The times of comparatively brief growth cycles for big-budget AAA video games appears like a distant reminiscence, as it is not unusual for titles to spend a few years in growth. Lately, a five-year manufacturing cycle is not unusual in any respect, and a few video games take the higher a part of a decade to be launched. Such prolonged waits aren’t intrinsically dangerous, as video games like Crimson Desert and Doom 2016 have been definitely worth the wait.
However proper now? Quite a few studios have been toiling away on their respective initiatives, retaining out of the highlight and providing little to no updates alongside the way in which. A few of them have undergone drastic overhauls behind the scenes, and others have been introduced manner too early with slick teaser trailers that have been designed to excite followers andrecruit folks to the venture. There is a good likelihood that you just might need forgotten about lots of the video games beneath, however in the event you’re seeking to refresh your reminiscence, you’ll be able to try our record beneath of the most important video games nonetheless trapped in growth hell.
Past Good & Evil 2
- First introduced: 2008
We’re quick approaching the 20-year mark since Past Good & Evil 2 was first introduced, and within the years since,, it has turn into the sport business’s Sasquatch–a creature of legend that we’re sure exists, however we have now no actual proof to show it. The sport was re-announced, this time as an open-world prequel, in 2017, however we have solely gotten occasional updates since then, and principally nothing of substance over the past a number of years.
So what is the present state of this long-in-development venture? Following the structural overhaul at Ubisoft, a number of video games have been outright canceled, however Past Good & Evil 2 has managed to outlive that cull. Ubisoft inventive director Fawzi Mesmar confirmed work continues to be continuing on it, and as of late final 12 months, Ubisoft was truly hiring for it.
The Wolf Amongst Us 2
- First introduced: 2017
Within the years since The Wolf Amongst Us 2 was introduced, the marketplace for narrative-adventure video games has modified considerably. Telltale Included as we knew it folded in 2018 and was then relaunched as Telltale Video games after LCG Leisure acquired a number of key Telltale belongings. The Wolf Amongst Us 2 was re-announced on the 2019 version of The Recreation Awards, and since then, there have been sporadic updates on it. In late 2024, Telltale addressed rumors that the sport was liable to being shelved as a consequence of monetary difficulties and inside stress, following important layoffs in September 2023 that affected a lot of the workforce engaged on it.
State of Decay 3
- First introduced: 2020
Considered one of a number of Xbox initiatives that has been effervescent away for what appears like an eternity, State of Decay 3 is still in development. One of many newer updates for the zombie-survival sport got here in January 2026, when Head of Xbox Recreation Studios Craig Duncan commented on its present state. “I’ve performed a number of visits to that studio within the final six to eight months,” Duncan stated. “I’ve sat and performed the sport with the workforce a bunch of occasions. It is approaching rather well. We’re very excited concerning the franchise and its potential. So I’ll definitely see much more of it within the coming 12 months.”
With a busy 2026 forward of it that features video games like Forza Horizon 6, Fable, Kiln, and Halo; Marketing campaign Advanced, State of Decay 3 is probably going being stored in reserve for 2027, however the excellent news is that we could be getting a brand new have a look at it quickly. Undead Labs just lately revealed that it will be holding playtests for State of Decay 3 all year long.
BioShock 4
- First introduced: 2019
The subsequent BioShock sport has been in growth for a lengthytime, but it surely does not seem like it is at risk of being canceled but. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed the lengthy development cycle in November 2025, promising that it will ultimately come out. These feedback got here within the wake of BioShock 4 reportedly present process an overhaul and layoffs at developer Cloud Chamber that led to the departure of studio head Kelley Gilmore, with former Diablo boss Rod Fergusson taking over.
Star Wars: Eclipse
- First introduced: 2021
Star Wars: Eclipse was introduced an extended, very long time in the past, and since then, it has been nothing however radio silence from developer Quantic Dream. In 2025, Quantic Dream stated the sport was still on track, however current experiences recommend that its future might be uncertain. The way forward for the sport may hinge on the studio’s upcoming free-to-play multiplayer title Spellcasters Chronicles, and progress has reportedly been sluggish on Eclipse. “Ought to Spellcasters fail commercially, NetEase is anticipated to reevaluate its dedication to the studio and will decide to discontinue additional funding,” a supply stated to Insider Gaming just lately.
It is also value noting that story components for the sport may have been intentionally leaked again in 2022, reportedly as a approach to gauge curiosity within the title.
