Previous business

There was a time, believe it or not, when a game’s release date was considered the beginning of the end of its story. Its marketing campaign and time in the preview-stage spotlight were over; it was now in the review section, and would be discussed on bulletin boards (under-30s, ask your dad) for a spell before being forgotten about in favour of the next big thing. As we take our first tentative steps into 2019, it’s worth reflecting on how different things are now – for better, and for worse.

Of all the games listed on the opposite page, only one can be expected to follow the well-worn path of the ‘traditional’ game. Sega’s

Judge Eyes, now known as Judgment, will arrive on western shores some six months after its launch in Japan, just like the bad old days.

For everything else, launch is likely just the start. It’s no coincidence that so many games these days are revealed with ‘ TBA’ next to the release date: it simply doesn’t matter that much, a mere foreword to the real meat of the thing. Hades, another Hype Roundup star, was a surprise announcement during this issue’s production, and was launched immediately into Early Access. Ring Of Elysium, Tencent’s winter-sports riff on Battle Royale, launched a few months ago in other territories. Now it is in Europe, Tencent’s years-long battle plan will kick in.

Even games that appear to be unsuited to the liveservice model will have a life long beyond launch. The porting scene has never been busier, nor more lucrative. Sayonara Wild Hearts, the new game from

Device 6 and Year Walk developer Simogo, is simply too good to remain a Switch exclusive for long. Amanita Design knows Creaks will be as good on a touchscreen as it is played with a mouse. On it goes. If, after all that, you’re wondering what purpose a magazine preview section has in the year 2019, you’re not alone. We’d be keen to hear your thoughts.