The highly anticipated game, The Wolf Among Us 2, has been delayed beyond its originally planned release in 2023, according to a tweet from developer Telltale. In an interview with IGN, CEO Jamie Ottilie explained that the delay is a result of the studio’s commitment to avoiding burnout and crunch, as well as their decision to switch from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5. The game, which is a sequel to the popular episodic narrative based on Vertigo’s Fables graphic novels, was initially announced at The Game Awards in 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic presented numerous challenges for the newly re-launched company.
For those unfamiliar with the backstory, the original Telltale Games filed for bankruptcy in 2018, resulting in significant layoffs and the cancellation of planned releases, including The Wolf Among Us 2. In 2019, LCG Entertainment acquired Telltale’s assets and relaunched the company, bringing on industry veterans and previous developers who had worked on acclaimed titles like The Walking Dead and Batman: The Telltale Series. However, at the time of the game’s announcement, the development team was still in its early stages, needing approximately two years to fully assemble. In retrospect, Ottilie admits that revealing the title in 2019 was a strategic move to secure funding and support, but the pandemic ultimately hindered development and hiring efforts.
Furthermore, Telltale recently made the decision to transition to Unreal Engine 5, as the developers and artists who had been working with Unreal Engine 4 felt that the new features were worth the investment. This switch requires a significant amount of reworking, presenting the team with a choice between releasing an unfinished game or subjecting their staff to crunch. Ottilie, however, decided on neither option and instead opted to push the game’s release beyond 2023.
In the interview, Ottilie emphasized his commitment to maintaining a healthy work culture and avoiding burnout, stating, “I’ve done [crunch], and I don’t want to do it again, and it’s not fair to ask it.” He acknowledges that recruitment has been incredibly challenging over the past two years due to COVID-19, labor market conditions, and the growth of the games industry. AdHoc Studio, comprised of former Telltale Games employees, is assisting in the development of The Wolf Among Us 2.
The Wolf Among Us 2 serves as a prequel to the Fables graphic novels, taking place six months after the events of the first game. Protagonist Bigby Wolf leads an investigation into a new mystery, potentially involving characters like Tin-Man and Scarecrow from ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ The game is set in a wintry New York covered in snow, with Snow White spearheading a new administration. A trailer released last year confirmed that The Wolf Among Us 2 will interweave the worlds of Mundies (humans) and Fables (fairy tale characters).
Similar to previous entries from Telltale Games, The Wolf Among Us 2 will be released in an episodic format, consisting of five episodes. However, unlike the older Telltale regime, where players had to wait months for each new episode to be developed, this game will only begin rolling out once all episodes are ready, ensuring a steady release schedule. It should be noted that the studio still has The Expanse: A Telltale Series slated for release this year, in collaboration with Nine Deck Games.
The revised release window for The Wolf Among Us 2 is sometime in 2024.
[Embed video: “The Wolf Among Us 2 Official Trailer” – hyperlink included]
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