Star Wars: Knights of the Outdated Republic Remake
- First introduced: 2021
The Star Wars: Knights of the Outdated Republic remake has had a rocky growth path ever because it was first introduced. Again in 2025, it was claimed that developer Aspyr had been faraway from the venture and that Mad Head Video games–the studio at present engaged on Hellraiser: Revival–was put in cost. That very same report additionally claimed {that a} remake of Star Wars: Knights of the Outdated Republic 2 had been put in carbonite, however Saber’s chief inventive officer Tim Willits just lately provided a quick replace on it. “Sure, it’s nonetheless in growth. That is all I can say,” Willits said.
Past that, there hasn’t been a peep or perhaps a leak of the sport, because it stays extra well-hidden than a Sith lord through the Excessive Republic period.
Marvel’s Iron Man
- First introduced: 2022
EA as soon as had a number of Marvel video games in growth, however final 12 months noticed considered one of them canceled. The Black Panther venture got here to a screeching halt following the closure of its developer, Cliffhanger Video games, however what of EA Motive’s Iron Man sport? Following EA’s announcement that it was promoting itself for $55 billion to varied buyers and going non-public, many individuals have been questioning if Iron Man and the thriller Marvel venture have been in jeopardy, however thus far, there hasn’t been a peep from EA on their standing.
The latest replace for the sport got here in April 2025, as a job itemizing revealed a number of extra particulars on the venture. The itemizing known as for a level-design professional with expertise in single-player action-RPG video games, and the venture has reportedly made additional growth strides since then. Apart from a teaser picture for the sport, not a single screenshot or teaser trailer for Iron Man has been launched but.
Marvel’s Blade
- First introduced: 2023
Considered one of a number of Marvel video games that have been introduced within the early 2020s, Marvel’s Blade was revealed with a flashy trailer in 2023. Since then, developer Arkane has stored quiet on the venture, releasing the occasional screenshot that highlights how Blade must tackle an army of Vampires that have invaded Paris. In December 2025, Arkane Lyon’s co-creative director stated that the sport continues to be in growth and that the studio has excessive requirements that it needs to achieve for this launch. Contemplating that Xbox’s new leadership has pushed forward with a gamer-centric course, there’s nonetheless hope that Blade may lastly see the sunshine of day.
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra
- First introduced: 2021
With a photorealistic presentation, Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra appears to be like prefer it’ll push present console and PC gaming {hardware} to the bleeding edge of what is attainable. Set throughout World Struggle II in Nazi-occupied Paris, the sport has been hit with several delays because it was first introduced, and its present launch window means that it will not be out for quite some time.
“Our aim is to ship unforgettable, premium video games that honor the characters and worlds we’re lucky to work with. Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is an bold venture, and we’re dedicated to making sure it meets the extent of high quality that our workforce, gamers, and followers anticipate,” Skydance Media stated in 2025. “To totally notice our imaginative and prescient for Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, we have made the choice to shift our launch window past early 2026.”
Ark 2
- First introduced: 2020
We do not know when Ark 2 shall be out precisely, however we do know that it is making the smart option to keep away from being caught within the GTA 6 blast zone. Developer Studio Wildcard initially introduced the sequel all the way in which again in 2020, and the brand new launch date window for the sport is a nebulous 2028. Ark 2 was initially scheduled to launch in 2023, however a number of delays noticed Wildcard undertake a low profile because it continued to work on the venture. The sport blends the survival-crafting and dinosaur-taming motion of the unique with souls-like fight, and Vin Diesel is concerned within the venture as its president of creative convergence.
Splinter Cell remake
- First introduced: 2021
5 years have handed because the Splinter Cell remake was first announced, and since then, there have been some huge organizational adjustments at Ubisoft. In January 2026, the corporate formally revealed the way it had restructured into a number of completely different Creative Houses targeted on sure franchises, with the Splinter Cell remake falling underneath Inventive Home 2 and developer Ubisoft Toronto, a division targeted on aggressive and cooperative shooter experiences that additionally led growth on Splinter Cell Blacklist again in 2013. Worryingly, around 40 developers were laid off from the studio just lately, however Ubisoft says that Splinter Cell hasn’t been canceled.
“The Toronto studio continues growth on the Splinter Cell sport and serves as a co-development accomplice on Rainbow Six, together with supporting extra co-development initiatives,” Ubisoft stated.
Little Satan Inside
- First introduced: 2015
An action-adventure sport that was efficiently crowdfunded on Kickstarter over a decade in the past, Little Satan Inside has been MIA for a number of years now. Through the October 2021 PlayStation State of Play, a launch date of 2022 was teased, however that launch window got here and went. Just lately, developer Neostream provided an apology to backers, explaining in a 2024 update that the workforce had undergone quite a few adjustments over time and that the studio continues to be aiming to complete Little Satan Inside. There is no launch date but, however the studio did say on the time that it had “began discussions” concerning publishing.
