Marvel’s Avengers, the Crystal Dynamic superhero game mixing singleplayer and online multiplayer, has been delayed. Square Enix announced the delay Tuesday morning, confirming that the game’s originally planned May 15 release date would not longer be used. Instead, Marvel’s Avengers would receive a significant delay, moving the title into the back half of 2019. Those still excited for Marvel’s Avengers will now be able to play the game starting September 4.
Crystal Dynamics provided no specific reasons for the delay, though the studio did acknowledge there was still work to be done. “We will spend this additional development time focusing on fine-tuning and polishing the game to the high standards our fans expect and deserve,” is the official statement. With its time Crystal Dynamics writes that it’s still focused on providing an “original story-driven campaign,” “engaging co-op,” and “compelling content for years to come.”
Many of those following Marvel’s Avengers will agree that the game could use more work given how Square Enix has shown it since its announcement at E3 2019. In fact, fan response could very well be Square Enix’s reasoning for delaying the game. The negativity surrounding the game remains, given that E3 2019 is such a memorable event. A new release date in September will allow Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics another opportunity to present Marvel’s Avengers to the world.
Marvel’s Avengers’ new release date places it in a unique window. There are few to no other video games as-yet announced for September, though that’s likely to change in the months to come. September and October will become the last release window for current-generation games hoping to get ahead of the next-generation console launch window. While Marvel’s Avengers is alone for now, it’s likely to be a crowded window when it arrives. At the very least, Marvel’s Avengers has claimed its release date early so that other games can spread out around it.
The delay of Marvel’s Avengers marks what’s likely to be a healthy 2020 delay season. Delays often start around now as companies decide to move their current-year games into the next fiscal year. Square Enix has already delayed both Marvel’s Avengers, as well as Final Fantasy 7 Remake. At least in Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s case, it’s only being delayed until April 10. Unfortunately for Square Enix, that places Final Fantasy 7 Remake a week after Resident Evil 3 Remake and a week before Cyberpunk 2077. Don’t be surprised if more games are delayed in the weeks to come.
Marvel’s Avengers releases September 4 for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.
