Indie game developer Spiders has officially announced that GreedFall 2: The Dying World, the sequel to its beloved BioWare-inspired RPG, will enter early access this summer. The game will remain in early access until Spiders can shape it into a player-desired experience. While the exact early access start date is yet to be revealed, a gameplay preview before the launch will unveil the official release date. Setting the early access release date for GreedFall 2 is a critical decision that could significantly influence the game's success.
One key factor that can determine a game's long-term success is how much attention it garners upon release. Developers must strategically choose their launch windows to avoid being overshadowed by other game releases. Guerrilla Games' Horizon series serves as a cautionary tale of games with unfortunate release timing. Similarly, GreedFall faced a similar challenge in 2019. To prevent history from repeating, Spiders must carefully plan the release of GreedFall 2: The Dying World.
Strategic Release Date for GreedFall 2
Avoiding the Horizon Effect
Despite their success, Guerrilla Games' Horizon series has a history of launching amidst tough competition, impacting the games' visibility and reception. For instance, the first title, Horizon Zero Dawn, debuted on February 28, 2017, competing with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild released on March 3, 2017 alongside the Nintendo Switch launch. This overshadowed Horizon Zero Dawn and quickly shifted the spotlight to the new Nintendo release.
The sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, faced a similar fate in 2022, launching just a week before FromSoftware's Elden Ring. Both Breath of the Wild and Elden Ring won Game of the Year, underscoring the importance of strategic release planning. GreedFall 2 must consider these past scenarios to ensure a successful launch without repeating GreedFall's misstep.
Avoiding Past Mistakes
While the Horizon series highlights the impact of release dates, GreedFall also faced challenges in this area. The game launched on September 10, 2019, only to contend with the highly anticipated release of Borderlands 3 a mere three days later. This limited timeframe for recognition put GreedFall at a disadvantage.
With GreedFall 2 set for a summer early access release without a specific date, Spiders must be wary of other summer releases like Destiny 2: The Final Shape and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree in June. To avoid clash, a June release should be avoided at all costs, with July and August offering a less competitive window for GreedFall 2 to shine.