Distant Worlds 2 - Release Date Revealed

[NotTooBad]

The release date of Distant Worlds 2 has been announced.



The next chapter in the critically acclaimed 4X space strategy game is almost ready.

Players will experience the full depth and detail of this real-time strategy game starting from March 10th, 2022, on PC.

Distant Worlds 2 is available to wishlist, more information about the title can be found on the product page.

[Galaxy227]

Update the release date on Steam! [:D]

[Webbco]

Opinion alert: With all due respect to the devs, I think a lot of work needs to be done with the marketing team. The above news is a few days old, there's mistakes in the announcement, there's no new dev diaries as promised, people are losing interest and getting frustrated on the Steam forum and, like with its predecessor, DW2 is running the real risk of becoming yet another relatively unknown diamond in the rough (assuming its just as good/better than DW1).

I don't believe that this would be an accurate reflection on the hard work of Erik, Elliot and Co.

[Bleek]

Steam forums can be the wild west, but they certainly shouldn't be ignored (captive audience).

[Webbco]

ORIGINAL: Bleek

Steam forums can be the wild west, but they certainly shouldn't be ignored (captive audience).

Voicing frustrations on the Steam forums vs near total silence on the Matrix ones, I'm not sure what's better.

[beyondwudge]

Wishlisted it.

[Cauldyth]

Yeah... I have to say, that release date announcement went virtually unnoticed. It was 2 days ago, but I never saw it mentioned on gaming news sites, the official product page still has no release date, nor does the Steam page.

[bbenham]

I was really hoping to see it by Christmas. Seems like a huge target date, marketing opportunity, and bankroll lost.

It's been so long since DW1 that I've essentially forgotten most of it and have lost a lot of interest in DW2. I hope that the release is so incredibly stellar that it pulls me back, but you know how remakes can be. I felt the same about Master of Orion 3 until I got it. All those 'improvements' really destroyed the feeling of the previous game. Too much focus on the graphics engine and not enough focus on depth of play. Very much hoping the DW3 release has stayed true to the aspects that made DW2 fun.

Cheers.

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: bbenham
Very much hoping the DW3 release has stayed true to the aspects that made DW2 fun.

Well, when we get to DW3, I hope so too! [;)]

[Clux]

I would like to know if that release date its for the Matrix/Slitherine version or the "global version" (meaning than the game cames out at the same date in Steam, GoG and Matrix)

Edit: Nvm, I've just seen than they updated the date on the steam page

[Bleek]

ORIGINAL: bbenham
I was really hoping to see it by Christmas. Seems like a huge target date, marketing opportunity, and bankroll lost.

The bankroll would indeed be lost... if the game were shipped prematurely.

Exercise a little patience. Enjoy Christmas.

March will be here in the blink of an eye.

[bbenham]

ORIGINAL: Bleek
The bankroll would indeed be lost... if the game were shipped prematurely.
Exercise a little patience. Enjoy Christmas.
March will be here in the blink of an eye.

hehe. Yes, I meant DW2 and not the mythical DW3.

Clux, that sounds like an engineer's opinion No release is flawless; not even the delayed ones. Optimizing a release date is every bit as impactful to the overall game's success, if not FAR more. People seldom have more disposable cash and time than at Christmas, and if a game design is a quality one, it will survive a few startup bugs.

Given the very old ancient announcement date for DW2, I'd say we all have been patient. You do not need to defend Matrix or the developers working on DW2 anymore than I needed to tell them what they already knew. Here's hoping that they made the right decision, because I certainly want to see this really take off and do well.
Cheers.

[Bleek]

Are you speaking from experience?

I am no developer. I'm a founder, in that I have both invested in a development company and own a small software company.

Neither are gaming, but even so I understand the logistics of this business. And I'm highly aware of the risks and rewards when balancing user expectations, particularly around roadmaps and release schedules.

Nothing is ever perfect is very different to, it simply isn't ready yet!

*And of course I'm also a nerd looking forward to the release of DW2.

[SirHoraceHarkness]

The best advertisement for this game is word of mouth to be honest. You need to seek out the core audience first so if you like the game then when it starts to have full gameplay videos you can post them to your social media or online forums and spread the word. Then there are the typical bevy of reviewers that can get the word out. No doubt it will be a headline release on steam or at least a featured item so there is huge chunk of audience there too. If done right they don't need a huge expensive marketing campaign. Just a good solid game people want to play. Whats that old movie line? Build it and they will come?

[Webbco]

ORIGINAL: SirHoraceHarkness

The best advertisement for this game is word of mouth to be honest. You need to seek out the core audience first so if you like the game then when it starts to have full gameplay videos you can post them to your social media or online forums and spread the word. Then there are the typical bevy of reviewers that can get the word out. No doubt it will be a headline release on steam or at least a featured item so there is huge chunk of audience there too. If done right they don't need a huge expensive marketing campaign. Just a good solid game people want to play. Whats that old movie line? Build it and they will come?

I fundamentally disagree with this. DW1 was of sufficient quality and scope that it got an award from RPS among other mainstream gaming news sites. I'm all for indie developers but that shouldn't mean an excellent game is hampered by incompetent marketing. There's a difference between smaller-scale marketing and insufficient marketing.

[SirHoraceHarkness]

I agree that some traditional marketing is in order but word of mouth and popular streamers showcasing your product is a sure way to reach your target audience. Also the game isn't even finished yet and has at least four more months before release. Why waste precious money putting out marketing now when it could be better used right before it launches so you get peak interest at a time they can buy it? This isn't EA that can spend millions on hyping their games after all. I would seriously doubt they have more than a few thousands or maybe tens of thousands of dollars reserved for ads and such.

[muncuss]

well, i think some of us just need another new dev diary. that is of course don't need millions $ ad budget

[Ranbir]

Nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Erik, if you wanna maybe offer me a price so I can get a headstart hit me up.

[zgrssd]

ORIGINAL: muncuss

well, i think some of us just need another new dev diary. that is of course don't need millions $ ad budget

During a recent start I asked when the NDA's for the Beta will be lifted, allowing Streamers to showcase it.
The only reply was "we are working on it". So hopefully it happens soon-ish. But it might not happen this year [:D]

[washtana]

ORIGINAL: zgrssd

ORIGINAL: muncuss

well, i think some of us just need another new dev diary. that is of course don't need millions $ ad budget

During a recent start I asked when the NDA's for the Beta will be lifted, allowing Streamers to showcase it.
The only reply was "we are working on it". So hopefully it happens soon-ish. But it might not happen this year [:D]

I hope they do this at least a month or two prior to the game being released. I remember watching Das Tactic while he was beta testing Shadow Empires which I knew nothing about prior to coming across his channel. Once the game was released he had several short tutorial videos which was so helpful to a lot of people.

I want to see this game successful and getting into the hands of talented people like Das is a great way to communicate and educate new players that are interested in this type of game.