The launch of Silksong, the sequel to the acclaimed Hollow Knight, has put other developers in a bind as they seek to avoid direct competition on release dates. In this context, the game Demonschool has decided to delay its release to November 19, a measure that highlights the pressure that release dates impose on the video game industry.
Move to not die
Brian Kwek, director of Ysbryd Games, the publisher of Demonschool, explained that the decision was made after careful analysis of the potential repercussions that a simultaneous release could have on its visibility and success. Although Silksong is a 2D platformer, its immense popularity may overshadow other lesser-known titles, reducing the opportunities for Demonschool to attract the attention of players and streamers.
Kwek emphasized the anxiety that the delay has generated among developers and the potential negative reactions from players who were expecting the initial release. The reorganization of marketing strategies and communication with platforms like PlayStation and Xbox are just some of the challenges they must face. Additionally, they are pushing the calculation of a delay not only as a strategy to capitalize on the interest in Silksong but also to avoid the risks associated with coinciding with major releases like Final Fantasy Tactics or the Steam Next Fest event.
Delays are costly, as they force developers to continue paying their team without generating immediate revenue. However, Kwek emphasizes that the delay can also result in a more favorable launch window, taking advantage of the attention generated by other major titles. This could allow Demonschool to capture players’ interest at a time when there is a greater call on the Steam platform, which could be crucial for its commercial success.