Gang of Dragon
First introduced: 2022
Issues are wanting dire for Nagoshi Studio and its debut sport, Gang of Dragon. Yakuza and Like A Dragon veteran Toshihiro Nagoshi’s studio has been engaged on the sport for a number of years now, however a current report prompt that the way forward for each the sport and the studio is in danger following NetEase’s decision to pull its funding. In accordance with Bloomberg, the sport nonetheless wants round $44 million in funding to be accomplished, and a take care of NetEase to cowl the price of the sport belongings already created has but to be finalized.
The report additionally added that “NetEase is just open to negotiations if the studio will pay its manner out,” and that it will likely be pressured to pay “the corresponding prices if it needs to maintain the belongings or model.”
Mission Awakening
- First introduced: 2016
No matter occurred to Mission Awakening? Initially introduced in 2016 as a “high-end console sport” in 2016 by Japanese studio Cygames, particulars on the venture have slowly trickled out over the past decade. Following a brief gameplay teaser seen behind closed doorways at E3 2018, the game has been described as an open-world action-RPG set in a world of excessive fantasy and targeted on fight, with some multiplayer components thrown in for good measure.
Past that, a quick glimpse of Mission Awakening was proven at a Cygames Tech Convention session in 2021, and it is nonetheless listed as an in-development venture in line with monetary paperwork from Cygames’ dad or mum firm, CyberAgent.
Plan 8
First introduced: 2019
Yet one more long-in-development sport, Plan 8 was first revealed as an bold MMO shooter from Pearl Abyss. Growth has continued over time, however Plan 8’s sci-fi world of exosuits and mechanized threats has taken a backseat to different video games, like that humble open-world action-RPG you might need heard about recently, known as Crimson Desert.
Dokev
- First introduced: 2019
Talking of Pearl Abyss video games, Dokev was additionally one of many video games introduced through the G-Star 2019 convention in Busan, South Korea. Dokev was pitched as a collective MMORPG with colourful vibes, and with the discharge of Crimson Desert, Pearl Abyss has extra builders accessible to work on the venture. The studio estimates that “it would take about two to a few years” for Dokev to lastly see the sunshine of day.
FairGame$
- First introduced: 2023
Sony’s grand plan to release several live-service games has hit a number of street bumps over time. The company says it’s still committed to live-service video games regardless of current stumbles, however Fairgame$ was conspicuously absent from its Company Report for 2025. In manufacturing at Sony’s Haven Studios, the developer has misplaced key personnel like studio boss Jade Raymond and sport director Daniel Drapeau over time. As of September 2025, FairGame$ was stated to be coming out in Spring 2026.
Mass Impact 5
- First introduced: 2020
5 years after a brand new Mass Impact sport was first introduced, BioWare continues to be staying mum on the venture. The latest replace got here throughout 2025’s N7 day–November 7–with government producer Michael Gamble commenting that the following entry within the Mass Impact collection stays in growth. Gamble did not straight tackle current rumors about BioWare doubtlessly being shut down or offered off as a part of EA’s $55 billion sale to an investor consortium led by Saudi Arabia.
“We now have numerous universe to cowl, numerous options to construct, and many romances to determine. We’re excited by what we’re constructing, and we promise you: Once we’re prepared, it will be numerous enjoyable to indicate,” Gamble stated.
Murderer’s Creed: Codename Hexe
- First revealed: 2022
4 years on, Murderer’s Creed: Codename Hexe stays a thriller. Nothing concerning the sport’s setting or characters has been formally revealed, and the venture recently lost its creative director, Ubisoft veteran Clint Hocking. Described as “a very different” type of Assassin’s Creed, the sport is reportedly targeted on witchcraft and will allow players to possess a cat. In a 2026 update, Ubisoft stated it was nonetheless dedicated to the venture, and it teased followers with a “distinctive, darker, narrative-driven Murderer’s Creed expertise,” set throughout a pivotal second in historical past.
The Elder Scrolls 6
- First introduced: 2018
The Elder Scrolls 6 has turn into one thing of a meme at this level, as Bethesda is not in a rush to pump out a brand new chapter in its fantasy action-RPG collection. Bethesda’s Todd Howard just lately stated that the corporate is targeted on its present video games and updates for them, and he jokingly stated that followers ought to forget about that 2018 reveal solely. Beforehand, Howard questioned if Bethesda ought to have introduced The Elder Scrolls 6 so early, however he did tease that it might return to the traditional roots of older Bethesda video games.
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