2024 Game Delays: 10+ Big Releases Pushed to 2025/2026

Why Trust Techopedia
Disclaimer: This article includes a mix of officially confirmed information and industry speculation based on trends and expert predictions. We continuously update our articles as new information and leaks become available to keep you informed with the latest insights.

Video game delays can be gut-wrenching, especially if you’ve made plans surrounding its initial release date.

While most games tend to stick to the first release date, complications occur that force a studio to delay a game. This year is no different, with many games pushed to 2025 and even 2026.

Here is Techopedia’s comprehensive guide to every game that was initially set to be released in 2024 but was delayed, the reasons why, and when you can expect the games.

Key Takeaways

  • Game delays occur when a game is not built to standard and is deemed unsuitable for launch to the public.
  • Games delayed to 2025 include Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Kingdom Come Deliverance II, and Avowed.
  • Games delayed to 2026 include Human Fall Flat 2 and Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake.
  • Some games, such as Ark 2, have been delayed but do not have a new date.
  • Games can be delayed due to technical issues, a desire for more sales, or internal challenges with the studio.

Big Games Delayed to 2025

Assassin’s Creed: Shadows

Assassin’s Creed: Shadows takes the series to feudal Japan.
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows takes the series to feudal Japan. Source: Ubisoft

Initial Release: November 12, 2024

New Release: February 14, 2025

Assassin’s Creed: Shadows was the long-awaited answer to fans’ pleas for a game set in Japan. However, in light of the lackluster performance of Star Wars: Outlaws, Ubisoft announced the game would be pushed back to 2025.

Avowed

The latest fantasy RPG developed by Obsidian Entertainment.
The latest fantasy RPG developed by Obsidian Entertainment. Source: Xbox Game Studios

Initial Release: November, 2024

New Release: February 18, 2025

While many video game delays in 2024 have been as a result of technical issues, Xbox announced the reason behind the delay of Avowed was to avoid the crowded release window of Q4 2024. There are several major titles coming out in Q1 2025, so only time will tell how Avowed will perform.

Football Manager 25

Football Manager 25 has seen two delays since it was announced.
Football Manager 25 has seen two delays since it was announced. Source: Sports Interactive

Initial Release: November 26, 2024

New Release: March 2025 (Date incoming)

Football Manager 25 is set to be a major shift in the franchise. It will be the first game to be made in the Unity game engine and will also feature women’s football for players to manage. Originally delayed to a February release, the game has been further postponed to March 2025 without a specific date. A gameplay reveal is set to be released in January 2025.

Advertisements

Kingdom Come Deliverance: II

The highly anticipated first-person medieval RPG is delayed to 2025.
The highly anticipated first-person medieval RPG is delayed to 2025. Source: Deep Silver

Initial Release: Q3-Q4 2024

New Release: 11 February, 2025

Gaming delays have been in abundance in 2024, and the sequel to Kingdom Come Deliverance is one of the bigger titles that got impacted. What was initially a vague release time of 2024 has been pushed back to Q1 2025. Players who backed the original Kickstarter will receive the game for free as a goodwill gesture from Warhorse Studios.

Little Nightmares 3

The side-scrolling horror platformer has been delayed to 2025.
The side-scrolling horror platformer has been delayed to 2025. Source: Bandai Namco Entertainment

Initial Release: 2024

New Release: 2025

Little Nightmares III is one of many video game delays to 2025, although a specific release date has yet to be given at this time. Players will be able to tackle this atmospheric adventure in online co-op or tackle its horrors solo with an AI companion. In an X post online, the developers have expressed that they need more time to reach the quality fans expect.

Terminator: Survivors

A multiplayer survival game set in the Terminator universe has been delayed to 2025.
A multiplayer survival game set in the Terminator universe has been delayed to 2025. Source: Nacon

Initial Release: October 24, 2024

New Release: 2025

Terminator: Survivors has been delayed from Q4 2024 to sometime in 2025, but a specific date has yet to be given by Nacon. What we do know is that the game will be available for early access on PC through Steam and then on Xbox Series X/S and PS5 at a later date. So players may be able to get their hands on the game sooner than they think. We’ll keep you posted.

33 Immortals

The 33 Immortals' early access is delayed to 2025.
The 33 Immortals’ early access is delayed to 2025. Source: Thunder Lotus

Initial Release: October 24, 2024

New Release: 2025

Made by the same studio behind Spiritfarer, 33 Immortals is setting up to be one of the biggest roguelikes released in the gaming industry. It is an isometric co-op roguelike where up to 33 players fend off hordes of enemies before facing massive bosses. The gaming delay is new, but its exclusive release on Epic Games Store and Xbox remains the same.

Towerborne

The game is currently in early access, but the full release has been delayed.
The game is currently in early access, but the full release has been delayed. Source: Xbox Game Studios.

Initial Release: 2024

New Release: 2025

Towerborne is currently in early access on PC, which launched on September 10, 2024. The full release for both PC and Xbox Series X/S was delayed from 2024 to some time in 2025. Towerborne’s full release will become free-to-play for both platforms.

