Guilty Gear: Strive is the latest game to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The video game industry has seen a significant impact that includes game delays, shortages, and event cancellations. Arc System Works posted a notice on its website and social media accounts regarding the game delay.
Guilty Gear: Strive was planned to be released in late 2020, but the development has been delayed due to the new coronavirus. The release date has been changed to the developer can further improve the quality of the game according to feedback from players.
Arc System Works apologizes for the delay. The new release date is planned for Spring 2021 for the PlayStation 4.
Guilty Gear: Strive is the newest entry in the series. The game comes after the 20th anniversary of the fighting game. The new game announcement was made in 2019, with more characters being introduced afterward.
In late March, Arc System Works held a closed beta test for worldwide network testing. Players chosen to participate could choose from seven characters, including Faust. Anyone with a PlayStation 4 and connection to the internet, but not a PlayStation Plus subscription, was eligible to participate after signing up.
Future plans for the game are still unknown. Since the game will not be released until early 2021, there may be more closed betas in the future. Currently, Arc System Works is trying to improve the game after gathering player feedback from the first closed beta.
Guilty Gear: Strive’s core concept s to bring together new and existing players. The game is meant to be a brand new experience for the long-running series, to make it more unique and charismatic. The General Director of the Guilty Gear series, Daisuke Ishiwatari, stated that a “Game is a bridge that connects people.”
Due to COVID-19, Arc System Works also announced the news to cancel the Arc World Tour 2020. ARCREVO Japan 2020 was initially planned for July 2020, but will not be held as an independent event with further details to be announced in the future. The same goes for the Finals in Los Angeles, CA, plus ARCREVO Korea 2020 and DAREDEVIL Events.
Players interested in the upcoming game can still review the starter guides for Sol, Ky, May, Axl, Chipp, Potemkin, and Faust on Arc System Work’s official YouTube channel.
Guilty Gear: Strive is scheduled to launch in Spring 2021 for the PlayStation 4.