During Microsoft’s E3 2021 presentation,Redfallwas clearly intended to be one of its big-ticket items. The conference included some major reveals likeStarfield’s release date and confirmation thatThe Outer Worlds 2was in the works. Nevertheless,Redfallgot the final slot in the presentation, leaving fans with thoughts about the multiplayer vampire-hunting action. WhileRedfallbelongs to a rising trend ofLeft 4 Deadsuccessors, it distinguishes itself well with a unique premise, combining science-fiction and fantasy to pit a new style of vampire against a team of protagonists with practical and supernatural skills.
While that premise is compelling,Redfallmight have a serious problem.Redfall’s high-profile announcement during E3 2021suggested Microsoft planned on touting it as a major upcoming game, yet it hasn’t gotten much publicity in recent months. That could be because Arkane Studios has been too focused on other projects, but even soRedfallis left with visibility issues. There’s only a few months left to go beforeRedfall’s summer 2022 release window, yet fans have heard and seen little. The vampire hunting title needs to get some time in the spotlight soon, or else it could struggle to make its voice heard at launch.
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Redfall Needs Attention
For the first few months that followed its reveal, it made sense thatRedfallwasn’t an advertising priority for Arkane, Bethesda Softworks, and Microsoft. Arkane was in the final months of development forDeathloopat the time, and it was running a spirited advertising campaign for the FPS with a time-loop twist.Deathloopnaturally deserved the bulk of Arkane’s attention in the months just before and after its release. However,Deathloop’s release is several months old now, and Arkane seemingly hasn’t shifted its attention toRedfall.
It’s strange to think Arkane arrangedDeathlooptrailers for just about everyPlayStation State of Playpossible, but it hasn’t madeRedfallnearly as visible. Fans still only have the reveal cinematic, butRedfallreally ought to be getting theDeathlooptreatment right now, especially considering how stacked 2022 is in terms of game releases. The Switch hasBreath of the Wild 2andBayonetta 3on the way, while PlayStation users haveHorizon Forbidden WestandGod of War Ragnarokto look forward to. Xbox will getStarfieldlater this year, too.Redfallneeds to show its face now, or else hotly demanded games could keep it out of conversation.
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When Will Redfall Return?
Redfall’s absence thus far is especially concerning because it’s hard to say when it’ll appear again. Arkane hasn’t changed the summer 2022 release window, which means it could make an appearance atGeoff Keighley’s Summer Game Festor the all-digital E3 2022. At the same time,Redfallcould miss these major events depending on how early or late it releases in the summer. Since Arkane has said so little aboutRedfall,it’s difficult to predict the game’s opportunities.
In a time when delays are more common than ever, the silence aroundRedfallcould be a sign that Arkane simply needs more time. Insiders recently claimed thatRedfallmight get delayed, and there’s not much evidence to refute that claim at the moment. Unless Arkane turns around and starts revealingRedfallinformation regularly throughout the spring, there could very well be a release date change on the way. Regardless of whetherRedfallchanges its release or not, it’s time for Arkane to start showing some excitement about the game like it did forDeathloop.This year should be competitive in the games industry, soRedfallneeds to start fighting for attention.
Redfallreleases in summer 2022 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
