The wait for Digimon Survive has been a long one for fans of the massively popular virtual monster franchise. Since the newest Digimon game's announcement back in 2018, it has been subject to multiple delays, with the game changing hands multiple times. The most recent shift happened in February, with development transitioning to Rune Factory 5 and Code Realize developer Hyde. Now, a new announcement reveals Digimon fans won't have to wait much longer for the highly-anticipated game.
Since its initial 2018 reveal, Digimon Survive has seemingly been stuck in development hell with numerous delays pushing the game's release well into the future. Survive's early delays pushed the game beyond its expected 2019 release, well into 2020, and development and staffing issues connected to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic have caused similar setbacks. However, recent rumors have suggested the game's arrival date may not be far off and an update Wednesday from producer Kazumasa Habu has revealed the game's official release date for this summer.
A short 45-second update video posted to Bandai Namco's official YouTube channel featured Habu officially announcing Survive's fixed release date with the official date set for July 29th. Digimon Survive's July release date will place the game's official launch nearly exactly four years after the newest Digimon title was announced in the July 2018 issue of Japanese manga and gaming publication V Jump. Habu concluded the video by confirming more updates and news related to the Digimon game would be revealed in the coming months leading up to its launch.
While the announcement of an official, solid release date for Survive has been a long time coming for fans, rumors of the game's pending launch window have been circulating for months within the gaming community. The game officially received a T for Teen rating from the ESRB in December, typically coinciding with the lead-up to a game's full release, and an early leak from a Japanese gaming magazine hinted at the announced July 29th release date.
While Survive's progress has been marred by delays and changing hands throughout its development, the Digimon franchise as a whole has maintained a constant presence through its many holdups. The currently airing Digimon Ghost Game anime returned to TV last weekend following a month-long hiatus and Kazumasa Habu previously expressed interest in developing either a remake or remaster of the iconic original Digimon World from the PlayStation. After years of waiting for the Digimon fanbase, the massively anticipated Survive finally seems to be on the horizon for the franchise's passionate fans.
Digimon Survive will release on July 29th for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.