Xbox Game Pass currently has quite a few games lined up for the next few weeks, but one game stands out because it has yet to confirm a specific release date: Way to the Woods. Xbox Game Pass' March 2023 list includes Valheim, Civilization 6, Ni no Kuni 2, MLB The Show 23, Infinite Guitars, and Way to the Woods, and the last one stands out because every other game is dated, despite Way to the Woods' Xbox Game Pass release being "pinky promised" ahead of some of these confirmations.
However, it is worth noting that, unlike some of those big AAA games, Way to the Woods is developed by one person. Game development is certainly tricky, but solo game development is even trickier, as it forces one person to wear many hats. In this game, a deer and a fawn must travel through an abandoned world to get home, solving environmental puzzles with the gifted power of light. It promises a handcrafted world, a linear short experience, a soundtrack made by composers of Steven Universe, and more.
Way to the Woods Pinky Swears an Xbox Game Pass March 2023 Release
For a bit of history, Way to the Woods was first announced in January 2016. It was then confirmed for a 2020 release at E3 2019, but obviously, plans fell through. Then, three months ago, Way to the Woods received a release window trailer that confirmed it would drop in March 2023 as an Xbox Game Pass day one title. There hasn't been anything said since then, though of course it has been included on Xbox Game Pass' list for quite some time. Now, with March roughly halfway over, there still has been no mention of a specific release date. This is unusual, to say the least.
Of course, a solo developer has certainly earned more leeway than some bigger titles, but it still leaves the game's fate in limbo. As of right now, there are about three possible occurrences. The first is that Xbox Game Pass just shadow-drops Way to the Woods one day, which isn't necessarily unheard of here recently. It worked for Hi-Fi Rush on Xbox Game Pass, but there's no guarantee it would work here. The most likely scenario is that it gets a release date announcement soon for later this month, packing into a busy end-of-month release line-up. The third option is that, despite the developer pinky swearing it would release in March 2023, another delay is announced.
If it is delayed, many fans will likely be upset, but it happens. What doesn't usually happen though is a delay being announced in a game's current release window, and that may cause some fans to sour even more. Something is happening behind the scenes, for sure, but it's impossible to know what. Whatever happens for this Xbox Game Pass title, hopefully it happens soon.
Xbox Game Pass users get a handful of games every month.