After 9 Years in Development Hell, Dead Island 2 Offers Hope for KOTOR Remake
After almost a decade in development, Dead Island 2 is finally set to release in just a few weeks' time. The long-awaited sequel's impending release has sparked new hope for other video game projects stuck in development hell, like the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) Remake. This article will delve into the history of Dead Island 2's development, explore the parallels between the two games, and offer insights into what the future may hold for the KOTOR Remake.
Delays are common in the video game industry, but Dead Island 2's development history is particularly tumultuous. Originally announced with an infamous boardwalk trailer back in 2014, the game was initially slated for release in Q2 2015. However, after some alleged creative differences, developer Yager was dropped by publisher Deep Silver in July 2015, and the project swapped hands, landing in the lap of an unnamed studio. It wasn't until March 2016 that Sumo Digital was announced as the new developer, and the game continued to suffer from delays and setbacks over the next few years.
In August 2019, Dead Island 2 was passed around yet again, this time landing with Dambuster Studios, the team behind this current iteration of the long-awaited sequel. In 2022, fans finally got their first look at this version of Dead Island 2. while it hasn't exactly been smooth sailing.it looks as though it'll be ready for its April 21, 2023, release date.
KOTOR Remake announced at E3 2014, suffered a similar fate to Dead Island 2. After reportedly being in development for around three years, developer Aspyr announced the game in September 2021 with a targeted 2022 release date. However, in July 2022, a report by Bloomberg stated that the game had been delayed indefinitely following several of Aspyr's lead members being fired from the project and an apparently disappointing vertical slice demo.
With Saber Interactive now possibly at the helm, it seems like the KOTOR Remake is in slightly safer hands. Still, no more official statements on the game's development have been made, leading many fans to speculate that they might not see the game for years, if at all. However, the impending release of Dead Island 2 provides a glimmer of hope that even the most troubled games can still make it out of development hell.
The development histories of Dead Island 2 and the KOTOR Remake share several similarities. Both games were initially announced in 2014, both suffered from significant delays, and both changed hands multiple times throughout development. Additionally, both games had high levels of anticipation and expectations from fans, making their prolonged development all the more frustrating.
There are also differences between the two games. Dead Island 2 was delayed multiple times but never officially canceled, while the KOTOR Remake has been delayed indefinitely. Dead Island 2 also switched developers several times, while the KOTOR Remake's development has been plagued by reported leadership changes.
While the KOTOR Remake's future remains uncertain, the impending release of Dead Island 2 offers a glimmer of hope that it could still see the light of day. The video game industry is no stranger to delays, setbacks, and changes in leadership, and Dead Island 2's success could be a sign that even the most troubled games can eventually make it to