Technically you can’t have a delay if you didn’t have a firm release date in the first place. Psychonauts 2 had a tentative release date during its Fig crowdfunding campaign of 2018. In a recent backer update, Double Fine has confirmed that Psychonauts 2 won’t be coming in 2018.
Here’s the full statement:
“Now we are in full swing, we know a lot more about the size and scope of the game we are going to make, how long it will take us to make it, and the amount of time we need to make it be great. From those projections we know that Psychonauts 2 will not be shipping in 2018, like we originally estimated when we published the Fig campaign two years ago.
“We love the game we’re making and we want to make sure that Psychonauts 2 is something you’ll love too — a game that carries on the legacy of Psychonauts in a meaningful and special way. We’re making great progress, but we want to make sure the game has the time it needs to shine.
“We’re sorry that you’ll have to wait a little longer than we first estimated, but we’re also hopeful that you’ll understand it will mean being able to deliver a better game. We’re really excited about the things we’re making, and we can’t wait to share them with you!”
Psychonauts 2 was crowdfunded via Fig in late 2015/early 2016, raising nearly $4 million. Fig works similarly to Kickstarter but focuses solely on video games and includes investment opportunities. Fig was created in 2015 by veteran gaming crowdfunding developers including Tim Schafer and Brian Fargo.
Psychonauts 2 will be the long-awaited sequel to the cult-classic 3D platformer Psychonauts, which released in 2005 on Xbox, PlayStation 2, and PC. The game starred Raz, a young psychic warrior-in-training at a summer camp, whose skills are quickly put to the test. It’s beloved for its zany characters and trippy level design, which involved journeying into various characters’ psyche and uncovering their fears.
Earlier this year Double Fine released Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin, a PlayStation VR title that bridges the story between Psychonauts 1 and 2.
Double Fine previously tapped the crowdfunding well with Broken Age (and again with Massive Chalice), which is attributed to starting the whole crowdfunded/Kickstarter craze for video games back in 2012. The mania has since quieted a bit, though many companies such as InXile and Larian Studios continue to find great success using crowdfunding.
Psychonauts 2 will most likely arrive in 2019 for PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.
