is that with these new logistical challenges our release is going to be impacted".
8 Dying Light 2
Another zombie game on the list. Developed by Polish studio Techland, the Dying Light 2 story starts 15 years after the first game and follows the new protagonist, Aiden Caldwell. That is, once it gets published. From Techland's CEO Pawel Marchewka words, that won't be this spring, which was the original planned publishing date. On the company's twitter profile he commented: "We were initially aiming for a spring 2020 release with Dying Light 2, but unfortunately we need more developing time to fulfill our vision.
7 Ghost Of Tsushima
The PlayStation 4 exclusive samurai-centered game with an open world was first announced for the release on June 26, but thanks to COVID-19 the date has been changed to 17th July. It will be released in four editions: standard, digital deluxe, special, and collector's edition. The plot will follow one of the last samurai, named Jin Sakai, during the Mongol invasion of Japan in 1274. On Tsushima Island, he must train to learn a new fighting technique, the way of the Ghost.
6 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2
The original game was published in 2004 to good critical reception but poor sales, which caused the Troika Games, its publisher, to shut down. Today the game is considered a cult classic and after 16 years it deserves a sequel. But like many other games on the list, it will have to wait. COVID-19 postponed the release of the sequel. Once it gets published the player will start an adventure in Seattle during Christmas in a world populated by vampires, werewolves, demons, and other creatures.
5 Kerbal Space Program 2
The first Kerbal Space Program was released in 2011 and was followed by two expansions. The title of the game Kerbal Space Program refers to Kerbals, small green humanoids, who constructed the Kerbal Space Port. Players can construct powerful spacecraft and design resource gathering colonies. COVID-19 was just one of the reasons for delaying this game and it is now set to be released in the fall of 2021. This space flight simulation game will be released on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
4 Star Wars Episode I: Racer
This is an HD release with multiplayer functionality of the original game that was published by LucasArts in 1999. Several days ago, after it was delayed from its original date in May, it became available on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. The game is based on a race that was held on Tatooine in the first Star Wars prequel The Phantom Menace. It is a racing game that features three single-player modes where a player can race with its podracer against the top racers featured in the film.
3 Someday You'll Return
Developed by small Czech Republic indie studio CBE Software, Someday You'll Return was released on 5th May this year, after being delayed because of the COVID-19. This is a psychological horror played from the first-person perspective developed using Unreal Engine 4. This type of game is not for everyone. Fans of this dark genre will play as Daniel, a man searching for his daughter Stela in the Moravian forest. It is available on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
2 The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope
This game is a sequel to last year's Man Of Medan, developed by Supermassive Games. It is the second of eight planned installments.
Unlike part 1, where the game was set on a ghost ship, this installment will be set in a ghost town. Like the first game, it also features multiple endings and different scenarios. Though its April 14 release date was announced by Bandai Namco Entertainment, its release is now scheduled at the end of 2020.
1 Fast & Furious Crossroads
Based on the Fast & Furious film franchise, the game had an original publishing date in May, along with the new Fast & Furious movie. Because of COVID-19, the movie will not play in theaters on the planned date, and the game will not be released either. The new release date is August 7, 2020, and will have a new story that will feature the voices and images of the main actors from the movie: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, and Tyrese Gibson, among others. The game will also feature a multiplayer mode.