The Alters

A sci-fi game featuring survival, base building, and adventure mechanics.
A sci-fi game featuring survival, base building, and adventure mechanics. Source: 11 Bit Studios

Initial Release: Q4 2024

New Release: Q1 2025

11 Bit Studios has made a name for itself in the video game industry, with Frostpunk 2 and Moonlighter becoming critical successes. Players will have to wait until the new year to see if The Alters lives up to its peers. The game will become available on Steam via Steam and Epic Games Store, PS5, and Xbox via Game Pass

Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy

The remake has been delayed for Q2 2025.
The remake has been delayed for Q2 2025. Source: Microids

Initial Release: Q4 2024

New Release: Q2 2025

Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy is a remastered version of the classic adventure game Amerzone, originally released in 1999. It’s a first-person point-and-click adventure that follows the story of a journalist investigating the mystery of the Amerzone while fulfilling the request of a late explorer. The remake has been delayed to Q2 2025, with no specific date given.

Replaced

A unique 2.5D sci-fi action platformer is delayed until 2025.
A unique 2.5D sci-fi action platformer is delayed until 2025. Source: Coatsink, Thunderful

Initial Release: 2024

New Release: 2025

Replaced has a unique graphical style, combining both 3D environments with 2D-pixel sprites. An X post by the developers, Sad Cat Studios, details how a 2024 release was “optimistic” and that 2025 was a much more realistic goal.

This side-scrolling adventure game is one of many video game delays in 2024 and is planned for release on both PC and Xbox gaming platforms.

Big Games Delayed to 2026

Human Fall Flat 2

Human Fall Flat has been delayed to 2026.
Human Fall Flat has been delayed to 2026. Source: Devolver Digital

Initial Release: 2025

New Release: 2026

The sequel to Human: Fall Flat was initially scheduled for release in 2025. However, the announcement of Human: Fall Flat 2’s delay came in June 2023 during Devolver Digital’s Direct event. Now, the title is one of the few video game delays to 2026, allowing developers more time to polish the game. A specific date has yet to be announced.

Unknown Xbox Game

An unannounced Xbox game has been pushed back to 2026.
An unannounced Xbox game has been pushed back to 2026. Source: Xbox

Initial Release: 2025

New Release: 2026

During The Game Awards 2024 event, video game industry insider Jeff Grub on the Giant Bomb livestream mentions how a major unrevealed Xbox title has been delayed. What was once slated for a 2025 release is now expected to come sometime in 2026, though details are scarce at this time.

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake

After facing several delays, Ubisoft reaffirms a 2026 release.
After facing several delays, Ubisoft reaffirms a 2026 release. Source; Ubisoft

Initial Release: Indefinite

New Release: 2026

The highly anticipated remake of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time has seen several delays since it was first unveiled. 2020 saw its first announcement of a delay, followed by an indefinite release date as of February 2021. The release would seem much further away when all development was shifted to Ubisoft Montreal in 2022.

Our first insight into a proper release window was given during the Ubisoft Forward 2024 showcase, suggesting a 2026 launch. This follows after Ubisoft remarked in an X post on how progress was finally being made in the development of the remake.

Games Indefinitely Delayed

Ark 2

Ark 2 has seen several delays, and now a release date is uncertain.
Ark 2 has seen several delays, and now a release date is uncertain. Source: Studio Wildcard

Initial Release: Q4 2024

New Release: Indefinite

Ark 2 has had an interesting journey since it was initially unveiled back in The Game Awards 2020 showcase. It suffered its first game delay back in 2022, announcing the game would be pushed back to 2023. It then faced another delay into 2024. With the year rapidly coming to a close, it is very likely that will not be the case. The game’s release date is currently listed as ‘to be announced’ on the Steam page.

Tom Clancy’s: Rainbow Six Mobile

The mobile version of the tactical FPS is currently in soft-launch.
The mobile version of the tactical FPS is currently in soft-launch. Source: Ubisoft

Initial Release: Q4 2024

New Release: Indefinite

Rainbow Six Mobile was initially set to be fully released in 2022. However, the game was delayed, and Ubisoft pushed the release date further into 2023 for a global launch.

In August 2023, the game was soft-launched in selected regions for testing and refinement, specifically in Canada and Mexico. The official global release was then further delayed in 2024 before finally postponing the game to 2025.

However, during Ubisoft’s Q1 sales reports, they announced that they no longer expect the mobile FPS to be released within the 2025 fiscal year. We’ll update you with developments as they happen.

The Bottom Line

There are undoubtedly many more titles that have suffered video game delays, from indies to AA experiences. The games outlined are the most noteworthy and cater to a variety of genres and platforms.

We emphasize that all the dates outlined are subject to change, with some titles in the video game industry likely to face yet another delay. Rumors and leaks are constantly prowling online, but we recommend waiting for official information before drawing conclusions to avoid disappointment.

FAQs

Why are games getting delayed?

What video game has been delayed the most?

What causes a game to be delayed?

Advertisements

Related Reading

Related Terms

Advertisements
Joey Morris
Gaming Writer
Joey Morris
Gaming Writer

Joey Morris is a Gaming Writer for Techopedia. He has spent several years writing on his own blog site and for other creative publications. He has written reviews, features, and even a digital magazine. He has also produced podcasts, video essays, and held interviews with various experts in the gaming industry. He enjoys playing video games as both a profession and passion.