Arkane Studios’ first game post-Microsoft acquisition just can’t seem to catch a break. After being delayed to next year (alongside Starfield), Microsoft is reportedly preparing to delay the game by at least one quarter.
Update on Redfall's release date.
Have heard that it's been pushed back internally by about 6 weeks. Currently targeting an early May release.
Unfortunate news but I'm sure it's for the best. https://t.co/JuytC5KxWw pic.twitter.com/PIsBaH24y3
— KAMI (@Okami13_) December 23, 2022
Industry insider Okami claims that the Bethesda Softworks subsidiary has pushed the launch date of Redfall back “by about 6 weeks”. Okami claims that Redfall will be released in May, not March. Unfortunately, the source didn’t clarify why it’s pushing the launch of Redfall by over a month. Instead, all they had to say was that “it’s for the best.”
On one hand, delays are normal these days. It’s partly because of the COVID-19 pandemic and also because of Cyberpunk 2077. Audiences are more receptive to delays if it means it gives the developers more time to make sure the game comes out as the very best possible version. On the other hand, this doesn’t mean we can’t speculate about the reason for the delay. Starfield and Redfall were largely considered as the two big Xbox exclusives of the year. Microsoft might be thinking of staggering their release, pushing Redfall back deeper into next year while Starfield gets all the spotlight for the first few months.
This worked well for Sony earlier this year as both Horizon Forbidden West and God of War: Ragnarok sold quite well (and even got nominated at The Game Awards for GOTY) despite coming out in the same year.
Ultimately, this report shouldn’t feel upsetting for fans who never really knew when Redfall could come out. A May release window “might” help narrow things done but until we get official word, it’s best to consider everything you just read as pure guesswork.
Regardless of when Redfall might come out, its presence is desperately needed on the Xbox platform. The tech giant is aware that it’s lost to Sony when it comes to exclusive titles, but it’s not for the lack of effort. Microsoft reportedly had a massive slate planned for next year before everything changed for some reason. We’re hoping Microsoft can pick up where it left off because the Game Pass can’t survive on third-party releases alone.
