Delay announced just before launch
In a move that surprised many players, Redemption Road Games revealed on Steam that Kingmakers will not meet its planned early access release date of October 8. The studio announced the launch is postponed for an indefinite period, explaining that the game is not yet ready to ship. While such moves can disappoint a fanbase eager for a taste of the action, the team stressed that this delay is about quality, not about removing content to hit a deadline.
“After careful consideration we’ve realized the October 8 launch is no longer possible,” the studio stated. “We’re sorry for those who have waited eagerly for the game.” The message emphasizes that no shortcuts will be taken; the team intends to keep every feature and piece of content, focusing instead on finishing the fine-tuning, balancing, and performance improvements that make a title feel complete.
What Kingmakers is all about
Kingmakers has drawn attention for its audacious premise: players travel back in time to a medieval setting but arrive equipped with modern firepower and even vehicles, to confront knights in armor and swords. The concept blends anachronistic gadgets with traditional melee combat, offering a fast-paced, high-contrast experience that promises both strategic depth and chaotic spectacle. This unusual mash-up has raised expectations about how history and fantasy can collide in a single campaign against time-hardened adversaries.
Quality first, not speed
Redemption Road Games makes a point of not scrapping features or content to meet a date. The team notes that every planned element—world design, weapon balance, vehicle handling, level progression, and co-op dynamics—will be polished and ready when they finally ship. The priority is to deliver a stable, enjoyable experience for all players, regardless of their hardware. The message is clear: better to wait a bit longer and ensure genuine value than rush a product that leaves players frustrated with bugs, poor optimization, or mismatched pacing.
What this means for fans and early access
The delay means there will be no early access phase this month as previously hoped. For fans who have followed the development, there’s tempered disappointment paired with cautious optimism—the hope is that the extra time will yield a more refined game at launch. The studio commits to keeping players informed as it progresses, sharing milestones and technical updates along the way.
Looking ahead: what players can expect
While an exact new date remains TBA, the developers have signaled they will roll out incremental updates, performance improvements, and content refinements in the coming months. The emphasis will stay on delivering the full Kingmakers experience as advertised: a creative, mechanically deep clash that blends medieval warfare with modern armaments, presented with careful balance and accessible multiplayer options. Fans should anticipate a more polished product that lives up to the high concept that initially drew attention to the title.
Industry context: delays happen, quality matters
Delays of this kind are not uncommon in ambitious, feature-rich titles, especially when studios aim to maintain high standards in both content and performance. In an era of rapid digital releases, Redemption Road Games’ decision to prioritize quality over speed aligns with a broader industry trend: a gradual shift toward more transparent communication and betas that genuinely reflect the final experience. For Kingmakers, a strong start depends on delivering a thoughtfully balanced game that invites players to experience the unique blend it promises, rather than a rough prototype masquerading as a finished product.
Bottom line
Kingmakers’ delay, while disappointing to some, signals a commitment to a quality launch rather than a rushed early access window. With the core concept intact and the team focused on polishing, the game aims to offer a distinctive, memorable clash across eras—one where the thrill of medieval combat meets the edge of modern weaponry—all wrapped in a robust, bug-free package.
