Replaced: The indie cyberpunk game sets its release for fall 2026

Sad Cat Studios announced that Replaced, its action title with a cyberpunk aesthetic, finally has a release window: fall 2026. The video game, revealed at E3 2021, caught the industry's attention for its retrofuturistic pixel art setting and its narrative promises.

After multiple delays, the final version will be available on Xbox Series and PC, with day-one inclusion in Game Pass, although the Xbox One edition was left out of the plans.

Development marked by war and the studio's exile

Replaced's journey was shaped by factors beyond the creative realm. In 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine had a direct impact on the Sad Cat Studios team, which was then based in Belarus. The studio distanced itself from the local regime and spoke out against the war, choosing to move its operations base to Cyprus to ensure the safety of its workers.

The director, Yura Zhdanovich, explained that the move involved relocating staff, reorganizing processes, and facing financial and legal difficulties. This slowed down development, although it didn't affect the project's original vision.

Improvements and expectations surrounding Replaced

Since its unveiling, the game has been compared to franchises like Fallout and Cyberpunk 2077. In 2024, early versions showcased at fairs such as Summer Game Fest allowed for a look at progress in narrative, animations, and combat design.

The studio assures that its goal remains to deliver an original and carefully crafted experience, despite the obstacles that extended the timeline. A definitive date could be confirmed at The Game Awards 2025, where new developments are expected.

Impact for players and the market

The launch on Game Pass represents an incentive for subscribers, consolidating Microsoft's strategy to strengthen its indie catalog.

Replaced's story—centered on an artificial intelligence trapped in a human body within a dystopian world—keeps the community in suspense. Although the delays create uncertainty, the support from players, media, and publisher Thunderful Games sustains high expectations.

The case reflects the vulnerability of independent studios in the face of conflicts and adverse regulatory frameworks, but also the resilience of a team determined to fulfill its creative vision.