Every Game Delay Announced in 2021 (So Far)

Time Stamp: April 14, 2021 2:33 PM
Source Node: 808717

Game delays became more prevalent in 2020 due to the spread of COVID-19, as studios adjusted to the logistical challenges and limitations of working from home. And with the pandemic still affecting how studios operate for the foreseeable future, that trend will likely continue throughout 2021.To track the pandemic’s continued impact on game development, we’ve compiled a list of every game and notable DLC delay announced this year (so far). This article will be updated as more release dates and windows are inevitably pushed, but for now, these are all 21 delays announced in 2021.

Every Game Delay Announced in 2021

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum

  • Delayed from Late 2021 to 2022

Originally set to be released later this year, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum will now arrive at some point in 2022. Publisher Nacon announced the new date for the stealth-focused Middle-earth adventure in late January, though it didn’t provide a reason for the delay.

Returnal

  • Delayed from March 19 to April 30, 2021

Returnal was pushed from mid-March to late April “to give the team extra time to continue to polish the game to the level of quality players expect from Housemarque.” The roguelike third-person shooter will be released exclusively on PS5.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake

  • Delayed from March 18 to “a later date.”

The first game delay announced in February, and the ninth overall for the year, was Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake. According to Ubisoft, the extra development time will allow the team “to deliver a remake that feels fresh while remaining faithful to the original.” A new release date wasn’t announced.

This is the remake’s second delay; it was previously pushed from January to March.

New World

  • Delayed from Spring to August 31, 2021

In mid-February, Amazon announced it was delaying its upcoming MMO, New World, from spring to August 31. The development team will use the additional months to continue its work on “compelling end-game features,” in addition to “polishing and fine tuning the whole game.”

This is New World’s second delay; it was previously pushed from August 25, 2020, to Spring 2021.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2

  • Delayed from 2021 to an unannounced later date

Paradox Interactive delayed Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 out of its 2021 release window without announcing a new target date. Alongside the delay, the publisher announced Hardsuit Labs will no longer be leading development on the project. “A change” was needed, according to Paradox, “and, as a result, more development time is required.”

Originally slated for Q1 2020, Bloodlines 2’s troubled development has included multiple delays and departures of key talent, including the game’s former creative director and senior narrative designer.

Gran Turismo 7

  • Delayed from 2021 to 2022

GT7 was delayed from 2021 to 2022 due to “Covid-related production challenges,” according to Sony. “With the ongoing pandemic, it’s a dynamic and changing situation and some critical aspects of game production have been slowed over the past several months,” the company added.

Gran Turismo 7 PlayStation 5 Screenshots

New Need for Speed

  • Delayed from EA’s fiscal year 2022 to fiscal year 2023*

EA delayed the next, currently untitled Need for Speed from FY2022 to FY2023 as developer Criterion Games temporarily moves off the upcoming racer to assist DICE on the next Battlefield — a decision made to combat the effects of pandemic-related working conditions and ensure EA’s flagship shooter hits its target Holiday 2021 release window.

*EA’s fiscal year runs from April through the following March, meaning the next Need for Speed is now expected between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023.

Guilty Gear Strive

  • Delayed from April 9 to June 11, 2021

Guilty Gear Strive was delayed by two months after developer Arc System Works received “valuable feedback” from the recent open beta. The additional time will be used “to polish some aspects of the game, such as the online lobbies and the server’s stability,” according to the developer.

The fighting game was previously delayed out of 2020 due to COVID-19-related development challenges.

Borderlands 3 Director’s Cut Add-on

  • Delayed from March 18 to April 8, 2021

The Borderlands 3 Director’s Cut add-on was delayed by three weeks due to the “severe weather that impacted Texas last month,” according to developer Gearbox. The Director’s Cut content includes a new raid boss, story missions, and challenges.

Gotham Knights

  • Delayed from 2021 to 2022

WB Games delayed Gotham Knights into 2022 to give the development team “more time to deliver the best possible experience for players.” Announced in 2020 at DC Fandome, the co-op Batman game was initially given a 2021 release window.

Humankind

  • Delayed from April 22 to August 17, 2021

SEGA and developer Amplitude have announced the delay of 4X strategy game Humankind to a little later in 2021 in order to give the developers time to finetune the pacing, balance, diplomacy, AI, and accessibility of the experience.

Back 4 Blood

  • Delayed from June 21 to October 12, 2021

The Left 4 Dead spiritual successor Back 4 Blood has been pushed into October to allow the devs at Turtle Rock Studios time to deliver “the best game it can possibly be at launch.” There will be an open beta this summer, though.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

  • Delayed from Spring 2021 to an unannounced later date

The upcoming LEGO Star Wars game will no longer hit its targeted Spring 2021 release window, as TT Games needs more time to complete what it’s calling “the biggest and best-ever LEGO game.” A new release window wasn’t announced; TT Games will “provide updated launch timing as soon as possible.”

The Skywalker Saga was previously delayed from 2020 to Spring 2021.

  • Delayed from May 21 to September 14, 2021

Bethesda’s stylish, time-looping assassination game was recently delayed by four months. “We’re committed to quality and preserving our team’s ambitions for Deathloop while ensuring the health and safety of everyone at Arkane,” read a statement from developer Arkane Studios. “We’ll be using this extra time to accomplish our goal: create a fun, stylish, and mind-bending player experience.”

This is Deathloop’s second delay; it was previously pushed from its initial Holiday 2020 release window.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Wrath of the Druids

  • Delayed from April 29 to May 13, 2021

Wrath of the Druids, the first major expansion for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, was delayed by two weeks. The additional time will allow the development team to “deliver a more refined experience,” according to Ubisoft.

Which of these are you most disappointed by? Which games of 2021 are you hoping don’t get delayed next? Let us know in the comments.

Jordan is a freelance writer for IGN.

Source: https://www.ign.com/articles/every-game-delay-announced-in-2021-so-far

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