High on Life, the upcoming oddball first-person shooter from Squanch Games andRick and Mortyco-creator Justin Roiland, has the potential to be something special. Squanch’s previous games,AccountingandTrover Saves the Universe, have built its reputation and laid the stage forHigh on Life’s opportunity. Oddly enough, it’s those high expectations from Squanch itself that may have led to the recent decision to delay the game. Rather than throwHigh on Lifeup againstGod of WarandCall of Duty, Squanch wantsHigh on Lifeto have room to breathe.
Squanch creative officer Mikey Spano recently shared the thoughts of the studio in an interview with GamesRadar+. Spano explained that the release month thatHigh on Lifewas originally planned for, October, is very “crowded.” Spano specifically mentionsCall of DutyandGod of War, thoughGod of War Ragnaroklaunches in November. According to Spano, ifHigh on Lifeis “missing out on the conversation” due to these other game releases then it’s a “missed opportunity.”
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Games being delayed to fit into a better schedule is a frequent occurrence in the video game industry, though it’s often left unsaid. Video game fans typically don’t like hearing a game that they want has been pushed back in pursuit of improved market conditions. There’s no argument thatlaunching up againstCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2andGod of War Ragnarokwould be difficult for a game depending on word of mouth, though. Those games will suck a lot of the oxygen out of the room.
Squanch won’t be letting the extra time, around a month and a half, go to waste. On the previous release schedule, Spano says that while the game would have been great the team also believed that more time would allow for important polish time. Specifically, Act 2 ofHigh on Lifecould be brought to a similar level of polish as Act 1 and Act 3.
While Spano doesn’t mention it, there’s also another factor that could play a key role in the decision to delayHigh on Life.High on Lifeis an Xbox Game Pass Day One release. October is already packed with some major Xbox Game Pass titles,includingPersona 5 Royal,Scorn, andSignalis. December, on the other hand, is much more open. The delayed release works to Xbox’s benefit, too, which is a major partnership for Squanch forHigh on Life.
December is certainly a much better month for games that aren’t from an established franchise. The only two bigger games releasing the same week asHigh on Lifeis theNintendo Switch exclusiveDragon Quest Treasuresand niche bullet hell shooterAkai Katana Shinfrom Cave. Where it is now,High on Lifehas room to be a part of the conversation, exactly what Squanch wants for the game.
High on Lifereleases December 13 on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
